chevron_left Back to Owner advice
The geometric shapes, gleaming chrome and distinctive motifs of the Art Deco style have a glamourous charm. Having reached the height of its popularity in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, this decadent interior design style is still sought-after to this day.
Short for the French term Arts Décoratifs, Art Deco interior design can bring a touch of Hollywood glitz to your holiday property. The essence of the period can be represented through subtle style decisions combined with modern luxury for an opulent, exclusive feel.
Kaleidoscope House
If you'd like to add a bit of Great Gatsby-esque flair to your holiday let, our Art Deco interior design guide highlights some of the key style elements that you will need to incorporate.
Skip to:
What is Art Deco design?
Art Deco first appeared in Paris in the golden Industrial Age of the 1920s but, to begin with, was isolated to society’s elite. As lavish as it was bold, Art Deco embodied luxury.
Poirot House
This was a time of exciting scientific development and international travel was on the rise, bringing with it momentous discoveries from around the world that influenced the design style, including the Egyptian pyramids and the tomb of Tutankhamun. African safaris were also all the rage, introducing influences of animal skins, mother-of-pearl, ivory and tortoiseshell.
Even during the Great Depression of the 1930s, this vintage style continued to flourish, drawing inspiration from cubism and futurism, and its predecessor, Art Nouveau. Thanks to mass production in the 1930s, Art Deco design was adopted by the masses throughout Europe, fuelling people’s imagination and aspirations.
Art Deco design ideas to feature in your holiday let
There are many ways to embrace the allure of Art Deco in a holiday cottage, from subtle touches to all-out glamour. Here are some of the key pieces as well as the finishes, colours and textures that will set your property apart.
Kaleidoscope House
Add artwork and sculpture
Art Deco celebrates grandeur and drama, and art is one of the best ways to demonstrate this. Striking sculptural accents and prints of artworks from the era add a welcome splash of colour to a minimalist room, and can be used to delicately flavour the Art Deco style without being too overpowering.
Black and white photos on the walls hark back to the 1920s and 30s, and old photos of Art Deco architecture or framed oversized posters featuring bold contrasting colours can lend a nostalgic feel to a room. Popular themes include flora and fauna, cars, skyscrapers and travel.
The White House
Be bold with colour
Inspired by the glamour of the silver screen, Art Deco colour schemes were not subdued, so when considering the colour palette for your interior, think bold and gold! Deep jewel tones such as cobalt blue, emerald, and rich purple, were often punctuated with high-shine silver, chrome, gold, or black accents.
If you’d prefer a more toned-down Art Deco interior, opt for softer hues, such as creams and beiges, paired with pops of bright colour like red, green, blue, yellow and pinks within your bedding, cushions, sofa throws or lampshades.
Portmore Grange
Go big with furniture
Characterised by clean lines and a lack of fancy flourishes, Art Deco-style furniture suits a modern home. There are many contemporary furniture shops that sell pieces reminiscent of the era – think large curvaceous sofas, scalloped or ‘cloud’ armchairs, geometric shapes and one-off pieces rather than sets.
Ebony, walnut, maple and ash were the key woods used in furniture due the natural beauty of their grain, which was further enhanced by lacquer to create a highly polished finish, adding to the sense of opulence.
One thing you’ll notice about Art Deco furniture is its generous proportions. It’s great to make an impact with select pieces, but choose carefully and avoid making your rooms look cramped by over-furnishing.
The White Manor House
Incorporate statement patterns and materials
As previously mentioned, because Art Deco came to thrive during a time of technological advances and travel, exotic animal prints and nature-inspired motifs were often the norm, paired with straight lines and geometric patterns and shapes. Nowadays, a faux fur cushion or a statement patterned chair here and there is a tasteful (and animal-friendly!) way to inject a bit of the exotic into your room.
The generous use of gold and steel paid homage to the wealth that new industries created at the time, as well as lacquered surfaces and smooth polished wood. And when it came to soft furnishings and fabrics, the plusher the better, with velvet, fur and leather the preferred materials.
Key elements to include:
- Nature-inspired motifs such as leaves, branches, feathers and stylised animals
- Geometric shapes including stepped forms, chevrons, sunbursts, trapezoids and zigzags
- Human-made materials like chrome, stainless steel and brass
- High-shine finishes including marble, crystal, glass, gold and mirrors
- Dark, lacquered wood in walnut, ebony, maple and ash
- Plush soft furnishings in velvet, leather and faux fur
House On The Hill - Hastings
Go glam with lighting
When you’re browsing for lighting to fit the Art Deco style, look out for ornate lamps and fittings which feature etched glass and chrome, with stepped or elongated shapes. Tiffany-style lamps may fit your décor or opt for a sleek design with white glass and geometric structure. Remember that symmetry is key to the Deco look, so always choose pairs.
Consider all lighting options, from ceiling and wall lights to lamps and even candle holders. For a statement lamp, you can’t go wrong with a female sculpture holding a ball lamp, as these were widely popular at the time.
The White House
Make a statement with flooring
If you’re lucky enough to have original parquet flooring in your property, it should be celebrated by being polished to a resplendent shine. Black and white checkerboard tiles and geometric patterns were also popular and would suit a hallway, bathroom or Art Deco kitchen nicely.
Not to worry if you don’t have the option to replace flooring in the Art Deco style; simply cover your floor with large rugs in vivid patterns to spice it up a bit.
Art Deco room ideas for your holiday home
The Art Deco style can be bold and impressive, and if alluded to in a subtle way through stylised furniture and accessories, it can create a great impression, both in your marketing photos and during your guests’ stay. Here are some Art Deco design ideas to consider when furnishing and decorating each room of your holiday cottage.
Art Deco living room ideas
Wallpaper is a key design feature of the Art Deco design style, so why not add some gilded, patterned wallpaper into the living room of your holiday property? Rectilinear and curvilinear forms that instantly catch the eye are iconic for the era and will make the space come alive.
Enhance the luxury look by framing the windows with glamorous curtains in a gold-bronze silk blend and source a mirror with a fan, starburst, floral or curved shape to create a focal point in the room. Also, look out for Art Deco-style prints and art for your walls, along with personal finds like vases and figurines for a finishing touch.
Art Deco kitchen ideas
When it comes to Art Deco kitchen design, you can achieve the look in a modern space by choosing big, bold aesthetics. Consider gleaming brass handles, marble or mirrored splashbacks, black and white chequered floors and a bronze or gold sink.
Add colour to the cabinets by painting them in rich hues, include bar stools that look as if they were transported from the interior of a Hollywood starlet, and use open shelving to display amazing collectables.
Art Deco bedroom ideas
In an Art Deco bedroom, it’s advisable not to go too over the top for fear of coming across like a themed hotel, but a nod to the style with a feature headboard, subtle accessories or soft furnishings can unify the room.
Choose bedding with geometric patterns and team with mirrored and high-gloss furniture such as a dressing table or wardrobes. Sweetly scalloped occasional chairs offer a cosy spot for guests to curl up with a holiday read and, if you’ve got the space, you could even incorporate a chaise longue or daybed.
Art Deco bathroom ideas
For an Art Deco bathroom, tiling is essential. If you’re lucky enough to have original tiling in your bathroom, then keep it and simply enhance with even more patterns. If you’re starting from scratch, then glossy octagonal or diamond-shaped tiles will feel classic, and Art Deco inspired.
Furnish with an angular-shaped sink, a traditional-looking WC and an elegant roll-top bath. For added glitz, you could adorn the space with some metallic or frosted glass accessories, and a bevelled mirror.
Looking to start holiday letting?
We’re always on the search for new owners to let their properties, whatever the style and appeal.
With an exceptional team who are dedicated to showcasing your property to help maximise its true potential, you get a simple, stress-free and successful letting experience that delivers you a healthy return.
If you are considering letting your holiday home, then we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and let us help you on your journey. Call 01237 459991 or send us a message.
You can also download a free letting guide.
How to start holiday letting