Have you ever walked past a house and stopped in your tracks because it looked so different and exciting?
That’s probably an Art Deco house working its magic on you. These amazing homes were built during the Roaring Twenties and the Dirty Thirties, when people wanted everything to look modern and stylish.
An art deco house stands out with its cool zigzag designs, sparkly metal touches, and bright colors that catch your eye from blocks away.
These houses tell stories of jazz music, movie stars, and a time when everyone believed the future would be incredible. Today, people still love these gorgeous homes and try to copy their style.
What is an Art Deco House?
Art Deco houses represent a bold architectural style. This style emerged in the 1920s and continued to flourish through the 1940s.
The design movement celebrated modern life with glamour, luxury, and optimism. Art Deco homes are easily recognizable. They feature geometric shapes, perfect symmetry, and decorative patterns.
Typical design elements include zigzag motifs, sunburst designs, and stylized details that create visual drama. Bold colors dominate Art Deco spaces.
These include deep blues, rich golds, and vibrant reds. Chrome and brass finishes add sparkle and shine. The style varied depending on location.
In Miami, buildings showcase pastel colors and tropical influences. In Los Angeles, Art Deco emphasizes Hollywood glamour. European examples offer more refined interpretations of the movement’s signature elements.
Examples of Art Deco Homes Around the World
Art Deco houses can be found across the globe, each telling a unique story of 1920s and 1930s design excellence.
From original masterpieces to carefully restored gems, these homes showcase the timeless appeal of geometric beauty and luxurious details that continue to inspire homeowners and architects today.
1. Classic Art Deco Homes
Original Art Deco houses from the 1920s and 1930s display genuine period features like curved corners, glass block windows, and decorative metalwork. These homes often feature flat roofs, horizontal lines, and bold geometric patterns.
Many surviving examples can be found in cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, where wealthy families commissioned architects to create these glamorous residences during the movement’s golden age.
2. Modern Interpretations
Today’s architects and designers create fresh takes on Art Deco style by blending classic elements with contemporary materials and technology. These modern homes might feature LED lighting that highlights geometric patterns or updated kitchens with Art Deco-inspired cabinetry.
Restoration projects also breathe new life into original structures, preserving their historical character while adding modern conveniences for today’s families.
3. Famous Art Deco Houses
Eltham Palace in London stands as one of the world’s most famous Art Deco homes, combining a medieval great hall with 1930s luxury. Built by the Courtauld family, it features circular rooms, built-in furniture, and gold-plated bathroom fixtures.
Other notable examples include the Lovell House in Los Angeles and various celebrity homes in Beverly Hills that showcase Hollywood’s love affair with this glamorous architectural style.
Key Design Elements to Look For
Art Deco houses have special features that make them easy to spot. These design elements work together to create the style’s signature look of luxury and modern grace.
- Bold geometric shapes – Circles, triangles, and angular patterns on walls and windows
- Stepped rooflines – Flat roofs with step-like edges that create dramatic silhouettes
- Sunburst and zigzag patterns – Decorative elements on doors, gates, and interior features
- Shiny materials – Chrome fixtures, glass blocks, and polished terrazzo floors
- Smooth stucco walls – Clean, curved surfaces in bold or pastel colors
These elements combine to create homes that feel both fancy and futuristic. When you see these features together, you’ll know you’re looking at an Art Deco design that captures the glamour of the 1920s and 1930s.
Art Deco Style House Interiors: Ideas Room by Room
Designing an Art Deco style house means creating spaces that feel bold, glamorous, and intentionally detailed. Every room offers an opportunity to play with rich materials, dramatic lighting, and signature geometry.
Below, we break down interior design ideas room by room, so you can bring the classiness of Art Deco into your own home, if you’re planning a full renovation or looking for standout décor accents.
1. Living Rooms: Luxe, Layered, and Symmetrical
Art Deco living rooms are all about making a statement with balance and rich textures. Think mirrored furniture, sleek lacquer finishes, and geometric patterns used with precision.
- Furniture: Opt for rounded sofas or club chairs upholstered in velvet, leather, or suede. Mirrored coffee tables and chrome-legged side tables add a touch of glamour.
- Color Scheme: Jewel tones, such as emerald, sapphire, and deep plum, work well, especially when contrasted with gold or black accents.
- Layout: Art Deco favors symmetry, arrange furnishings in mirrored pairs to evoke that classic, orderly aesthetic.
Inspiration Tip: Pair a plush emerald velvet sofa with a gold-trimmed mirror and geometric rug for an instantly chic Deco vibe.
2. Kitchens: Streamlined Meets Stylish
Art Deco kitchens blend function with high style, offering a clean, tailored look infused with classic flair.
- Floors: Black-and-white checkerboard tiles or terrazzo are staples that never go out of style.
- Cabinetry: Look for glossy or lacquered surfaces, often with simple, linear handles in chrome or brass.
- Backsplashes & Hardware: Add interest with fluted glass, geometric tile, or brushed metal accents.
Design Idea: Install under-cabinet LED lighting to highlight chevron-patterned backsplashes and metallic surfaces.
3. Bathrooms: Glamour in the Details
Bathrooms in Art Deco homes are small sanctuaries of refinement, with a focus on color, curves, and luxurious materials.
- Colors: Soft pastels like blush pink, mint green, or powder blue combined with metallics (especially gold or chrome).
- Fixtures: Choose pedestal sinks, freestanding tubs with claw feet, and curved mirrors with bevelled edges.
- Accents: Incorporate shell or fan-shaped tiles, marble countertops, and vintage wall sconces for added flair.
Quick Update: Swap your faucet and mirror for polished chrome and a scalloped Art Deco frame, instant change.
4. Lighting: Make a Statement
Lighting is one of the most defining features of Art Deco interiors. It’s not just functional, it’s a design centerpiece.
- Chandeliers: Go bold with cascading glass fixtures, sunburst designs, or tiered crystal forms.
- Wall Sconces & Lamps: Look for wall sconces and lamps featuring frosted or etched glass with streamlined metal bases.
- Modern Twist: Add neon or backlit LED strips in geometric patterns to update traditional lighting ideas.
Pro Tip: Use symmetrical wall sconces flanking a mirror or fireplace to reinforce the Deco aesthetic.
How to Incorporate Art Deco into Your Home
You don’t need to own a 1920s mansion to enjoy Art Deco style. With some creative touches and smart shopping, you can bring this glamorous look into any modern home.
- Add geometric patterns with zigzag or sunburst wallpaper, rugs, and pillows
- Choose bold accent wall colors like deep blues, emerald greens, or rich golds
- Find vintage furniture with curved lines and shiny metal details at antique shops.
- Update lighting with geometric pendant lights and metallic finishes
- Mix Art Deco pieces with modern furniture for a fresh look
- Add metallic accents like chrome, brass, or copper frames and vases
Start small with one or two Art Deco elements and build your collection over time. This approach allows you to create a stylish space that feels both vintage and contemporary.
That’s a Wrap
Living in or decorating with art deco style means bringing a piece of history’s most exciting era right into your everyday life.
If you find yourself the lucky owner of a real art deco house or just want to steal some of its best ideas for your own place, this style never fails to make people smile and feel fancy.
The geometric shapes, shiny details, and bold colors that made these houses special during the Jazz Age still work their magic today, turning regular rooms into spaces that feel like movie sets from Hollywood’s golden days.
Art deco proves that good design truly never goes out of style.
Inspired to add some art deco vibe to your space? Let our home decor blogs inspire your next design!
With a Master in Architectural Studies from University of Pennysylvania, Marwa Haydar has pioneered living spaces since 2005. Her expertise, initially honed in a prestigious architectural firm, is evident in her approach to creating environments. Marwa became part of our team in 2019 and has since been a driving force in our home improvement section, known for her practical yet stylish solutions. She’s been spearheading our design workshops since then, infusing her passion for teaching into her work. In her leisure time, Marwa enjoys exploring historic architecture and is an enthusiastic pottery hobbyist, further enriching her understanding of form and texture.
