When you think of the term Art Deco, you probably picture the 1920s and 1930s: bold geometry, lavish materials, glossy surfaces, and a sense of forward-looking glamour. The style emerged after the First World War as a reaction to the flowing organic forms of Art Nouveau, embracing instead the machine age, speed, and luxury. In interior design, Art Deco interiors combine strong lines and symmetry with sumptuous textures: think mirrored surfaces, lacquered woods, chrome or brass metalwork, rich velvet upholstery, and patterns that celebrate geometry.

Why Art Deco Interiors Are Making a Comeback

Although the golden era of Art Deco is nearly a century past, the style has regained popularity in recent years; and for good reason. As pointed out in the House Beautiful article:

• The style signals optimism, progression and resilience, making it apt for our times.

• Interiors dominated by minimalism have left some craving drama and personality; Art Deco delivers that in spades. 

• Searches for Art Deco mirrors, headboards, lampshades have surged, indicating rising interest in deco-style furniture and décor. 

In short: if you’re looking for a home interior style that says luxury, confidence and style, with a nod to history, but still works today, Art Deco interiors are worthy of consideration.

Interior Examples & Design Inspiration

1. Historic elegance meets modern office — San Francisco penthouse

A 1925 Art Deco tower in San Francisco was transformed into a modern office space by Rapt Studio. The designers embraced the building’s heritage, using fluted detailing and matte-black laminate in the reception area to reference the original Art Deco architecture. 
This shows how Art Deco interiors can go beyond residential spaces, they can work equally well in executive or professional settings, provided the furniture, materials, and design language are respected.

2. Neues Schloss Privat Hotel Zurich by Carbone Interior Design

Since 1935, the Neues Schloss Privat Hotel Zurich has captivated visitors with its rational yet rounded façade, a refined fusion of Art Deco and Modernist architecture. Recently reimagined by Carbone Interior Design, the hotel’s interiors now reflect its guiding philosophy: “A place that brings together what usually doesn’t combine.” Part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, this 57-room gem harmoniously blends velvety jewel tones, plush textures, and natural plaster walls, creating a space where historic elegance meets modern sophistication. The result is a luxurious sanctuary that celebrates Zurich’s cosmopolitan spirit while honoring the timeless allure of Art Deco interiors.

3. The Georgian Hotel by Rosamond Borde and M. Eugene Durfee

Perched along Santa Monica’s iconic pier, The Georgian Hotel is a restored oceanfront Art Deco masterpiece that first opened in 1933 under the vision of female founder Rosamond Borde and architect M. Eugene Durfee. Once a glamorous haven for Hollywood’s elite, the hotel’s mid-century remodels dimmed its original brilliance until Jon Blanchard and Nicolo Rusconi of BLVD Hospitality, with designer Tom Parker of Fettle, revived its timeless luster. Today, The Georgian shines again with its signature turquoise façade, bold geometric details, gold accents, and vintage-inspired Art Deco interiors, blending historic glamour with contemporary coastal sophistication.

How to Incorporate Art Deco Furniture & Décor in Your Home

Here are practical suggestions for weaving the style into your interiors:

Choose a statement furniture piece

Pick one standout item: for example, a velvet sofa in a rich hue with brass legs, or a dining table with inlaid lacquer and chrome. This anchors the theme. The key is that this furniture becomes the hero.

Mix materials & finishes

Combine lacquered surfaces with brass or chrome, add velvet or leather upholstery, marble or exotic veneer tops. For instance: a console table in polished brass, paired with mirrored panels behind it creates a dramatic effect.

Use geometry in details

In accessories, carpets, lighting, or wall panels, include chevrons, sunbursts, zigzags or fluted detailing. But if going “New Deco”, opt for more subtle patterns—such as a rug with a monochrome geometric motif. 

Balance boldness with restraint

Classic Art Deco was maximalist; modern décor often favours restraint. Use metallics or strong geometry as accents rather than overwhelming the space. As one guidance puts it: “The modern Art Deco look is ‘a masterclass in balance: opulent yet refined, striking yet effortless.’” 

Consider curved lines

Today’s take on Art Deco often favours more fluid curves instead of harsh machine-age lines. Curved chairs, round tables, arched alcoves all work.

Don’t neglect lighting

Lighting in Art Deco interiors isn’t just functional—it’s decorative. Think sculptural pendant lights, polished‐metal finishes, and fixtures that become focal furniture pieces themselves. 

Room-by-Room Ideas

• Living Room: Start with a strong furniture piece, say a velvet sofa with brass legs. Add a mirrored coffee table or chrome side tables. Introduce pattern with a geometric rug, and finish with a bold chandelier or pendant light.

• Dining Room: Use a lacquered dining table, chrome or brass dining chairs, and a statement light fixture above. For wall treatment, consider fluted panels or an art-deco-style wallpaper.

• Bedroom: A curved bedframe upholstered in velvet, a mirrored or brass bedside table, geometric bedside lighting, and perhaps a sunburst mirror above the bed.

• Hallway/Entryway: This is where symmetry shines. Use matching console tables, mirrors, lighting, and align elements – one of the New York apartments made exemplary use of this by redesigning the gallery entry with strong geometric shapes and symmetrical alignment.

Bringing the “Twist”: Modernizing Art Deco Interiors

The word “twist” in the title isn’t idle; successfully integrating Art Deco interiors means adapting the style to contemporary living. Here’s how:

• Overlay with contemporary lifestyle: For example, high-tech home automation, minimalist surrounding architecture, more open floor plans—use Art Deco furniture and décor as layers rather than the base.

• Scale appropriately: Big, heavy-looking decorative elements may overwhelm smaller modern homes. Use smaller furniture in the deco style or magnify one focal point instead of many.

• Modern materials & colours: Where classic Art Deco might favour bright emeralds, golds and blacks, the contemporary twist may favour a more subdued palette and natural materials. House Beautiful notes the shift to “earthy palette” and “softer shapes”. 

• Combine with other styles: Art Deco furniture can be paired with modern minimalist architectural elements or mid-century furniture to create layered richness. One project described in Interior Design featured a home in Aspen mixing Art Deco furnishings with more modernist influences.

Conclusion

If you’re drawn to interiors that exude elegance, glamour and originality, Art Deco interiors offer a powerful framework—and when you apply the modern twist, they feel utterly relevant for today’s homes. By selecting key pieces of Art Deco furniture, using the geometry, rich materials, lighting and symmetry that define the style, and tempering them with thoughtful restraint, you can achieve chic home decorating with a twist.

Whether you're redesigning a living room, selecting a statement dining table, or planning a full-scale home renovation, this approach will allow your space to channel the glamour of the 1920s with the functionality and aesthetics of the 2020s. Keywords to remember: Art Deco, Interiors, Furniture. With the right balance, you can create an interior that feels both timeless and fresh.

Sources:
House Beautiful, Art Deco interiors are trending but with a twist — here's how to get the New Deco look

Interior Design, 9 Stunning Art Deco Interior Design Styles

Luxe Interior Design, 3 NYC Art Deco Spaces With A Modern Twist

Photography: 

Eric Laignel, Tatjana Plitt and Douglas Friedman