Geometric lines, fans, arches, touches of gold on a deep background: Art Deco is one of the most elegant styles in the history of decoration. And today it is making a strong comeback, especially on walls. An Art Deco wallpaper is enough to give a room a chic, warm look. Here is everything you need to know to choose it well and pair it well.
Where does Art Deco come from?
Art Deco was born in the 1910s and had its golden age in the 1920s and 1930s. Its name comes from the great International Exhibition of Decorative Arts held in Paris in 1925. It was the era of the Roaring Twenties: people loved modernity, speed, luxury and clean shapes.
Belgium has fine examples of this style, such as the Villa Empain in Brussels. It should not be confused with Art Nouveau, slightly older and also very present in Brussels with the houses of Victor Horta.
Art Nouveau or Art Deco: the difference
- Art Nouveau (around 1890–1910) loves soft curves inspired by nature: vines, flowers, lilies, waving stems.
- Art Deco (around 1920–1939) prefers geometry: straight lines, symmetry, fans, arches, stepped patterns, chevrons.
The two styles work very well together in a home. We have brought them together in our Art Nouveau and Art Deco wallpaper collection.
Typical Art Deco patterns
- Fans and repeated semicircles, perhaps the most recognisable pattern.
- Arches and stepped shapes, recalling the architecture of the period.
- Radiating lines, like a rising sun.
- Stylised flowers and palms: nature, but drawn geometrically.
- Chevrons, diamonds and regular geometric patterns. See also our geometric wallpaper collection.
Art Deco colours
Art Deco loves contrast. The most classic combinations are:
- Emerald green and gold: deep, chic, timeless.
- Midnight blue and gold: very elegant, perfect for an evening mood.
- Black and gold, or black and cream: graphic and striking.
- Powdery tones (coral, pink, sage): a softer, brighter and very current version.
Deep colours are often the most successful. For more ideas, see our dark wallpaper selection.
Where to hang Art Deco wallpaper?
The living room
This is the ideal room. An Art Deco feature wall behind the sofa instantly gives a Parisian salon feel. Pair it with a velvet sofa, a round coffee table and a brass lamp. More tips in our article living room wallpaper.
The dining room
Art Deco is made for entertaining. In a dining room, it creates the atmosphere of a smart restaurant, especially with a statement pendant light above the table.
The bedroom
Behind the bed, an Art Deco wallpaper in deep colours gives the feel of an elegant hotel. Choose a fairly regular pattern to keep a sense of calm. See also wallpaper behind the bed.
The hallway and toilet
These are small rooms where you can be bold. A strong Art Deco pattern makes a big impact on a small surface.
How to pair it without overdoing it
- One wall is enough. Art Deco has character: let it breathe by keeping the other walls plain, in a colour taken from the pattern.
- Simple furniture. Soft curves, velvet, dark wood, marble or brass: a few well-chosen pieces are enough.
- Gold in moderation. If the wallpaper has gold touches, keep metal elsewhere to a few details (a lamp, a frame, handles).
- Good lighting. Wall lights, table lamps, a pendant: warm light brings out the lines and the sheen.
- Plants. A large palm or a plant with graphic leaves completes the look perfectly.
Why choose made-to-measure Art Deco wallpaper?
Art Deco is all about symmetry and regularity. With made-to-measure wallpaper, the pattern is printed to the exact size of your wall, and the numbered 50 cm strips are hung edge to edge so the lines match up. In the preview, you see the result at the scale of your wall before ordering.
All our designs are exclusive and printed on a premium PVC-free non-woven paper that is breathable and washable. Hanging is simple: you paste the wall, not the paper, and one pot of paste covers about 10 m². Follow our hanging guide, and start by measuring your wall correctly.
Production takes 3 to 5 working days, and delivery is free. If you report a printing defect within 14 days, we reprint for free.
Fancy a home with a Roaring Twenties touch? Discover our Art Nouveau and Art Deco wallpaper collection and all our exclusive Wallnia designs.
