Home

The Ultimate Art Deco Cheat Sheet

We’re breaking down the signature elements of the 1920s' boldest design movement, from striking geometries to rare woods.

Posted on
African-inspired furnishings in the house of gallerist Félix Marcilhac, including a console by Pierre Legrain, a round vase by Jean Dunans, and sculptures by Gustav Miklos. Photo featured in Art Deco Style by Assouline.

If you ever find yourself enamored by New York's iconic Chrysler Building—with its metallic sunbursts and automotive-inspired details—or drawn to the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, where angular reliefs and stylized motifs transform classical grandeur into modern luxury, it's not by accident.It’s the spirit of the Art Deco movement,which emerged as more than just a style, but a global sensation that captured the optimistic spirit of the 1920s and 30s. While it made its formal debut at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, its roots drew from a fascinating mix of influences: French luxury traditions, ancient Egyptian motifs (sparked by the discovery of King Tut's tomb), and artistic movements from Cubism to Fauvism. What began in France's ateliers would soon captivate the world, transforming everything from Mumbai's cinemas to Havana's hotels to Radio City Music Hall's legendary interiors.

While Paris set the tone with handcrafted luxury pieces for the wealthy, the United States democratized the style, bringing Art Deco's bold geometries and dramatic lines to the masses through department stores and mass production. The style's ability to blend opulence with modernity—seen in everything from the Chrysler Building's iconic crown to the sleek chrome cocktail shakers found in middle-class homes—made it the perfect expression of an era that craved both glamour and progress.

Today, we’re taking on everything you need to know about the Art Deco design movement, including its conception, ownable design elements and how to incorporate it into your home.


This 1925 watercolor design for Paris's prestigious École Boulle—a legendary school of decorative arts and craftsmanship—captures Art Deco's bold color confidence: deep sapphire walls crowned with gold, grounded by dramatic black furniture. Design by André Fréchet, Pierre and Henri Martin Lardin. Courtesy of Getty Images

Finding Your Way Back to Bold 

The color story of Art Deco reads like the guest list at a Jazz Age soirée: emerald green dancing with deep sapphire, while gold and silver mingle with bold black in a sophisticated tango of contrasts. But here's the modern secret – you don't need to paint your entire living room in peacock blue to capture this spirit. Start with a foundation of sophisticated neutrals, then introduce jewel tones through velvet upholstery or silk pillows. A lacquered side table in deep burgundy, metallic wallpaper catching light in your entryway, or even just brass hardware against a dark backdrop – these are your entrance tickets to the bold side of history.

In Yves Saint Laurent's 1976 Paris apartment, the natural world takes center stage through sophisticated layers: a dramatic floral-motif Boisseau rug in deep burgundy and cream, leopard-print throw pillows, and an exotic palm landscape painting, all set against rich wood paneling. The space showcases Art Deco's mastery of elevating natural patterns into high art. Photo by Pascal Hinous via Getty Images

When Nature Went Nouveau 

Forget everything you thought you knew about animal prints – Art Deco's take on the natural world is anything but ordinary. The movement transformed zebra stripes and leopard spots from safari clichés into sophisticated statements, while stylized gazelles and peacock feathers became the calling cards of Jazz Age sophistication. Today's approach? Think small but mighty. A pair of vintage-inspired crane bookends, a geometric butterfly motif on a throw pillow, or a stylized palm frond pattern on an accent wall can bring that perfect touch of fauna and flora without turning your home into a glamorous jungle.

At London's Ivy Restaurant, every element of this staircase speaks Art Deco's geometric language: from the stepped progression upward to the sculptural brass balustrade's dramatic angles, all illuminated by geometric stained glass that transforms natural light into an architectural statement. Photo by Peter Dazeley via Getty Images

The Shape of Things to Come

Geometry defines Art Deco's most iconic architectural achievements, from the stepped silhouettes of Manhattan skyscrapers to the precise angles of Parisian facades. The movement's most commanding structures reveal this mastery: stepped forms rising skyward in elegant tiers, angular facades creating dramatic shadow play, chevrons and zigzags turning buildings into sculptural statements. Modern interpretation of these bold geometric principles doesn't demand architectural overhaul. Consider adding architectural interest through stepped crown molding, incorporating angular built-ins, or highlighting existing linear elements with metallic inlays. Even in today's interiors, a geometric Art Deco touch – whether through a stepped metal fireplace surround or a faceted pendant light – can turn a simple space into an architectural moment.

The circular entrance hall at Eltham Palace reveals Art Deco's masterful approach to wood paneling, where Australian blackbean veneer transforms an entire room into a work of art. The iconic 1930s space features meticulously book-matched panels that wrap the walls in warm, richly grained patterns, while white upholstered furniture and a geometric carpet provide striking contrast. Photo by English Heritage via Getty Images.

Rare Woods, Rich History

Art Deco elevates wood from mere building material to an art form itself, with rare veneers like Macassar ebony and zebrawood taking center stage in the movement's most coveted pieces. These distinctive grains – tiger-striped, geometric, almost painterly in their patterns – become natural works of art, often arranged in intricate sunburst patterns or bold, symmetrical compositions. Today's approach honors this material reverence: think statement credenzas with book-matched walnut veneer, built-in shelving that showcases wood's natural geometries, or an accent wall in richly grained panels. Even a single piece, like a rosewood side table or a zebra wood-framed mirror, can bring that signature Art Deco sophistication to a contemporary space.

In this Miami Beach living room, Art Deco's signature material mix comes alive: chrome details and glass surfaces catch the light, while plush velvet upholstery and geometric textiles add softness and texture. Photo by Jeffrey Greenberg via Getty Images.

The Mix of Materials

Art Deco's true magic lies in its masterful mix of materials – where chrome catches light alongside smoky mirrors, and lacquered surfaces play against rich velvets. This isn’t just about luxury; it’s about creating depth through contrast. The modern approach maintains this delicate dance: pair high-gloss surfaces with matte finishes, juxtapose gleaming metallics against textured fabrics, layer mirrors strategically to amplify natural light. A chrome-framed mirror, black lacquered console, or glass-topped accent table can create that signature Deco dynamism without overwhelming your space.

In London's historic Rivoli Ballroom, multiple tiers of lighting create the quintessential Art Deco drama: tiered crystal chandeliers serve as centerpieces, while crimson lanterns and wall sconces add depth and warmth, showing how thoughtful light layering can transform architecture into theater. Photo by Sam Mellish via Getty Images.

The Drama of Light

Art Deco understands light as both art and architecture – from geometric sconces casting dramatic shadows to tiered chandeliers creating cascades of illumination. Today's interpretation maintains this theatrical approach but with restraint: consider a pair of angular wall sconces flanking a fireplace, a stepped ceiling fixture defining a dining space, or backlit mirrors adding subtle drama to a foyer. The key is layering: combine statement pieces with subtle accent lighting to create that characteristic Art Deco glow without turning your home into a movie palace.

More From the Style Series

The Classics Collection Art Deco Style
$105
The Classics Collection Bauhaus Style
$105
The Classics Collection 18th Century Style
$105
The Classics Collection Orientalism Style
$105
The Classics Collection Pop Art Style
$105

More from Culture Lounge

Lifestyle

How Interior Designer Ken Fulk Creates Cinematic Spaces

The jet-setting designer reveals how he stays inspired and adds a sense of theater, drama and whimsy to each design project he tackles.
Culture

The Enchanting World of François-Xavier Lalanne

In anticipation of Lalanne's upcoming auction presented by Christie's, learn about the French sculptor and visionary.