How to Dabble in the Art Deco Design Trend

At Studio McGee, our design philosophy is all about drawing inspiration from different styles, blending elements in unexpected ways, and creating a dynamic mix that feels personal and intentional. While our aesthetic isn’t traditionally Art Deco, we’re finding ourselves drawn to the inspiration of the movement’s refined details, and luxe sense of drama. Design is about borrowing, layering, and building tension between different influences to craft something uniquely your own. We love how Art Deco is reemerging and enjoy weaving in subtle nods to its elegance to add depth and a bit of glam to our spaces. You don’t have to go full Great Gatsby with a floor-to-ceiling geometric tile installation, but embracing a few key elements can bring a fresh and storied touch to your home. Here’s how to introduce Art Deco influences in a way that feels timeless and effortlessly integrated.

The Art Deco interior design trend relies heavily on geometric shapes, think strong linear forms, stepped details, faceted surfaces, streamlined curves, symmetrical patterns, and stylized geometric motifs. These shapes are often used in repeating patterns and in moments that make a grand statement. But in Studio McGee style, we like to add them through a pattern, or a bold stripe, in a stack of pillows. Another fun way to integrate the Art Deco-inspired interior design trend is through a checkerboard and diamond area rug.   

A stalwart of Art Deco design is the use of bold, saturated colors, like emerald, gold, and crimson. If you’ve seen The Great Gatsby, you know that the interiors of Jay Gatsby’s house was on the darker side, moody, and nearly everything was gilded. Velvet was a popular fabric during the height of the Art Deco design era due to its rich, lush pile and luxurious hand feel. You can borrow this Art Deco design element in your own home through the use of our made-to-order custom upholstery pieces. For instance, the Byron Chair, one of our most popular designs, comes in thirteen different hues of velvet. One of our favorites, and what Shea has in her own home, is the fawn colorway, an earthy shade of gold.  

Explore all thirteen of our velvet colorways here, and order swatches to color-match in your own home.

One thing the followers of the Art Deco trend in the 20s loved is a ceiling dripping with excess. Chandeliers took on a whole new level of opulence with dangling crystals, gold casts, and faceted ridges. Many had the same geometric pattern that you’d find in tilework or upholstery. Upholstery was full of textural moments like rich mohair and velvet. Wood had intricate patterns like burl, and often lacquered for a shiny finish. There is a way to take design elements of these more luxurious pieces and adapt them to a more relaxed, New Heritage style, such as Studio McGee does.