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UK Family Business
Free Delivery Over £80
Next Day Delivery
Trade Discounts
Art Deco is one of the more familiar visual languages in architecture, and so-called “Neo Deco” is one of the hottest design trends for 2026. But how do we distinguish it from its predecessor? And how do we avoid pastiche? We take a closer look at the trend, and explore just how well-suited it is to the modern home.
Art Deco is one of the most distinctive architecture styles of the 20th century, and one that you don’t need to be an architecture student to recognise. Some of the most famous and iconic buildings in the world have been built in this style, including many of the skyscrapers we picture from the American boom years. The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in New York are probably the most recognisable examples, but there are many smaller ones too; the Boston Avenue Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, or the preserved facade of the old Highbury Stadium in London. Inspired in part by industrial ideas from the age of the production line, and by newly-discovered Ancient Egyptian motifs from tombs and pyramids, Art Deco styles could never be accused of being subtle.
Neo Deco sheds a lot of the theatrical heaviness, tending towards modern and understated lines. It also scales down a lot of the more grandiose touches to something that is better suited to a home interior, rather than on top of a skyscraper. The big gestures and dramatic, industrial details tend to get pared down to a few essentials – jewel tones, darker woods, a curve or a sharp angle where you wouldn’t expect. Shiny chrome and brass finishes are used, but sparingly, and each element is employed on its own as a flourish, rather than asking you to commit to the bit for your entire house. It’s less thematic and more customisable, allowing you to incorporate it more easily into your home.
This style is well suited to context here in the UK, where smaller houses with smaller rooms tend to make Art Deco’s flights of fancy look tacky and overbearing. Like parking a limousine outside your terraced house, it can all look a bit ill-judged. Neo Deco avoids that with skill, and allows you to pick and choose the elements that give you the best effect, even in a small space, or as part of a larger whole. You still wouldn’t describe Neo Deco as “understated” exactly – it still retains a little of its older cousin’s drama and glamour – but it is a lot more user-friendly and easier to use in everyday life. Make use of light fittings and singular furniture items to punctuate your theme, or use some of the design motifs that are commonly seen in Art Deco buildings – triangles, zig zags, sun signs and more. These familiar touches can lend your room a bit of opulence without being too Disneyland.
In our view, our Art Deco collection is perfect for achieving that “Neo” look – these little pieces offer you distinct Art Deco touches in a manageable way, making it easy to add a touch of 1930s glamour. This being a new interpretation, you don’t have to be quite so dogmatic in sticking to your look, and our Bordeaux and Calgary collections would make for excellent substitutes. Remember; these are not accents designed to blend into the background, rather they’re the “look” all of themselves, so don’t be afraid of more strident finishes, and pair with deep, regal colours or darker woods for a finish fit for a skyscraper. Remember that materials matter – not just in how they look on the day of installation, but in how they age too.
If you’ve always harboured visions of extravagance, but couldn’t see how that might work in reality, throwing in some Neo Deco touches might help you get towards something coherent and beautiful. The style invites personalisation and interpretation, and gives you some rich elements to make use of in your choices. Art Deco is vast, swaggering and impersonal, while its newer brethren is softer, more domestic and specific. With that in mind, pick a few items carefully to do the heavy lifting (our fittings are perfect!), and don’t be afraid to take some risks. Despite all the talk of restraint, this is still a confident visual language, and best done with a flourish.
