From Geometric Patterns To Gilded Glamour: DP’s Guide To Art Deco Interiors
Transform your contemporary home with the irresistible charisma of Art Deco, blending bold geometry, luxurious materials and statement lighting.
Whether wandering through the anachronistic cul-de-sacs of Khotachiwadi in South Mumbai or gazing up at the monolithic edifices lining the Esplanade in Kolkata, the legacy of Art Deco in India reveals itself only to those with a discerning eye. This hypnotic, multi-layered style of the 1920s picked up where the Art Nouveau movement left off, defined by its geometric forms, curved balconies, and the iconic ‘chajja’ awnings that imbue heritage walks in India’s bustling cities with age-defying charm.
The phenomenon of Indian Art Deco architecture, once the hallmark of grand theatres and hotel lobbies, now brings a sense of luxury and history into contemporary living spaces. The same bold symmetry and opulent materials have subtly trickled into interiors through striking embellishments like bevelled mirrors that augment light and space, statement lighting fixtures that serve as functional art and elaborate parquet flooring that immerses spaces with operatic elegance. Here are five refined ways to incorporate the visual language of this bygone era into your home.
Wall sconces, a hallmark of Art Deco, often feature sleek, angular silhouettes or stylised motifs like sunbursts and fans. (Image Credits: Cottonbro Studio/Pexels)
1. Lighting Up Luxury Spaces
Lighting is key to infusing your home with Art Deco charm. Opt for fixtures that balance vintage elegance with practicality. Choose showstopping chandeliers with cascading crystals or tiered designs to make an impact in dining rooms or entrance foyers. Wall sconces with geometric patterns add a subtle, sophisticated glow to powder rooms or hallways, while sculptural table and floor lamps with frosted glass shades bring understated glamour to cosy nooks or bedside tables. For a true reflection of Indian Deco-inspired decor, pair these lights with reflective surfaces—mirrored walls, glossy finishes or metallic accents—to amplify their warm glow and create a luxurious ambience that feels timeless yet contemporary.
Introduce metallic accents through accessories like vases, picture frames, or heirloom clocks (Image Credit: Sena Yılmaz/Pexels)
2. Weaving Gold And Metal Into Deco Dreams
In Indian Art Deco interiors, metal reigns as a defining aesthetic, celebrated for its lustrous appeal and adaptability. Brass, copper, nickel, and chrome are seamlessly integrated into furniture accents. Gilded artwork that dances with light or coffee tables with metallic legs anchors the room in a Victorian-inspired grandeur. From antique grandfather clocks and colossal vases to latticed Deco ‘jali’ designs, these ostentatious elements transform any room into a haven of glamour.
French designer Baptiste Bohu blends Art Deco, French Classicism and Contemporary design in this distinctive Shanghai apartment, incorporating antique Indian mirrors and doors for a rich, globally inspired aesthetic. (Image Credits: Baptiste Bohu)
3. Mirrors And Gleaming Perspectives
During the 1920s and 1930s, mirrors went beyond their function and became a symbol of modern luxury, often complemented with gorgeously carved frames or bevelled edges. These mirrors were strategically placed to amplify light, create the illusion of greater space and elevate the overall sumptuousness. Reflective surfaces were not limited to mirrors alone—glossy, lacquered wood and even luminous marble became staples of the style. This revival of Art Deco can be seamlessly blended with modernist architecture through metal accents like brass fixtures or chrome hardware in a powder room exuding an inimitable quality of decadence.
Also Read: A Look At This Modern Art-Deco Inspired Farmhouse In Ghitorni, New Delhi
Bold colours, layered textures and ostentatious wallpapers are the predominant design elements of the Ghitorni Residence by Untitled Design. (Image Credits: Niveditaa Gupta)
4. Ornamental Walls That Steal The Show
Wallpapers in the Art Deco style are unapologetically dramatic. Designs frequently embrace stylised depictions of exotic biodiversity—palm fronds, peacock feathers or gazelles—imbued with a sense of escapism and grandeur. Geometric patterns showcasing grids, stepped forms and interlocking shapes, are equally popular. To incorporate Art Deco wall treatments in contemporary spaces, consider statement wallpaper with metallic accents or inlays of mirror, plaster panels with frieze moulding or a living room wall adorned with oversized murals. Their versatility allows them to steal the show in small homes, where a single feature wall can transform an entire room. Many options are also DIY-friendly, enabling homeowners to bring a touch of personalised glamour to their spaces with ease.
Parquet flooring in herringbone patterns, terrazzo with geometric designs, or tiled floors featuring contrasting colours are common elements in Art Deco. (Image Credit: Max Vakhtbovycn/Pexels)
5. Mastering Symmetry And Bold Patterns
Welding Indian Deco-inspired decor with the precision of streamlined architecture can elevate even the simplest of rooms into a sophisticated, timeless space. To channel this aesthetic, start from the ground up—opt for sleek marble flooring, chequered tiles or parquetry in mesmerising herringbone patterns. When it comes to décor, ornate shapes like trapezoids, chevrons and sunbursts should be your go-to. From Bauhaus-inspired stained glass windows to statement rugs adorned with bold zigzag motifs, such lavish detailing strikes a balance between dynamism and polished finesse.
As Art Deco preservation efforts in India continue to flourish, this elegant style is being infused into modern homes across the country, ensuring that the spirit of the Roaring 20s design remains a key influence. From the luminous sheen of metallic accents to the craftsmanship of bevelled mirrors, every facet of this style reflects the era’s commitment to luxury and innovation.
Also Read: Tracing The Glorious History Of Art Deco In Bombay With Walkitecture
