The allure of Art Deco is its unapologetic glamour—a style born of optimism, defined by bold geometry, and polished to a perfect shine. It can feel grand, perhaps even intimidating, but bringing its essence into your own living room is more accessible than you might think.
It begins with two key elements: the reflective depth of lacquer and the radiant energy of a sunburst mirror. These aren’t just decorative pieces; they are functional tools for transforming a space. Lacquer bounces light to make a room feel more alive, while a sunburst mirror acts as a piece of sculpture, creating an instant focal point.
Here, you will find 23 distinct ways to interpret this revival. Look not just at the objects, but at the way color, texture, and symmetry are used to build a feeling. Whether your taste is minimalist or maximalist, moody or bright, the principles of Art Deco offer a timeless formula for a truly sophisticated home.
1. Frame a Moody Palette with Gold and Emerald
Create a dramatic, immersive space by painting your walls and ceiling in the same deep charcoal grey.
This technique, known as color drenching, blurs the room’s edges and makes the ceiling feel higher.
Anchor this moody backdrop with a pair of emerald green velvet sofas for richness and a soft texture that invites touch.
The key to preventing the darkness from feeling flat is reflection: a statement crystal chandelier, a gold sunburst mirror, and the high-gloss finish on your lacquer cabinets will catch and bounce light around the room, creating depth and glamour.
2. Embrace a Lighter, Coastal Art Deco
Art Deco glamour doesn’t have to be dark; you can achieve it with a light and airy palette.
Pair soft mint green walls with a curved, blush-pink sofa to introduce gentle color and signature Deco forms.
Choose a high-gloss white lacquer credenza to keep the feeling bright and clean, ensuring its hardware is a warm brass to tie into the theme.
A terrazzo floor with brass inlays is the perfect foundation, adding subtle pattern and a touch of classic luxury.
3. Swap Gold for Silver for a Cooler Edge
For a more restrained and modern interpretation, exchange traditional gold and brass for cooler silver and chrome accents.
Pair deep navy walls with a classic brown leather chesterfield sofa; its traditional form provides a handsome contrast to the sleek Art Deco elements.
A silver-leafed sunburst mirror and a simple, black metal coffee table feel sophisticated and sharp.
Flanking black lacquer cabinets add symmetry and polish, their subtle sheen reflecting the room’s ambient light.
4. Introduce a Single, Vibrant Lacquer Piece
You don’t need a complete overhaul to evoke a Deco spirit. In a neutral room with classic bones, introduce a single piece of statement furniture.
A tall lacquer cabinet in a striking jewel tone, like this teal, immediately becomes the focal point.
Use its bold color as a cue for other accents. Pull secondary colors from patterned armchairs that harmonize with the cabinet, creating a curated, eclectic look that feels intentional, not random.
This approach allows you to layer Deco elements into your existing eclectic interiors with confidence.
5. Go Bold with a Graphic Black-and-White Palette
Commit to a high-impact look with a disciplined black-and-white palette.
Use tall, glossy black lacquer cabinets to flank a fireplace, creating powerful vertical lines and a sense of formal symmetry.
Contrast this with a crisp white sofa and white walls to keep the space from feeling heavy.
A graphic, black-and-white striped rug is essential here; it acts as the visual bridge that ties all the individual black and white elements together into one cohesive statement.
6. Layer Warm Tones for an Inviting Glow
Create a warm, enveloping version of Art Deco by layering shades of gold, ochre, and warm woods.
Select a curved sofa upholstered in a gold or mustard patterned fabric to establish the room’s welcoming tone.
Flank your central wall with dark wood bookcases, using the space between for a low credenza and a gilded sunburst mirror.
This composition creates a beautiful, symmetrical focal point that feels both grand and intimate, especially under the warm light of a brass sputnik chandelier.
7. Blend Deco Glamour with Chinoiserie
Introduce an element of worldly elegance by pairing Art Deco shapes with Chinoiserie-style cabinets.
The ornate, hand-painted details on these green lacquer cabinets provide a beautiful contrast to the clean, modern curves of bouclé sofas.
This unexpected combination works because both styles share a history of luxury, craftsmanship, and decorative artistry.
Keep the rest of the palette—like the rug and walls—soft and neutral to let these statement pieces truly shine.
8. Complement Parisian Architecture with Sleek Forms
If you have a space with beautiful architectural bones, like herringbone floors and ornate moulding, your job is to complement them, not compete.
In these classic Parisian apartment interiors, a pair of simple, cream-colored lacquer cabinets adds storage and a touch of modernism without overwhelming the historic details.
Their clean lines and glossy finish contrast beautifully with the texture of the marble fireplace and the warmth of the wood floors.
A gold sunburst mirror is the perfect finishing touch, echoing the room’s inherent elegance.
9. Modernize the Look with an Acrylic Table
To keep your Art Deco-inspired room feeling current, introduce modern materials.
An acrylic or lucite coffee table adds function without adding visual weight, allowing your statement pieces—like a bold, tufted blue velvet sofa—to remain the focus.
This transparency is especially effective in smaller rooms or spaces where you want the pattern of the rug to show through.
It pairs beautifully with the reflective nature of a sunburst mirror and chrome accents for a look that’s layered and light.
10. Create an Immersive Jewel-Box Effect
For a truly decadent and atmospheric room, commit to a palette of rich jewel tones.
Paint the walls and detailed moulding a deep, saturated teal to create a cohesive, enveloping backdrop.
Layer in a deep plum or aubergine tufted sofa, then add a jolt of energy with glossy, crimson red lacquer cabinets.
The key to making this work is repetition and balance: the gold hardware on the cabinets should connect with other brass elements, and the lampshades can echo the cabinet color.
11. Focus on Minimalism and Floating Forms
Achieve a clean, minimalist take on Art Deco by emphasizing strong lines and negative space.
Mount a simple, handle-free lacquer credenza on the wall so it appears to float. This clears the floor, creating an illusion of spaciousness and a streamlined look.
Above it, a black sunburst mirror with thin, sharp rays acts as a piece of graphic sculpture against a calm, neutral wall.
This restrained approach proves that Art Deco can be powerful even with just a few carefully chosen elements.
12. Transform an Awkward Nook into a Feature
View architectural quirks, like the space under a staircase, as design opportunities.
Install a custom-fit, glossy lacquer cabinet to create a chic home bar or stylish storage solution.
Choose a rich color like teal to turn this functional area into a dramatic focal point.
Adding a mirrored backsplash inside the nook enhances the sense of depth and reflects your glassware, completing the sophisticated, speakeasy vibe.
13. Add Tactile Interest with Fluted Cabinetry
Go beyond a simple glossy finish and choose cabinetry with textural details.
A fluted or reeded surface on your lacquer credenza adds rhythmic, vertical lines that are characteristic of the Art Deco period.
In a sunlit space like a bay window, this texture catches the light beautifully, creating subtle shadows and highlights that change throughout the day.
A vibrant color like coral makes it a cheerful, energizing centerpiece.
14. Juxtapose Glamour with Industrial Grit
Create a compelling design story by contrasting two seemingly opposite styles.
The raw texture of an exposed brick wall and the cool feel of a concrete floor provide the perfect gritty backdrop for glamorous Art Deco pieces.
The sleek, matte grey lacquer cabinets and a gilded sunburst mirror stand out in sharp relief, their polish and refinement elevated by the rawness of the surrounding industrial space.
This high-contrast pairing feels dynamic and utterly modern.
15. Ground Deco Shapes with Natural Textures
For a warmer, more approachable version of the style, balance Deco’s glamour with earthy, natural materials.
Choose a sunburst mirror with a heavily textured, almost rustic, gilded wood frame.
Pair it with a substantial dark wood credenza and lamps with organic, sculptural bases.
Placing these elements over a chunky jute or sisal rug adds a layer of natural texture that grounds the entire arrangement, making it feel sophisticated yet relaxed.
16. Arrange Seating for Intimate Conversation
Design your room’s layout to encourage connection. Here, four scalloped velvet armchairs are arranged in a circle, creating a perfect setting for conversation.
This arrangement, known as a conversational grouping, feels much more intimate than a traditional sofa-and-chairs layout.
Center the grouping on a round coffee table to reinforce the circular flow.
Placing this against a single, dramatic accent wall—in this case, a rich burgundy—defines the zone and enhances its cozy, exclusive feel.
17. Frame a Fireplace with Dark Built-Ins
Give your fireplace more presence and create a powerful focal point by flanking it with floor-to-ceiling built-in shelving.
Paint the built-ins, the fireplace surround, and the wall in between a cohesive color. A dramatic black or deep charcoal creates a sophisticated, library-like feel.
Use a crisp white for the mantelpiece to create a sharp, architectural highlight, then hang a gold sunburst mirror to be the undisputed star of the show.
This structure provides ample space for display while establishing a grand sense of symmetry.
18. Layer a Sunburst Mirror Over Bold Wallpaper
Don’t be afraid to make bold choices. A sunburst mirror can look stunning when placed directly over a patterned wallpaper.
The key is to choose a mirror with a strong, simple silhouette that won’t get lost in the pattern.
Here, a black mirror with a gold trim provides a solid focal point against a busy Chinoiserie wallpaper, and its dark color picks up on other black accents in the room.
Pair this with colorful, high-gloss lacquer cabinets for a truly maximalist and confident design statement.
19. Use Mirrored Finishes for a Sleek Effect
Amplify light and create a sense of spaciousness by using mirrored and high-gloss surfaces.
A wall of seamless, high-gloss grey lacquer cabinets provides incredible storage while visually receding, thanks to its reflective quality.
A large, faceted sunburst mirror made entirely of mirrored segments further bounces light around the room, creating a bright, almost futuristic feel.
Keep the furniture in a similar cool grey tone with chrome frames to maintain a cohesive, monochromatic look.
20. Master the Art of Mixing Patterns
If you love pattern, you can layer multiple designs by following a few simple rules.
Start with a large-scale pattern on the walls, like this navy and gold fan wallpaper, to set the theme.
Next, choose a solid-color sofa and console—here, deep blue velvet and glossy emerald green—to provide a visual resting place.
Finally, add smaller-scale patterns through pillows and a bold area rug, ensuring they share at least one color with the wallpaper to tie everything together.
21. Soften the Look with Sculptural Curves
Balance the sharp geometry often associated with Art Deco by embracing soft, sculptural curves.
A serpentine sofa upholstered in nubby bouclé fabric feels incredibly current and inviting, its form echoed by the rounded ottomans and circular coffee table.
Contrast these soft shapes with a long, low-slung credenza that features its own gentle, wave-like curve.
This focus on rounded forms creates a room that feels cohesive, gentle, and utterly sophisticated.
22. Integrate Lacquer into a Classic Library
Add an unexpected twist to a traditional library or study.
While the upper portions of the walls feature classic dark wood bookshelves, the lower cabinets are finished in a high-gloss, deep red lacquer.
This strategic pop of color and shine breaks up the expanse of wood, adding a layer of modern drama and personality.
It proves that even the most classic of rooms can handle a bold, contemporary touch without losing its dignified character.
23. Let Architecture Guide Your Layout
When your room has a spectacular feature, like a grand arched window, all your design choices should honor it.
Position your sofa directly opposite the window to create a balanced composition and ensure the view can be enjoyed.
Keep the color palette soft and neutral to prevent it from competing with the natural light and architectural beauty.
Understated Deco elements, like glossy white cabinets and a single sunburst mirror, add a touch of style without stealing the spotlight from the room’s main event.
