Skip to content Art Deco is making a comeback, and there’s no better way to infuse glamour and sophistication into your small living room than with this timeless décor style. It’s bold, it’s elegant and best of all—it’s surprisingly easy to pull off, even in compact spaces. If you want to add flair to your living room while maximizing style without sacrificing function, you’re in the right place!
- In this article, I’ll walk you through 23 fabulous Art Deco décor ideas that transform your small living room into a sleek, stylish haven. We’ll dive into how you can use rich colors, geometric patterns, and luxurious materials to create a space that feels grand, even smait’sHere’s wHere’su’ll lyou’llHow to incorporate bold, statement pieces without overwhelming your space.
- The key Art Deco elements that make any room instantly more chic.
- Easy-to-apply tips to seamlessly blend function and luxury in your small living room.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to infuse your home with the unmistakable charm of Art Deco, and best of all, you’ll be empowered to make your space truly shine.
Bold Geometric Patterns
Art Deco is all about strong, geometric shapes, and you can easily bring this into your small living room by incorporating bold, geometric patterns on your walls or furniture. Think statement wallpaper with angular designs or throw pillows featuring eye-catching lines. These patterns bring a sense of structure and depth to your space, making it feel larger and more cohesive.
Why it’s appetizing: Geometric patterns are striking and add a sense of order to a room, especially in smaller, cluttered spaces. When done right, they bring balance and rhythm to your décor.
Luxe Metallic Accents
No Art Deco space is complete without some glitz, and metallic accents are an easy way to achieve that glamorous vibe. Incorporate brass, chrome, or gold finishes in your living room through mirrors, light fixtures, or small decorative items like trays or picture frames.
Tips for implementation: Don’t goDon’tboard—choose one or two key pieces to showcase your metallics. A chic brass lamp or a gold-edged coffee table can instantly elevate your room without overwhelming the space. The key is to balance luxury with subtlety.
Velvet Upholstery
Velvet is the fabric of choice for Art Deco interiors. Its rich texture and plush look add a touch of elegance and comfort to your living room. Consider adding a velvet sofa, or if space is limited, opt for velvet cushions or a velvet ottoman to capture that same luxurious feel.
Unique aspects: Velvet looks luxurious and adds warmth and coziness, making it perfect for a small living room where you want to feel inviting yet sophisticated. Plus, it’s incredibly durable!
Picture adding a plush velvet armchair in a deep emerald green to the corner of your living room. The luxurious texture makes the room feel cozy. It provides a pop of color that ties in beautifully with your other Art Deco elements, like metallic accents and geometric patterns.
Black and White Color Scheme
A classic black and white color scheme screams Art Deco. This timeless palette creates striking contrast and drama, and in a small living room, it can add a sense of spaciousness. Think black and white patterned rugs, monochrome artwork, or bold black furniture paired with white walls.
How it adds value: Black and white keeps things simple yet powerful. It’s perfect for creating a chic and polished look that feels modern and clean, all while paying homage to classic Art Deco design.
Statement Lighting
Lighting is a key feature in Art Deco design. Opt for a striking chandelier, geometric sconces, a sculptural floor lamp for functional lighting, and an art piece in your living room. Even in a small space, statement lighting can transform the vibe entirely.
Benefits: Not only does the right lighting add an elegant touch, but it can also make your space feel larger and more inviting. Consider warm lighting tones for that perfect cozy glow.
Mirrored Surfaces
Mirrored furniture and décor items are a signature of the Art Deco style. From mirrored coffee tables to decorative wall mirrors, these elements reflect light, making your room feel brighter and adding an instant touch of glamor.
Practical tips: Consider a large mirror over the sofa or a mirrored side table in a small living room. These pieces can make your space appear bigger while contributing to the overall luxe feel of the room.
Imagine walking into your living room and seeing how a large, Art Deco-style mirror above your sofa instantly brightens the space. The sunlight from the window bounces off the mirror, making your small living room feel much more open and inviting, almost as if you’re the size of the room.
Art Deco Wall Art
Nothing ties an Art Deco room together quite like the right wall art. Look for pieces featuring geometric patterns, abstract shapes, or bold colors reminiscent of the 1920s. Whether you go for a large statement piece or a curated gallery wall, art is an easy way to enhance the Art Deco feel.
Why it’s a good choice: Wall art is affordable and flexible for bringing Art Deco into your space. Plus, you can easily swap it out when you want to refresh the room’s vibe without a full redesign.
Rich, Dark Wood Furniture
Dark wood tones such as mahogany or ebony are a hallmark of Art Deco interiors. Consider incorporating furniture made from rich wood, like a sleek sideboard or a coffee table with elegant wood finishes. These pieces bring warmth and sophistication to your small living room.
Tips for maximizing effectiveness: Balance the darkness of the wood with lighter accents like metallics or mirrors. This keeps the room from feeling too heavy while maintaining that classic Art Deco richness.
I once bought a small dark wood coffee table for my living room, and while it seemed like a bold choice at the time, I ended up loving the richness it added to the space. The deep, warm tone brought a touch of sophistication, and paired with lighter décor, it didn’t feel too heavy. Balancing dark pieces with lighter accents can keep the room from feeling overwhelming.
Symmetry and Balance
One of the fundamental principles of Art Deco design is symmetry. Arrange your furniture and décor in pairs or balanced groupings to achieve this effect. For example, matching lamps on either side of the sofa or symmetrical arrangements of cushions can create a sense of harmony.
Unique features: Symmetry enhances the Art Deco vibe and helps make your living room feel more organized and visually pleasing, which is especially important in small spaces.
I’ve experimented with symmetrical setups in my small apartment, like placing matching lamps on either side of my couch. Honestly, it made a surprising difference! The room instantly felt more “put together,” which helped eliminate that scattered, cluttered feeling. Amazingly, something as simple as symmetry can make a space feel more organized and calming.
High-Gloss Finishes
High-gloss finishes on furniture and décor items bring a polished, sleek look to any living room. Whether a lacquered coffee table or a shiny console, these pieces reflect light and add a modern touch to your Art Deco-inspired space.
Why it works well: In a small living room, high-gloss finishes help bounce light around the room, making the space feel more open and airy. Plus, they add that unmistakable Art Deco sheen.
Sculptural Furniture
Art Deco is known for its bold shapes; sculptural furniture pieces can add a modern twist to your living room. Think curved sofas, rounded armchairs, or uniquely shaped coffee tables that double as statement pieces.
How to implement: You can incorporate one or two sculptural furniture pieces in a small space. A sleek, rounded side table or an armchair with bold lines can instantly elevate the room’s style without taking up too much space.
Bold Accent Colors
While Art Deco often features many black, white, and metallics, don’t avoid using bold accent colors. Jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and rich burgundy can add depth and drama to your living room décor.
Practical tips: Use these bold colors sparingly in a small living room to avoid overwhelming the space. Throw pillows, a single accent wall, or a striking piece of furniture can be enough to make a strong visual impact.
Geometric Rugs
A geometric rug is easy to anchor your room in Art Deco style. Look for bold, angular patterns in high-contrast colors like black and white, navy, or deep jewel tones. The rug can be a focal point, bringing the room’s droom’selements together.
Benefits: Rugs help define spaces in a small living room, giving the area a more structured and purposeful feel. Plus, they add comfort and warmth to the space, making it feel cozy and stylish.
Glass and Chrome Accents
Glass and chrome accents are essential in any Art Deco-inspired space. Consider incorporating glass-topped tables, chrome lighting fixtures, or decorative pieces with a reflective finish. These materials bring a modern, polished edge to your living room.
Practical advantages: Glass and chrome accents can help keep the space light and airy, especially in small rooms. They offer a sleek and sophisticated contrast to heavier materials like wood and velvet.
Layered Textures
Incorporating a variety of textures is a great way to add depth to your small living room. From plush velvet cushions to sleek leather armchairs and soft wool throws, the layering of different materials adds interest and richness to the space.
Why it’s a good choice: Mixing textures keeps the room from feeling flat or one-dimensional. It also helps create a more inviting atmosphere, essential for small spaces where comfort and style must work together.
Chevron Patterns
Chevron patterns are a staple of Art Deco design. Whether it’s a chevron-patterned rug, throw pillows, or wallpaper, these zigzag patterns add a sense of movement and energy to your living room.
Tips for maximizing effectiveness: Since the chevron is a bold pattern, use it sparingly in smaller spaces. A rug or a few cushions are enough to make a stylish statement without overwhelming the room.
Art Deco-Inspired Lighting Fixtures
Choosing lighting fixtures with Art Deco-inspired designs can tie the whole room together. Look for lighting that features clean lines, geometric shapes, and metallic finishes. Whether it’s a chandelier, table lamp, or sconce, these fixtures can double as art pieces in your living room.
Unique benefits: Good lighting is essential in a small space; you can add functionality and flair with the right fixtures. Opt for warm lighting to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
Curved Edges
In contrast to sharp geometric shapes, curved furniture, and décor pieces offer a softer, more inviting take on Art Deco. Consider a round coffee table, a sofa with rounded arms, or curved shelving to add a sense of flow and elegance to your living room.
Why it works well: Curved edges help break up the harsh lines often found in smaller spaces, making the room feel more relaxed and comfortable while still staying true to the Art Deco aesthetic.
Marble Finishes
Marble is synonymous with luxury and Art Deco design. While you might not have the space (or budget) for large marble pieces, you can easily incorporate marble accents like coasters, trays, or small side tables.
How to implement: Marble works particularly well when paired with metallic accents like gold or brass, creating a sophisticated and cohesive look in your living room. These small touches can make a big impact, especially in a small space.
Custom Built-In Shelving
Consider custom built-in shelving with an Art Deco twist if your small living room lacks storage space. Opt for clean, geometric lines and dark wood or metallic finishes to blend function and style.
Practical advantages: Built-in shelving maximizes vertical space and adds a permanent, polished look to your living room. It’s a practical solution that complements the Art Deco aesthetic while keeping clutter at bay.
Though I haven’t had custom shelves built, I have played around with DIY shelving units to maximize storage in my small apartment. I realized that vertical space is key, especially in smaller living rooms. Adding these shelves gave me more storage and a place to display décor items that helped personalize the room and reflect my style.
Glamorous Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are an easy and affordable way to introduce Art Deco style into your small living room. Look for pillows with bold geometric patterns, luxurious fabrics like velvet, and metallic detailing. They add comfort while serving as stylish accents.
Unique features: Throw pillows are a great way to experiment with different textures and patterns without making a permanent change. Plus, they switch out seasonally or when you want to refresh your décor.
Lacquered Furniture
Lacquered furniture brings that signature high-gloss, polished look to your living room. A lacquered coffee table or console in bold colors like black, white, or deep green can add instant sophistication to your space.
Benefits: Lacquered furniture reflects light, making your small space feel larger and more open. It also offers a sleek, clean finish that perfectly fits the Art Deco aesthetic.
Statement Wall Art Deco Mural
If you’re fyou’re bold, a mural inspired by Art Deco designs can become the focal point of your living room. Choose a mural with geometric shapes, abstract forms, or a combination of black, gold, and rich colors. This can transform your room into a visual masterpiece.
How to implement: A mural works best on a single wall to avoid overwhelming the space. It’s a gIt’s way to add personal flair to your living room and make it truly unique.
Envision a striking mural on one wall of your living room featuring bold black and gold geometric patterns. It becomes the room’s focal point, creating a sense of drama and sophistication. At the same time, the other walls remain neutral to prevent the space from feeling too busy.
Conclusion
By now, you’ve got plenty of ideas to turn your small living room into a stunning Art Deco haven. From bold geometric patterns to luxurious velvet upholstery, there are many ways to infuse your space with the glamour and sophistication that Art Deco is known for.
Here are the top three takeaways:
- Incorporate bold statement pieces, like geometric patterns and striking metallics, to add structure and elegance to your space.
- Maximize function without sacrificing luxury, using rich materials like velvet and sleek high-gloss finishes.
- Keep your space balanced and inviting by layering textures, using mirrors, and incorporating symmetry to make the most of your small space.
Now that you’ve got the inspiration and ideas to make your living room shine, what’s nwhat’start small—maybe with a glamorous mirror or a pair of velvet cushions—and build from there. How a few Art Deco touches can transform your room will surprise you!
Remember to pin this article for later and share it with friends who could use a little Art Deco magic in their homes. You’ve got this—go forth and create a living room that’s as stylish as it is functional!
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