Modernising art deco homes
- Lynne Whitteker
- Consultant
In short
Most people buy an art deco home for its character and want to restore rather than gut it, but some updates are necessary, especially weather-tightness and insulation, as these homes were built to face the street, not the sun. The trick is renovating service areas (kitchen, bathroom, laundry) while restoring original features in living spaces. Bring back the era's personality with the right fabrics and wallpapers (Art Nouveau, Art Deco or Streamline Modern), and choose minimalist blinds like honeycombs, Venetians or Elegance Shades that suit the windows without hiding decorative detail.
Many people buy an art deco home because they love the character and want to restore rather than renovate the interior. Some updates are practical and necessary though, such as weather-tightness and insulation or energy efficiency, especially as art deco homes were designed to face the street, not follow the sun. Here is our advice on what likely needs bringing into the 21st century, and how to keep the home's special character.
Table of contents
What to renovate and what to restore
For the best of both worlds, character and contemporary living, we suggest renovating service areas (kitchen, bathroom, laundry) to improve usability while retaining original features such as decorative mouldings, archways and windows in the living spaces. If you want more space, add it as an extension out the back to keep the decorative street front. Common modernisations include:
Roof alterations and stucco re-cladding
Re-wiring and installing insulation
Relining internal walls, or removing them to create open-plan living
Replacing wooden windows with aluminium frames
Adding decks, patios and external doors
Be sure to check first whether your local council has restrictions protecting the special character of art deco homes.
How to get the art deco look
Curtain fabrics and wallpapers are a great way to give a home authentic personality. What most of us call art deco actually spans a few eras, so here is a quick summary.
Art Nouveau
Typified by decorative motifs inspired by nature, in both soft furnishings and hard features like ceiling mouldings. Choose jewel tones and opulent, intricate patterns drawn from nature, such as peacock feathers, dragonflies, flower and leaf shapes and curving lines.
Art Deco
All about glamour, opulence and what was then ultra-modern. Decorate with fabrics and wallpapers in repeating geometric patterns, steps, zig-zags, arches, angular intertwining lines, even animal prints. Use contrasting colours such as silver and gold on black and cream, and materials like chrome, bronze, marble and polished walnut.
Streamline Modern
Inspired by advances in aviation and industrial machinery, this style heroes practicality and simplicity over ornateness, though patterns still echo repeating arcs and layered zig-zags. Introduce materials like glass-block walls and mirrored panelling, and choose neutral colours paired with semi-muted blues and greens.
Blinds for art deco windows
For a more contemporary feel, blinds are often minimalist, so they will not detract from decorative internal features. Our honeycomb blinds have a softer look and insulate well, which can be necessary in an older art deco home. Venetian blinds work well too, their timeless linear look both modern and in keeping with an art deco mood. We also offer Elegance Shades, a hybrid of blind and curtain that is ideal for large windows and glass doors: it tilts for light and privacy control like a vertical blind, then closes to the look of a light-filtering curtain.
Whatever era you are drawn to, our consultants can help you find window furnishings to suit. Request a free in-home consultation to get started.
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Frequently asked questions
What should you renovate versus restore in an art deco home?
Renovate the service areas (kitchen, bathroom, laundry) to improve usability, and restore original features like decorative mouldings, archways and windows in the living spaces. If you need more room, extend out the back so the decorative street front is kept intact. Always check whether your council protects the home's special character first.
What practical updates do older art deco homes usually need?
Because art deco homes were designed to face the street rather than the sun, weather-tightness and insulation or energy efficiency are common priorities. Typical work includes re-cladding and roof alterations, re-wiring, adding insulation, relining or removing internal walls for open-plan living, replacing wooden windows with aluminium, and adding decks or external doors.
How do I get the art deco look with fabrics?
The look spans a few eras. Art Nouveau favours nature-inspired motifs and jewel tones; Art Deco uses glamorous geometric patterns (steps, zig-zags, arches) and contrasting colours like silver or gold on black and cream; Streamline Modern is simpler, with neutral colours and semi-muted blues and greens. Curtain fabrics and wallpapers are an easy way to bring the personality in.
What blinds suit art deco windows?
Minimalist blinds work well as they will not detract from decorative features. Honeycomb blinds have a soft look and insulate well, which suits older homes; Venetians offer a timeless linear look that fits an art deco mood; and Elegance Shades, a hybrid of blind and curtain, are ideal for large windows and glass doors.
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