The Art Deco period was known for being a little over-the-top. History buffs will remember the Art Deco movement (of the early 20th century) for its emphasis on bold shapes, deep colors, and luxurious accents. And even non-history buffs will surely recognize iconic Art Deco fixtures, like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. (If you’re still drawing a blank, picture any scene from Baz Lurhmann’s 2013 film The Great Gatsby, and you’ll be set.)
The Art Deco movement was chiefly about three things: it was sleek in its commitment to clean lines and geometrical shapes, it was kitschy in its love of striking colors and stylized prints, and it was glamorous in its appreciation for luxurious materials. This trifecta makes the Art Deco look a little tough to pull off, albeit truly special when done right. Increasingly, designers are sneaking the aesthetic into spots where you’d least expect it—like the bathroom.
With a bold mirror, some printed wallpaper, and a striking chandelier, you can piece together an Art Deco time capsule that leaves even your toilet looking glamorous. Several designers have braved the Art Deco bathroom, and they’ve blessed us with plenty of Art Deco bathroom ideas worth emulating.
01 Snag a Geometric Light Fixture
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Art Deco light fixtures are some of the most striking around. So, one easy way to add flair to your bathroom? Hang a sleek, geometric chandelier. Leave the light alone, and make it the sole show-stopper in your space, or sprinkle in other Art Deco details, like printed wallpaper and high-contrast tiles.
02 Flank Your Mirror With Sconces
Symmetry is huge in any Art Deco design scheme, and while there are plenty of ways to make your space look symmetrical, flanking your mirror with sconces is a particularly eye-catching one. By placing two matching accents so close together, you’ll draw attention to the symmetry you’ve created, making your design choice striking, rather than subtle.
03 Commit to a Striking Tile Color:strip_icc():format(webp)/art-deco-bathroom-ideas-3-tyler-karu-hills-beach-924318f941d349c0b6017e14eac47f93.jpeg)
Art Deco is all about crisp shapes and bold colors, so don’t be afraid to go big with your palette. Stock up on tiles in a shade you love looking at and turn your entire shower into a pop of color. And remember, striking doesn’t have to mean bright, though it definitely can if you want it to.
04 Add Luxury With Drapes
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Art Deco may be sleek and hard-edged, but it’s also fun and luxurious, so look for opportunities to add glamour to your space. Drapes may not be the first thing you think to hang in your bathroom, but that non-obvious touch of elegance should go a long way.
05 Set the Scene With Wallpaper
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At its heart, Art Deco is about decoration, and really, what’s more decorative than wallpaper? Snag a bold print in a striking palette to immediately set the tone in your space.
06 Invest in Luxe Lighting
Lighting is a necessity in any bathroom, and since hanging a few striking light fixtures can be a great way to cement the aesthetic you’re curating, don’t be afraid to go bold. Snag a chandelier that boasts Art Deco’s sleek geometric forms, and bring your space together with a couple of matching sconces.
07 Pair Stripes With Parallelograms
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Art Deco is known for its crisp geometry, but don’t limit yourself to classic shapes like circles, squares, and ovals. Remember that less obvious shapes like trapezoids and parallelograms can be just as fun to play with. Keep in mind that striking prints, like stripes and polka dots, can be yet another way to bring shapes into your space.
08 Put a Marble Inlay in Your Shower
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Few things scream Art Deco like a marble inlay in a shower. Why? Marble is a luxurious material that pays homage to the glamour of the era. And, depending on the way you structure your inlay, you can also nod to Art Deco’s sleek lines and stepped forms.
09 Craft a Sunburst With Your Backsplash
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One of the lesser-appreciated motifs from the Art Deco period is the sunburst. Sun-shaped mirrors, headboards, and light fixtures inspired by the period are abundant. And because this is Art Deco we’re talking about, you can rest assured knowing those sunbursts look characteristically geometric and sleek.
Buying a sunburst-shaped mirror is one easy way to incorporate this trend into your bathroom, but another is to use your backsplash tiles to craft a sunburst design that branches out from your mirror as shown above.
10 Don’t Be Afraid to Get Kitschy
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Art Deco may be about sleek lines and luxurious details, but it’s also about fun—so don’t be afraid to get a little kitschy. Line your walls with vibrant wallpaper, and pick the shiniest sink you can find. In another décor scheme, these elements might read out-of-place, but surrounded by the sleek-yet-spirited elements that characterize Art Deco, they should fit right in.
11 Pick Mirrors That Look Like Prisms
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It isn’t hard to find an Art Deco mirror. Thanks to the period’s emphasis on geometry, just about any circular, square, or rectangular mirror will do. But if you want something that’s a little less obvious, consider snagging an Art Deco-inspired statement-maker—like a mirror that looks like a prism. The triangles lining the mirror’s edge will nod to the era’s commitment to sleek lines, while adding a little visual interest to your space.
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