Art Deco isn't suddenly back, but it does seem to be everywhere, all at once. Why? Some say it's a response to minimalism burnout (is Art Deco the anti-quiet luxury?), others see the trend as in keeping with fashion's typical cycle of rediscovering itself every few years. Whatever the reason, it’s on TikTok's For You Pages, which means if it’s not already in your living room, it might be soon.
Below is a bite-sized history, a few important references, and some Art Deco elements to try working into your spaces.
What makes it Art Deco?
In its contemporary manifestations, Art Deco is defined by symmetrical patterns in contrasting colors, geometric shapes and sharp lines. Almost always a shiny chrome or metal works to underscore the palette, which while bold tends to be muted; black outlines give shape to browns, reds, mosses and umbers. Think intersecting chevrons, arched peacock-like fans, sunbursts and stylized figures. Gold almost always has a strong presence.
When asked to describe Art Deco, many reach for words like glamorous, extravagant, and bold. Ask historians and they'll tell you there is no singular definition. When John Malkovich described the Chrysler Building, one of the world’s most famous examples of Art Deco architecture, in a 10-minute short documentary for the BBC in 1994, he used the word eccentric: “It’s so crazy and vigorous in its execution, so breathtaking in its vision, so brilliantly eccentric.”
Read more: https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/a64555133/art-deco-design-trend-2025/