The Reasons Designers Want You to Stop Trying to Make Art Deco Happen

It Can Feel Stark

There’s a reason why trends like cottagecore and modern farmhouse are popular at the moment. We all want our homes to feel welcoming and warm, but Art Deco can have the opposite effect.

“An overload of Art Deco can make a home feel too stark and unlived in,” said Emma. Right now, we all tend to prefer “a more classic and timeless aesthetic inspired by nature that evokes feelings of comfort and homeliness.”

It’s a Look That's Best Enjoyed Outside the Home

Just like most people don't lounge around their home in pearls and sequins, there’s a reason Art Deco is often used in grand spaces like restaurants and nightclubs.

“There may be a place for geometric opulence reminiscent of the Art Deco era,” agreed Emma. But “a home should be cozy, comfortable, and evoke a sense of emotion.”

Unfortunately, geometric opulence and cozy rarely go hand-in-hand.

There’s a Fine Line Between Visually Interesting and Totally Dated

As a style meant to evoke feelings of grandeur, it's basically built to be visually overwhelming. But instead of dizzying your friends and family, consider incorporating muted versions of Art Deco pieces into your existing style. Emma suggested something like, “a patterned wallpaper or an ornamental piece of fluted furniture.” 

But she warns that “as soon as you start to incorporate too many zig zags, geometric shapes, and rich colors into one room it becomes very dated.”

Interiors Can Be Better When Multiple Styles Are Blended Together

None of this means that you have to skip on the Art Deco accent piece you love. In fact, that might be the one time Art Deco shines. “Often, the most beautiful interiors are those that do not follow one single trend,” Emma told us. The most eye-catching spaces offer “a careful blend of eclectic pieces, considered fabrics, and functional design solutions.”

If you do opt for Art Deco accents, Emma recommends that “these should be used minimally rather than overwhelming a room.”

There’s No Need to Stick to One Era

Along with blending different styles, you can also incorporate different eras into your rooms. “Elements of Art Deco can look great when part of a larger interior design,” said Emma, whose team often layers Art Deco items with more contemporary pieces.

“We like to incorporate features from different periods to add character and contrast to a room,” she said. Too much Art Deco can quickly take you from paying a small homage to “creating something that resembles a scene from the Great Gatsby.”