Decorating
10 Steps to Creating a Heavenly Art Deco Sleep Space
Go big on opulence and glamour to create a luxe, Great Gatsby-esque retreat in your boudoir
If there are three words that sum up Art Deco style, they’re opulence, glamour and luxury, so it’s no wonder this beautifully decadent style lends itself so well to the bedroom. Injecting a touch of Hollywood jazz-era design into the boudoir is a great way to create a stylish sanctuary that can transport you away from the everyday. Think bold geometric lines, strong symmetry and lashings of velvet and polished chrome, mixed in with reflective surfaces and a touch of the exotic. Here’s how to get the look in 10 easy steps.
Choose striking wall lights
Sconces adorned the walls of 1920s and 1930s cinemas, so be inspired by their classic shapes. At the pared-down end of the scale are glass, chrome and polished silver designs, along with simple Cubist-inspired squares, while the more adventurous can choose from elaborate decorative coloured glass and torch flames. The Art Deco era was so influential, you’ll have your pick of modern, original and reproduction styles.
Sconces adorned the walls of 1920s and 1930s cinemas, so be inspired by their classic shapes. At the pared-down end of the scale are glass, chrome and polished silver designs, along with simple Cubist-inspired squares, while the more adventurous can choose from elaborate decorative coloured glass and torch flames. The Art Deco era was so influential, you’ll have your pick of modern, original and reproduction styles.
Stay neutral but add layers
If you’re going for a neutral palette with classic Art Deco colours, such as oyster, taupe and mocha, layering is the key to ensuring it doesn’t become flat and bland. Team with metallics, glass and textured fabrics for maximum opulence. You can’t go far wrong with crisp white linen combined with luxurious faux fur or cashmere. Smoky black and chrome epitomise the Art Deco era, or you can give it a modern spin with copper instead.
If you’re going for a neutral palette with classic Art Deco colours, such as oyster, taupe and mocha, layering is the key to ensuring it doesn’t become flat and bland. Team with metallics, glass and textured fabrics for maximum opulence. You can’t go far wrong with crisp white linen combined with luxurious faux fur or cashmere. Smoky black and chrome epitomise the Art Deco era, or you can give it a modern spin with copper instead.
Supersize the headboard
Building up a scheme is always easier if you have a strong starting point that will inform the look. An oversized headboard upholstered in a plush, luxurious fabric, such as velvet or crushed silk, will provide a dramatic focal point that hints at Hollywood’s glamorous heyday and five-star hotel opulence.
Alternatively, opt for a feature wallpaper with lattice, geometric or fantail repeat pattern to anchor your scheme.
Discover how to make your headboard work harder
Building up a scheme is always easier if you have a strong starting point that will inform the look. An oversized headboard upholstered in a plush, luxurious fabric, such as velvet or crushed silk, will provide a dramatic focal point that hints at Hollywood’s glamorous heyday and five-star hotel opulence.
Alternatively, opt for a feature wallpaper with lattice, geometric or fantail repeat pattern to anchor your scheme.
Discover how to make your headboard work harder
Pick reflective surfaces
The more mirrors the better in an Art Deco-inspired bedroom, and that includes mirrored furniture that feels gloriously decadent. Echo this in finishing touches elsewhere, such as polished chrome or silver door knobs, candlesticks and picture frames, for a cohesive feel.
The more mirrors the better in an Art Deco-inspired bedroom, and that includes mirrored furniture that feels gloriously decadent. Echo this in finishing touches elsewhere, such as polished chrome or silver door knobs, candlesticks and picture frames, for a cohesive feel.
Add an ottoman or chaise longue
An obsession with all things Egyptian was a hallmark of the Art Deco age after the exciting discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, so it’s no wonder the chaise longue (an ancient Egyptian invention) was a highly coveted piece of furniture. If your bedroom is big enough, a chaise longue, or an ottoman with the benefit of added storage, will instantly ramp up the luxury factor.
An obsession with all things Egyptian was a hallmark of the Art Deco age after the exciting discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, so it’s no wonder the chaise longue (an ancient Egyptian invention) was a highly coveted piece of furniture. If your bedroom is big enough, a chaise longue, or an ottoman with the benefit of added storage, will instantly ramp up the luxury factor.
Install a fireplace
Bring in the strong geometric lines of the machine age with an Art Deco-style fireplace – there are plenty of designs to choose from. Some are more full-on Deco, with full tiling, an Empire State Building-style stepped shape or a decorative fan or sunburst motif in the centre, while other designs offer a more pared-down version reflecting the simple, square shape and parallel lines that characterised the era.
Bring in the strong geometric lines of the machine age with an Art Deco-style fireplace – there are plenty of designs to choose from. Some are more full-on Deco, with full tiling, an Empire State Building-style stepped shape or a decorative fan or sunburst motif in the centre, while other designs offer a more pared-down version reflecting the simple, square shape and parallel lines that characterised the era.
Bring in geometric patterns
With geometric rugs and cushions very much on trend at the moment, this is an easy piece of the puzzle. Look out for designs reminiscent of Egyptian hieroglyphics or African tribal art, which became popular in the jazz age as long-distance travel became more commonplace, and stick to monochrome, which works so well with chrome, silver and black lacquered finishes elsewhere.
Browse ideas for decorating with geometrics
With geometric rugs and cushions very much on trend at the moment, this is an easy piece of the puzzle. Look out for designs reminiscent of Egyptian hieroglyphics or African tribal art, which became popular in the jazz age as long-distance travel became more commonplace, and stick to monochrome, which works so well with chrome, silver and black lacquered finishes elsewhere.
Browse ideas for decorating with geometrics
Don’t forget the details
Ensure that sense of luxury and opulence is carried through to finishing touches with ornate tiebacks featuring long tassels or feathers. Team them with lavish, floor-length curtains that pool onto the floor. Alternatively, go for hooks decorated with metal, onyx or crystal inlaid patterns inspired by nature.
Get expert tips on dressing your windows in style
Ensure that sense of luxury and opulence is carried through to finishing touches with ornate tiebacks featuring long tassels or feathers. Team them with lavish, floor-length curtains that pool onto the floor. Alternatively, go for hooks decorated with metal, onyx or crystal inlaid patterns inspired by nature.
Get expert tips on dressing your windows in style
Adorn your dressing table
Create a beautiful dressing table fit for a Hollywood starlet and have fun with styling. Start with two or three larger anchor pieces, such as an ornate mirror and jewellery stand, before prettifying the space with smaller vintage perfume bottles, favourite necklaces, flowers and trinkets. Use a silver tray to create another mini vignette and your Art Deco bedroom is complete.
TELL US…
Has Art Deco inspired your bedroom – or any other rooms in your home? Share your photos and design ideas in the Comments below.
Create a beautiful dressing table fit for a Hollywood starlet and have fun with styling. Start with two or three larger anchor pieces, such as an ornate mirror and jewellery stand, before prettifying the space with smaller vintage perfume bottles, favourite necklaces, flowers and trinkets. Use a silver tray to create another mini vignette and your Art Deco bedroom is complete.
TELL US…
Has Art Deco inspired your bedroom – or any other rooms in your home? Share your photos and design ideas in the Comments below.
Art Deco was all about symmetry and balance – think of the spire of the Chrysler building in New York or Battersea power station in London.
With your focal point in place, build outwards to create a strong sense of symmetry with bedside tables, lamps, artwork and accessories. If making each side identical feels a little too robotic, vary the artwork and lampshades, but just ensure the proportions and heights are the same.