Art Deco. Just the sound of it feels like velvet dipped in gold. Think jazz, think Gatsby, think sleek chrome and women with finger waves sipping cocktails under chandeliers. It’s bold and classy and kinda mad all at once. So if your living room feels a bit, well… beige, you’re in the right place.
Let’s take a trip back to the roaring 20s and 30s—but keep it fresh, yeah? Here’s ten glorious, cheeky, sometimes outrageous ways to inject some pure-deco delight into your space.
1. Mirror, Mirror – But Not Just on the Wall
You can’t whisper Art Deco without a mirror listening in. And no, not those sad little rectangles above the couch. We’re talking big, glam, geometric ones with bevelled edges. Diamond shapes, sunbursts, octagons—pick one that makes your guests stop mid-sentence and go “woah, where’d you get that?”
Mirrored furniture is a move too. Coffee tables that catch the light like a magpie’s daydream. Sideboards with mirrored panels so sharp they look like they could cut through time.
Careful though. One mirror is statement, five is disco ball. Don’t overdo it unless you wanna live inside a 1920s nightclub. Which, honestly, sounds kinda fun.
2. Go Big on Geometry, Darling
Art Deco lives for lines. Bold, daring, almost smugly symmetrical ones. Chevrons, zig-zags, fan shapes. It’s not subtle. But then again, who said you wanted to be?
Get it into your wallpaper, your cushions, your rugs. A black and white floor with chunky, unapologetic stripes? Now we’re talking. Even your ceiling can get in on the action. A painted border in gold leaf zigzags? Chef’s kiss.
But listen: don’t make it look like a math textbook exploded in your lounge. Space things out. Let patterns breathe. They’re confident. They don’t need to shout over each other.
3. Rich Colours That Feel Like a Velvet Punch
Art Deco ain’t afraid of colour. Jewel tones are the name of the game—sapphire, emerald, deep ruby, mustard gold. They should feel expensive, even if your budget came from a jar of coins and hope.
Plum velvet curtains with a brass curtain rod? Grown up. An emerald green couch so lush it looks illegal? Yes, please.
But it’s not all moody, dark vibes. Add in a pop of blush pink or duck egg blue for balance. You’re painting with drama here. You want people to feel your colour choices in their lungs.
4. Furniture With Swagger
No flat-pack flimsy nonsense here. Art Deco furniture has a strut to it. Curves in all the right places, finishes smoother than a speakeasy crooner’s voice.
Think armchairs that look like they belong in an old Hollywood dressing room. Lacquered wood side tables with brass inlays. A cocktail trolley with wheels that gleam like moonlight on a gin glass.
Look for pieces that feel like they’ve lived a little. Thrift stores can be a goldmine—literally. Just be ready to wrestle a little old lady over a genuine deco bar cart. It’s worth it.
5. Let There Be Statement Lighting
If your lamp looks like a sad mushroom, we need to talk.
Art Deco lighting is where the magic happens. Chandeliers like upside-down wedding cakes. Globe lamps on shiny chrome stems. Wall sconces that look like they belong in a noir film.
Get that lighting right, and your room will glow like it’s hosting a secret jazz party. Warm bulbs, not cool ones. Harsh white light ruins the mood faster than someone mentioning taxes at dinner.
Bonus points for switching your light switches to those vintage brass ones. Details matter. They always do.
6. Add a Bar, Even If You Don’t Drink
Here’s a secret: Art Deco is always a little bit drunk. Or at least it wants to be.
Even if you only sip sparkling water and pretend it’s champagne, a bar setup brings the whole vibe together. A mirrored tray, some cut glass decanters, and a few Art Deco tumblers can instantly class the place up.
No space for a bar cart? Fake it on a console table. Add a bowl of cocktail cherries for colour and a few old-school coasters for flair.
And if you do drink? Well, you’re about to start mixing martinis with the confidence of a 1930s film star.
7. Metal Mix-Up – Brass, Chrome, and More
Art Deco has a serious metal obsession. And not the loud, screamy guitar kind. We’re talking classy finishes—brass, chrome, gold, even blackened steel.
Hardware matters. Swap out the basic handles on your drawers for gold fan pulls. Upgrade the legs of your coffee table to something shiny. Layer your metals. A little clash? That’s the charm.
Just don’t go full tin man. Use metal accents like jewellery on an outfit—strategic, dazzling, never too much.
8. Glam Artwork That Knows What It’s Doing
Art on the walls can make or break your Deco dream. We’re not after moody watercolours or polite little florals here.
Think bold. Graphic prints. Stylised female portraits with finger waves and pearls. Abstracts in gold, black and white. Even a framed vintage fashion ad can work if it feels chic enough.
Make it big. Make it bossy. And frame it well. Thin black or gold frames look sharp. No sad plastic ones from the clearance bin, alright?
Also: hang art lower than you think. Eye level isn’t as high as most people hang it. Let it pull you in.
9. Textures You Want to Touch
A Deco room should be like a sensory hug.
Velvet is your best friend. Add it wherever you can—pillows, sofas, footstools. Then throw in a shaggy rug or two, and maybe even some leather if you’re feeling fancy.
Glass is great, too. Etched glass panels or a frosted vase with angular cuts. Marble’s a winner. Faux marble counts. We’re not snobs here, just inspired.
The more your guests wanna stroke your cushions and run their hands over your side tables, the closer you are to nailing it.
10. Don’t Forget the Drama
If you’re playing it safe, you’re doing it wrong.
Art Deco doesn’t do shy. It’s about stepping into your living room and going “damn, that’s a vibe.” It’s big energy. Swanky. A bit over-the-top, but never cheesy.
Layer up. Add unexpected pops. A zebra print cushion on a burgundy armchair. A black lacquered cabinet with gold inlay, just chillin’ like it owns the place. A stack of old jazz records you never play but look amazing.
Do you need a sculpture of a chrome greyhound by your fireplace? No. Should you absolutely get one? Also yes.
11. Step Ceilings – Height With Swagger
Flat ceilings? Forget ‘em.
Art Deco homes often had tiered or “step” ceilings—like wedding cakes for your overhead space. Dramatic, layered, architectural lines that make your neck crane up and say wow. It’s basically crown moulding that went to finishing school and came back with ideas.
You don’t need a mansion for it. Even faux tiers, done with clever paint or trim, can fake the effect and still bring that Deco drama.
Paint those layers in tonal shades—off-white with champagne gold, or soft charcoal with dusty blue. It’s the ceiling equivalent of whispering luxury.
12. Fan Motif Overload (But Like, Tastefully)
Not just one lonely fan print in a cushion, no sir. We’re talking fans everywhere—the ultimate Art Deco symbol of elegance and movement.
Use them as patterns on cabinets, inlaid wood designs, carved wall panels. Fans = flourish. They’re like visual applause.
Even create a full fan-shaped wall mural if you’re feeling brave and a bit extra. Which, let’s face it, you probably are.
13. Luxe Screens and Room Dividers
Art Deco loves separation without isolation. Open space is great, but mystery is sexier.
Bring in a folding screen—lacquered, mirrored, maybe with a peacock feather motif or a sexy silhouetted skyline. It doesn’t even need to serve a purpose. Let it just be there. Looking stunning.
You can use it to frame a reading nook, hide clutter, or create the illusion of zones. Basically, it’s functional art with flair.
14. Curved Doorways or Faux Arches
Straight lines are great, but curves? Now that’s elegance.
If your living room has doorways or entrances, try adding curved trim or even an arched curtain rod to fake the look. Arched entryways scream Art Deco like they invented it.
Not up for reno? A round-topped mirror above a console mimics the shape and fakes the architectural feel. It’s all about illusion, darling.
15. Stylised Animal Accents
No, not rustic farmhouse cows. Art Deco animals are sleek. Stylised. Regal.
Think panthers. Greyhounds. Peacocks. Cranes. All long-legged and attitude-heavy. Get ‘em in sculptures, lamps, or even metallic wallpaper.
Bonus points if they’re doing something dramatic like standing on a globe or rearing into the sky. Go full fantasy. Deco is nothing if not theatrical.
16. Black Lacquer – The Moodiest Glamour
Not just a dark wall, but furniture or accents dipped in inky black lacquer. Glossy, intense, and deeply luxurious.
A black lacquer console table with polished chrome handles? Oh yes. A piano-black bookshelf with fan-shaped gold brackets? Showstopper.
It reflects light in this weirdly soft, rich way that makes everything else in the room look ten times more expensive. Even your houseplants.
17. Glass Brick Accents
Hear me out.
Glass bricks got a bad rap thanks to some tragic ’80s bathrooms, but Deco did them first and better.
Use them in little room partitions, or to create a backlit feature wall that glows like vintage cinema lights. They let light in but still keep things private. Add a little tint or bevel and now they’re not just cool—they’re icy.
You’re creating ambiance and architecture. And they’re surprisingly good at bouncing colour around too.
18. Marquetry Madness
Marquetry is wood inlay, but like… the high art version. Intricate designs using different types of wood, often with brass or even shell mixed in.
A coffee table with a sunburst marquetry top? Collectible. A cabinet with geometric wooden inlays? It’s not furniture—it’s a statement.
Hunt for vintage if you can, or fake it with printed veneer stickers for a cheat’s version. Either way, it adds warmth and serious character.
19. Fireplace as a Deco Focal Point
Got a fireplace? Treat it like royalty.
Forget shabby chic. Frame it with shiny black tile or sculptural limestone. Add a bold Deco-style mantel with strong verticals or stepped details.
Even if it doesn’t work anymore, you can fill it with books, candles, or mirror tiles to make it visually pop. Paint the inside black. Add a brass fire screen with geometric detailing.
It should own the room, not fade into the wall.
20. Deco-Inspired Flooring – Yes, Really
Don’t sleep on the floor. Most people slap down a grey rug and call it done.
Not you. Try a bold, patterned carpet in a Deco design—fans, diamonds, or clean lines. Or use tile with a border design, like a faux rug but way more permanent.
Even wood flooring can play the part. Herringbone or chevron layouts bring that movement and precision that Deco adores. Add a high-contrast rug with angular borders for extra layering.
The goal is to make people look down and still be impressed.
Bonus Vibe Tips (Because We’re On A Roll)
– Add a tasselled lamp fringe. No one knows why it works. It just does.
– Place a single calla lily in a slender vase. Classic.
– Use perfume bottles as decor. Seriously. Crystal bottles with atomisers are instant elegance.
– Mix in some black. It grounds all the glitz. A black wall? Try it. Brave is beautiful.
– Put a record player in the corner. Even if it doesn’t work. It’ll still make your soul sing.
Let’s be real for a sec. Most people’s living rooms look like a “before” photo. Too safe. Too soft. No sparkle. But yours? Yours can be something else entirely.
Bring in the Deco and you’re not just decorating. You’re setting a scene. A whole mood. Every night is a cocktail party, even if you’re eating instant noodles on your art deco couch in pyjamas.
So go on. Swivel your way into some symmetry, slap some gold leaf on your soul, and let your living room live a little louder.
The 20s came back for a reason.
FAQs
What is an Art Deco step ceiling?
A tiered or layered ceiling design that adds architectural drama and height to a room.
How can I incorporate fan motifs in my living room?
Use fan patterns on cabinets, wall panels, or murals for a classic Art Deco flourish.
What purpose do screens or room dividers serve in Art Deco décor?
They create stylish separation and add a mysterious, elegant vibe without closing off spaces.
How can I fake curved doorways without renovations?
Add curved trim or arched mirrors to mimic the elegant Art Deco archway look.
Which animals are popular in Art Deco living room accents?
Stylised panthers, greyhounds, peacocks, and cranes with sleek, regal designs.
Why use black lacquer in Art Deco furniture?
Its glossy, rich finish adds moodiness and luxury to any room element.
How can glass bricks enhance an Art Deco living room?
They create light-catching partitions or feature walls with vintage cinematic appeal.
What is marquetry and how does it fit in Art Deco style?
It’s intricate wood inlay art that adds warmth and detailed character to furniture.
How do I make a fireplace a focal point in Art Deco décor?
Frame it with shiny tiles or sculptural mantels and add bold geometric details.
What flooring styles suit an Art Deco living room?
Patterned carpets, herringbone or chevron wood floors, and bold tile borders create perfect Deco vibes.
Emma is a passionate home decor enthusiast and the voice behind Home Evoke. With a keen eye for design and a love for transforming spaces, she shares her expertise and creative ideas to help others create beautiful, functional homes. Through her blog, Emma inspires readers with practical tips, trend insights, and DIY projects that make home styling effortless and enjoyable.