Your Guide to Modern Art Deco: A Fresh Take on This Classic Style
Upgrade modern spaces with an Art Deco revival.
Looking for ways to add style and interest to modern interiors? Try a modernized Art Deco approach with sleek metallic accents, geometric prints, and pops of jewel tones. Keep reading to learn all about modern Art Deco and how to replicate the look in your own home.
What Is Modern Art Deco Style?
Modern Art Deco design, also known as Art Deco revival, is a modernized version of traditional Art Deco style. It combines the best of Art Deco interiors with clean-lined furnishings and pared-back color palettes for the perfect blend of roaring ‘20s and contemporary style.
Art Deco vs. Modern Art Deco
Art Deco style rose in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s as a way to contrast the Art Nouveau movement's emphasis on ornate designs and floral prints. Modern Art Deco style brings the best of classic Art Deco interiors into the 21st century home and refines it for a more contemporary look. For example, both styles incorporate geometric prints including chevrons/zig-zags, shells/scalloped shapes, pyramids/triangles, sunbursts, and stepped forms – modern Art Deco design simply narrows it down and showcases one or two patterns through wallpaper, floor coverings, or decorative accents so to not overwhelm the space.
Review What Is Art Deco? to learn more about this style.
How to Incorporate Modern Art Deco Style in Your Home
It's easy to create a modernized Art Deco aesthetic in your home with a few stylish furniture and decor swaps. Keep reading to get the look.
Stick to a Lighter Color Palette
(Shop this image: pink Art Deco wallpaper, modern linear chandeliers, blue barrel chairs, brown curved sofas, and black marble side tables.)
Traditional Art Deco interiors use rich, dark colors and jewel tones for large-scale surfaces like walls, floors, and statement furniture to exude luxury and decadence. Think black with gold outlines, dark teal, navy, emerald, ruby, and other saturated shades. In contrast, modern Art Deco interiors seek to lift and brighten with light color schemes consisting of white, ivory, beige, tan, pink, and pastel or minty shades of green. This style then pairs these light colors with classic Art Deco–inspired motifs.
If you love rich color schemes, don't worry! There's still a place for saturated hues in this modern take on Art Deco. Check out the next section for how to incorporate them.
(Shop this image: pink Art Deco wallpaper, blue barrel chairs, yellow throw pillows, gold pedestal tables, and modern pink vases.)
Jewel tones include saturated colors like sapphire blue, turquoise or teal, emerald green, ruby red, citrine yellow, and amethyst purple. As mentioned in the previous section, traditional Art Deco interiors love to use jewel tones for walls, floors, and statement furniture. In modern Art Deco spaces, jewel tones are used more as bold color pops to add interest to neutral spaces without compromising the light and airy feel.
Take the image above as an example. The space uses shades of beige and light pink as the main foundation and adds jewel tones through the sapphire blue barrel chair and the citrine yellow throw pillow. Even the wallpaper – while Art Deco–inspired – sticks to a lighter color palette with rich blue and gold detailing to add depth and interest.
Tip!
Interested to learn more about jewel tones? Check out What Are Jewel Tones & How to Decorate With Them and How to Decorate With Jewel Tones for a Glam Space.
Layer Art Deco Patterns With Abstract Forms
(Shop this image: dark teal Art Deco wallpaper, pink abstract art, pink office chairs, blue desks, and modern wood table lamps.)
You can also achieve a modern take on Art Deco by juxtaposing Art Deco prints with abstract shapes or fluid designs. Because traditional Art Deco is all about linear shapes and geometric patterns, the introduction of more abstract shapes serves as the perfect segway into modern design. Pair Art Deco–inspired geometric wallpaper with abstract wall art. Contrast chevron wood flooring with a free-form coffee table. Layer throw pillows with Art Deco motifs with abstract-shaped throw pillows.
(Shop this image: round silver coffee tables, Art Deco wall mirrors, white and gold chairs, and brown leather chesterfield sofas.)
Modern interiors love to use matte finishes and black metal details for furnishings, light fixtures, and decorative accents because they create a streamlined, functional feel, while Art Deco interiors prioritize sleek gold and silver accents. For a modern Art Deco approach, incorporate modern furnishings with gold or silver frames/chair legs or introduce an Art Deco mirror with a mixed metal frame to add a luxe look and feel to modern spaces.
(Shop this image: pink channel-tufted accent chairs with metal frames and clear pedestal side tables.)
Traditional Art Deco interior design features rich velvet-upholstered furnishings, vintage-inspired forms, and decadent details to highlight luxury and glamour. Modernized Art Deco style takes these elements and streamlines or combines them with contemporary silhouettes and neutral color palettes for an up-to-date Art Deco feel. Here are a few examples of modern Art Deco furniture to include in your space:
- Scalloped accent chairs, sofas, or bed frames with light-colored velvet upholstery and gold/sliver tapered legs
- Sunburst wood sideboards with hairpin or tapered legs
- Sleek glass coffee tables with gold or silver frames
- Curved sofas with velvet upholstery
(Shop this image: gray barrel chairs, tiered crystal chandeliers, square white ottomans, and boho wood sideboards.)
Crystal light fixtures are an easy yet stunning way to infuse modern spaces with Art Deco vibes and a touch of ornate detail. Whether you hang up a crystal chandelier, install crystal wall sconces, or don tabletops with crystal lamps, you're sure to make a statement. The best part? The streamlined look of modern interiors will make the crystal details stand out even more!
(Shop this image: white and black Art Deco rugs and round gold-framed side tables.)
Feature light-colored geometric rugs like the stepped rug pictured above for a modern-inspired take on Art Deco decor. Extra points if the rug has gold inlays or jewel tones to pop against its neutral foundation.
(Shop this image: gold bar carts, navy solid-color wallpaper, white flower arrangements, and pink accent chairs.)
Gold bar carts are a staple in Art Deco spaces, and they're easy to make modern. Simply choose a clean-lined silhouette with a gold frame. You can also look for options with white marble – a material that's found in both modern and Art Deco spaces!
Tip!
Since you're familiar with modern Art Deco interior design, check out these similar styles:
Jazz Aesthetic: All About This Free-Spirited & Rhythmic Style
Hollywood Regency Style: Your Guide to This Glam Design
