Is Art Deco Design Back? Here’s How to Get the Look, According to Interior Designers

What’s old is new again when it comes to trends—this time around, we’re going back in time about 100 years, to the 1920s and ’30s, when Art Deco first burst onto the scene. The architectural style, known for its fearless combination of drama and symmetry, has waxed and waned in popularity in the decades since—but it’s received a second lease on life in 2025.

So what makes the style so relevant this year—and, more importantly, is it right for your living room? We spoke to interior designers about what they love about Art Deco, from the chrome tabletops to the velvet sofas—and all of the various geometric patterns in between.

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Related: Experts Predict These 6 Interior Design Trends Will Define Decorating in 2025

What Is Art Deco?

Art Deco is all about drama, so it’s certainly not for the faint of heart. “It’s not a subtle design style,” says Keren Richter, co-founder and principal of White Arrow. “It embraces glamor through symmetry, high gloss, and geometric forms.”

If you’ve seen an Art Deco building, you’re likely familiar with some of the style’s geometric patterns, like stylized florals, sunbursts, and even zigzags. Art Deco has a certain color palette that it generally follows too. “Jewel tones, velvet, and other rich fabrics are all part of Art Deco,” says interior designer Regan Baker. “Also included are subtle textures that reflect the light, silks and silk rugs, and an overall moodier palette.”

It may sound frilly or excessive, but Art Deco is all about simple, symmetrical shapes—just dressed up in luxe fabrics and complemented by gold leaf.

History of Art Deco

Art Deco’s name comes from the Parisian “des Arts Décoratifs” exposition, which was held in 1925, and is said to be where the style originated. In many ways, Art Deco was the opposite of art nouveau, an aesthetic movement that was quite popular at the time.

Nouveau was characterized by organic, curved shapes and lilting floral motifs—deco, by contrast, prioritized symmetry and a sense of modernism. Many examples of Art Deco architecture emerged in the states in the years that followed, most notably in New York via landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

The style eventually fell out of favor, at least in the U.S., during the Great Depression in the 1930s. It ultimately made a comeback decades later in the ’60s and has remained a part of the interior design world ever since. It’s often associated with the roaring twenties, Old Hollywood, and a Great Gatsby-esque sense of glamor and opulence.

Art Deco in Pop Culture

Art Deco never really went away, but we’re seeing it more than ever in interior design, with new products from brands like Apparatus, Dimorestudio, and recent work from stylist and designer Athena Calderone.

It’s even infiltrated popular culture, with Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis showcasing the look front and center, and runway shows like Lanvin’s spring 2025 collection, which included a handful of silhouettes that oozed ’20s and ’30s glamour.

Why Art Deco Is Popular Again

Similar to the era in which Art Deco was originally conceived, in many ways, the style has emerged in contrast to other popular aesthetics. “It feels like a reaction to the textural, natural, organic forms and tonal interiors that have dominated—I like to think it’s The Row’s influence—creating a world of boucle, soft beige, white oak, and unlacquered brass,” says Richter. “There might be a drive for drama and color after all the years of ‘quiet luxury.'”

Another reason behind the recent surge is a prevailing trend in interior design—a demand for interiors that feel more tailored to the individual, eschewing more neutral sensibilities in favor of bold personal taste. “People want their homes to evoke a greater sense of depth and personality overall,” says Baker. “Paying attention to the details and highlighting them is very much a part of Art Deco mentality.”

How to Get the Look

Approaching Art Deco can feel daunting at first, but just like most interior design styles, the key to success is layering. “If you want to bring the aesthetic into a more modern period, play around with textures on the walls, like paneling or glass details,” says Baker. “Use tonal play—including shades of the same colors—as a way to play with texture on the ceiling.”

Since Art Deco is heavy on clean lines and geometries, it can sometimes make a room feel harsh and blocky. “Find ways to bring in curvature as a counterpoint,” says Richter. “It’s about finding balance and the tension between the two, which creates a dynamic and glamorous space.”

Finally, don’t forget the details. Art Deco is all about glamour, whether it’s in the big moments or the small ones, and the best way to celebrate that is by paying attention to the finer things in a room. Baker recommends upgrading your light switches, cabinet hardware, and even adding vintage suitcases or trunks for a pop of old meets new.

“Find ways to incorporate contemporary takes on Art Deco alongside artful antiques and custom designs,” adds Richter. “It allows us to take the ideas of 100 years ago and bring them into today.”

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