Art Deco style is reminiscent of the early 20th century, when glamor and fashion extravagantly colored the post-war environment. Modern, clean lines in furniture and stylized accessories characterize spaces decorated in the Art Deco style. The colors used are equally important, combining bold and striking shades with neutral and pastel tones.

Vintage paint colors that bring out the Art Deco theme can be selected from some of the well-known paint retailers, like Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Ralph Lauren. The vintage shades add authenticity to the décor and help create a room that evokes the ambiance of the historic era. Use the paint colors on main and accent walls, and to add decorative detail to old furniture.

Neutral backdrops:

White, cream, or beige walls are not uncommon in an Art Deco room. They form a neutral backdrop to striking accent colors and the stylized forms of furniture, lamps, frames, and other accessories in the space. Pale green, blue, and lavender are other wall colors you can consider for your art deco room.

Bold primary colors:

Red and black are often used in an Art Deco space, in the flooring, furniture, and walls. The colors add spice and definition and work well with the neutral shades and rich wood tones. Try painting a red accent wall for dramatic impact in an otherwise neutral-colored room. Echo the same shade of red in the accents around the room, like wall art and red leather upholstery. Black paint in a high gloss finish can transform an old coffee table to blend with the rest of the room. For an Art Deco bathroom, try painting your floor tiles a checkered black and white, a classic look for the era.

Vibrant accents:

Other colors like vintage orange, grape, and green add visual interest and brighten an Art Deco room. Consider using these paint colors in subtle ways like stenciling them in Art Deco patterns on a wall border, or to add a punch of color to accessories. If you are adventurous enough, create a zebra or cheetah print with paint on an art canvas and hang it in your Art Deco room. The exotic animal prints were considered strikingly fashionable in those times.

Metallics:

Gold, silver, and brass accents on furniture and accessories complete the Art Deco style. Create the look of vintage decorative items using metallic paint to accent picture frames, lamp stands, candle holders, and so on. Different antiquing paint techniques are available to give your furniture an antique appearance. For example, use metallic gold paint to apply an antique finish to a buffet table that has been sanded around the corners and edges.

Paint Finishes:

Ragging and stippling are two faux finishes that were popular during the Art Deco period. Ragging involves blotting on a glaze layer over a basecoat of paint, using a damp rag. The two colors are usually a couple of shades apart and the application results in a look of soft fabric. Stippling involves working a stippling brush over a layer of glaze, which produces an interesting sandy texture on the walls.