Bathroom Planning: 10 Steps to Getting the Art Deco Look
If you hanker after an indulgent and pampering retreat, Art Deco glam could be the way to go
Cutting-edge interior designers in the 1920s and 1930s saw the bathroom as one of the most important rooms in the house. It had to be big, bold and glamorous, with add-ons such as a dressing area and sumptuous chaise longue turning bathrooms of the era into spaces in which to linger. No longer just functional, these aspirational rooms were influenced by opulent five-star hotels and Hollywood glamour – think crystal chandeliers, lavish marble and glossy surfaces. So take your cue from the 20th century’s most decadent age with these classic Art Deco-inspired bathroom designs.
Think symmetrical
Symmetry was a key component of Art Deco style, so opt for twin basins, identical mirrors – seek out geometric or stepped designs – and ‘skyscraper’-style vertical oblong wall sconces for either side.
Read more about Art Deco style
Symmetry was a key component of Art Deco style, so opt for twin basins, identical mirrors – seek out geometric or stepped designs – and ‘skyscraper’-style vertical oblong wall sconces for either side.
Read more about Art Deco style
Add metro tiles
They may be ubiquitous right now, but classic metro tiles are popular because they work so well as a base to create a number of looks. Pick a decorative tiled border for some added Art Deco embellishment or, if your room is generously proportioned, be inspired by the ticket office of the former New York City Hall subway station and go for a tiled vaulted ceiling for an OTT style statement.
Browse 10 ways to use classic metro tiles
They may be ubiquitous right now, but classic metro tiles are popular because they work so well as a base to create a number of looks. Pick a decorative tiled border for some added Art Deco embellishment or, if your room is generously proportioned, be inspired by the ticket office of the former New York City Hall subway station and go for a tiled vaulted ceiling for an OTT style statement.
Browse 10 ways to use classic metro tiles
Consider a curved wall
Even if you don’t live in an Art Deco building with classic curved corners, you can have a builder create a curved wall inside. This bathroom has other soft-edged echoes of Art Deco styling, too – such as the round mirror, reflective chrome ball lights and plush rug – that slot into a modern scheme rather than creating a full-on pastiche.
Discover how to create an Art Deco look for your bedroom
Even if you don’t live in an Art Deco building with classic curved corners, you can have a builder create a curved wall inside. This bathroom has other soft-edged echoes of Art Deco styling, too – such as the round mirror, reflective chrome ball lights and plush rug – that slot into a modern scheme rather than creating a full-on pastiche.
Discover how to create an Art Deco look for your bedroom
Opt for lavish materials
Marble or Vitrolite – an opaque pigmented glass – were the materials of choice on walls and floors for an ultra sumptuous Deco look. Mix with reflective and highly polished surfaces, as well as shiny chrome or nickel handles, taps and switches.
Try these 10 ways to harness the beauty of marble
Marble or Vitrolite – an opaque pigmented glass – were the materials of choice on walls and floors for an ultra sumptuous Deco look. Mix with reflective and highly polished surfaces, as well as shiny chrome or nickel handles, taps and switches.
Try these 10 ways to harness the beauty of marble
Encase the bath
Marble surrounds scream luxury and indulgence, as well as providing plenty of space for stylish glass accessories, candles and pretty toiletries. Mirrored panels around the bath are another option, although not entirely practical in a steamy environment – or why not opt for sparkly glass mosaic tiles instead?
Marble surrounds scream luxury and indulgence, as well as providing plenty of space for stylish glass accessories, candles and pretty toiletries. Mirrored panels around the bath are another option, although not entirely practical in a steamy environment – or why not opt for sparkly glass mosaic tiles instead?
Choose statement flooring
Highly decorative flooring was a linchpin of the Art Deco bathroom. If marble floors are out of the question due to cost, opt for classic monochrome chequerboard flooring in tile or vinyl form, or look at the various materials that offer one of the many geometric designs currently making a comeback, such as chevrons, sunbursts or hexagonal honeycombs.
Explore more ideas for bathroom flooring
Highly decorative flooring was a linchpin of the Art Deco bathroom. If marble floors are out of the question due to cost, opt for classic monochrome chequerboard flooring in tile or vinyl form, or look at the various materials that offer one of the many geometric designs currently making a comeback, such as chevrons, sunbursts or hexagonal honeycombs.
Explore more ideas for bathroom flooring
Get ahead of the curve
There are some wonderful examples of Art Deco curved walnut furniture still to be found at antiques markets, so why not transform a stylish cocktail cabinet, small sideboard or bedside table into a basin unit?
Savvy homeowners have been using vintage furniture for years to create unique bespoke units – most notably with Parisian-style bombe chests for a shabby chic bathroom – so copy the idea with Art Deco furniture for something a bit different.
There are some wonderful examples of Art Deco curved walnut furniture still to be found at antiques markets, so why not transform a stylish cocktail cabinet, small sideboard or bedside table into a basin unit?
Savvy homeowners have been using vintage furniture for years to create unique bespoke units – most notably with Parisian-style bombe chests for a shabby chic bathroom – so copy the idea with Art Deco furniture for something a bit different.
Pick an angular shower enclosure
Choosing a shower screen that fits into the Art Deco look is one of the trickiest pieces of the puzzle, as many contemporary models just don’t work. This design is reminiscent of the iconic Crittall windows, which became associated with the Art Deco and Modernist movements of the mid 1920s and early 1930s.
A round, ceiling-mounted shower rose is the perfect choice to contrast with the angular lines as it continues the Art Deco-meets-industrial feel. Team it with a classic square basin featuring chrome legs.
Choosing a shower screen that fits into the Art Deco look is one of the trickiest pieces of the puzzle, as many contemporary models just don’t work. This design is reminiscent of the iconic Crittall windows, which became associated with the Art Deco and Modernist movements of the mid 1920s and early 1930s.
A round, ceiling-mounted shower rose is the perfect choice to contrast with the angular lines as it continues the Art Deco-meets-industrial feel. Team it with a classic square basin featuring chrome legs.
Be daring
Coloured bathroom suites in mint green and yellow were all the rage in the 1930s, but most homeowners would consider them dated rather than classic, and rip them out. Do pause and research design update ideas before doing the same, though, if you happen to have one.
If not, but you might still consider a coloured suite to create a really bold Deco look, perhaps black would fit more happily with the modern aesthetic? It’s not for the faint-hearted, but will certainly give a twist to a monochrome scheme.
TELL US…
What’s your idea of the perfect Art Deco bathroom? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Coloured bathroom suites in mint green and yellow were all the rage in the 1930s, but most homeowners would consider them dated rather than classic, and rip them out. Do pause and research design update ideas before doing the same, though, if you happen to have one.
If not, but you might still consider a coloured suite to create a really bold Deco look, perhaps black would fit more happily with the modern aesthetic? It’s not for the faint-hearted, but will certainly give a twist to a monochrome scheme.
TELL US…
What’s your idea of the perfect Art Deco bathroom? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Wallpaper had a big resurgence in the 1920s, with Parisian and German interior design houses being hugely influential. Vibrant and colourful designs were everywhere, featuring herringbone, shell motifs and even exotic depictions of jungle scenes. After the Great Depression of the 1930s, wallpapers became more subdued, with green, brown and charcoal hues prevailing, while patterns became smaller and more geometric.
Although not many original wallpapers survived, there’s a huge number of reproduction designs influenced by the era. These busy patterns looks great on just one wall or above panelling. If you’re on a tight budget, just order a sample piece, or a length of fabric, and have it framed.