Modern Returns: How to Decorate Interior in New Art Deco Style

Although the heyday of Art Deco coincided with the 1930s, this style keeps making a comeback again and again. Together with the Design and Interior Center "Ekpostroy on Nakhimovskoe", we tell about the resurgence of interest in Art Deco and its new rules.

What are the features of modern Art Deco?

Art Deco is always about luxury. Compared to its original form, modern interpretation of this style is calmer and more subdued. New Art Deco has even more defined, orderly lines, narrow verticals, and angular patterns.

Soft, rounded curves are also present, but they are monotonous and graphic—as in the design of cement tiles MOSAIC DEL SUR or interior door LʼPorte Alfa.

Shiny metals, fabrics, and mirror surfaces—just as before—are the calling card of this style.

Chair "Chelsea"

Wallpaper Rasch Textil Comtesse

Interior Door L’Porte Alfa

Rug Italian Fresco

Suspended Chandelier Berliner Messinglampen

Wall Panel from Thermoyesna Wood

Table Lamp Lawyer TL1 Cromo

Cement Tile Mosaic Del Sur

Accent Table Terni

What is needed to create an interior in the style of modern Art Deco?

First, appropriate finishing. This can be several rows of vertical moldings, wallpapers with graphic patterns or stripes—for example, Rasch Textil Comtesse—flooring and wall coverings made from expensive wood species or their imitations, such as a wall panel from Thermoyesna wood.

Secondly, proper furniture and accessories are indispensable—sofas, armchairs, and stools with high backs, straight legs, and simple curves—as in the case of the "Chelsea" chair.

Third, lighting fixtures such as chandeliers, pendant lights, wall sconces, or wall brackets play an important role in decorating interiors in this style.

Lighting fixtures with a design reminiscent of an Americanized version of Art Deco—streamline modern, like the suspended chandelier Berliner Messinglampen or table lamp Lawyer TL1 Cromo—would be suitable.

Design: Elite Housing Studio of Alexander Akimenkov

What color palette to follow?

The palette of this style never tolerated bright, open hues. Therefore, choose finishes, furniture, and decor items in neutral tones—white, gray, and black—or gold or silver.

Metallic fabrics and accessories are also welcome if they feature structured, graphic patterns—as in the Italian Fresco rug. You can locally introduce complex red shades, which work especially well beside gold.

What else to add?

Animalistic patterns and prints, imitation of zebra or snake skin or fish scales, pair nicely with modern Art Deco if used as accents—for example, on cushions or chair upholstery.

Another harmonious addition would be accessories with complex vertical structures, such as the base of the Terni Accent accent table. You could also include a screen with carved geometric patterns in the decor.

Design: Concept 58

How not to overdo it?

Pay attention to symmetry in the arrangement. This highlights the connection of Art Deco with classical styles and prevents an overabundance of accessories from overwhelming the space. Matte white surfaces can help balance out shiny accents.

What styles to combine with?

Despite the fact that modern Art Deco interiors are rather neutral and light, it’s better not to mix this style with others. However, you can try adding a few details in contemporary classic.

9 Ideas for Interior in the Style of Modern Art Deco

A neutral sofa can be adapted to this style by scattering cushions in metallic fabric covers.

Statuettes in the form of elongated silhouettes—a popular element of Art Deco, just like animal motifs.

Refined style is well supported by futuristic lighting fixtures on high bases.

Art Deco-style patterns and designs are easily recognizable by the combination of black and gold...and angular, sharp lines.

In wallpaper and tile designs, ornate symbols are often used.

Gold or its imitation fits perfectly into an interior in this style.

Graphic screens and partitions logically complete the look of modern Art Deco.

If you're unsure which lighting fixture to choose, pay attention to wall brackets shaped like asymmetrical elongated "columns"—this is a guaranteed fit for the style.