Nearly a century has passed since the dawn of the 1920s and yet there are many elements and décor trends from that era which remain relevant within the 21^st century western world. We’ve spoken of this period before and yet there are so many interesting design nuances and influences from those inter-war daysthat we make no apology for covering old ground. It was a time in history that embraced all things machine and industrial, with the beginnings of the modernist design period with the emphasis on form following function. Art Deco was to manifest this sensibility with bold colours, lavish textures, high contrast, and sleek, clean lines. In addition to the popularity of wood, glamorous lacquered finishes, and chrome, mirrored, metal and glass furniture, as well as animal print accents, epitomise the 1920s inspired bedroom…

Art Deco reacted against art nouveau’s passion for pastels, and instead focused on high contrast colours. If you fancy a less assertive room colour scheme, you might prefer sea green or a deep blue, whilst cream and silver or black is classic 20s Hollywood, as is burnt orange or rich reds for a slightly different twist. Consider also, chocolate brown, hot pink, pure white and ultramarine, which are Art Deco through and through. Remember to keep skirting board and crown mouldings in a deep accent colour in order to accentuate the geometry of the room.

1920s bedroom furniture featured straight clean lines with bullnose curves and simple ornamentation, compared to more detailed rococo and art nouveau designs. Sunburst bed headboards were common with inlaid corona rays in a high gloss veneer finish, whilst upholstered oversized headboards were also in vogue in shimmery fabrics or rich buttoned velours and animal print designs. Varnished wooden bedsteads featuring chevrons or geometric patterns were favourites, in exotic timbers such as ebony or mahogany, whilst mirror finish, chrome bed creations and transitionally styled metal bed designs were also on the art deco scene. Glass and mirrored furniture pieces also defined the era, and these elements would also be found in accents such as drawer pulls and lighting features. Glamorous highly lacquered furniture in piano gloss black, light yellow or deep red were also highly influential in art Deco bedroom decor trends.

Floor décor tended to continue the wood theme, so if you have hardwood bedroom flooring, leave it bare. 1920s art Deco style was all about polished and patterned wood features with chevron and diamond detailing. Fitted wall to wall carpet was popular as were Persian or Turkish rugs featuring geometric patterns. For a glamorous vintage touch include a zebra print accent rug at the foot of the lavish wooden or metal bedstead, and if you want high contrast, go for a bold coloured dark carpet. Some ocean liners even used black within their cabin designs, which was a common trim colour in the 1920s.

For wall treatments, look out for glossy finish paint or wallpaper to realise that authentic 20s style. Wallpaper was very popular and bold vertical stripes and Egyptian motifs reigned. For that Hollywood look, use light creams and tea stained hues for the backdrop tones, accented with gold and silver. Whilst for a more feminine touch consider art deco style floral motifs, as a gentler, but nonetheless authentic alternative room feature with a touch of romance…