Consultants share the right way to convey classic allure into your house with standout design components from the Nineteen Twenties, ’30s, and ’40s.
The Nineteen Twenties via Forties have been all about class and intention. Interiors from this period mixed daring design with performance – assume curving strains, geometric patterns, built-ins, and wealthy supplies like wooden, brass, and velvet.Whether or not you’re redesigning a historic house in New Orleans or hoping so as to add extra character to a smooth residence in Philadelphia, this period affords loads of inspiration. We requested design consultants to share their favourite methods to convey classic type into trendy areas, right here’s the right way to get the look.
1. Incorporate curves, glass, and metallic accents
“The speed lines and curving contours of 1920s and ’30s Art Deco design infuse modernist minimalism with an elegance redolent of high society, glamour, and celebrity,” informs Vince, an knowledgeable in historic structure from Vince Michael. “Almost a century later, curving walls of glass block, stacked pylons, and ribbed cornices still convey elegance and sophistication. You often see this echoed in subway tile backsplashes, shower stall speed lines, and circular or oval accent mirrors with beveled edges.”
2. Mix kind and performance with built-ins and geometric particulars
“Design from the 1920s to 1940s carries a quiet elegance—built-ins, geometric lines, and natural materials that reflect a deep sense of purpose,” advises Henry from the Frank Lloyd Wright Basis. “These details echo Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of organic architecture, where every element serves a function and responds to its surroundings. Built-ins remain a beloved feature, often reinterpreted today to create spaces that feel both grounded and fluid. When balanced thoughtfully with modern design, these vintage touches bring warmth, clarity, and a sense of belonging to the spaces we live in.”
3. Deliver classic allure via coloration and character
“We love the elegance of 1920s–1940s design—especially the curved lines, elegant bar carts, and tufted sofas,” says Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto, founders of Park & Oak. “The rich mix of gold, oranges, and blues is still popular today, and gold accents are making a strong comeback. Floral patterns, ruffles, and scalloped edges from the 1940s are also trending again, bringing vintage charm into modern spaces.”
4. Combine daring particulars and pure finishes
“I love how 1920s–1940s design brings warmth and character to homes, especially with the use of natural wood finishes that are often missing in modern contemporary designs. As an interior designer,” says Kanika, Principal Inside Designer, Kanika Design, “I really enjoy using different types of moldings in bold colors, which add drama and a touch of vintage charm. One of my favorite timeless features is a black and white checkerboard floor—it’s a classic look that I often recommend to clients for remodeling projects because it complements modern interiors beautifully. Mixing these vintage elements creates a balanced space that feels both fresh and full of personality.”
5. Use patterns for timeless glamour
“Art Deco was a popular style during the Roaring Twenties and is one of our favorites,” mentions Shirin from And Academy. “It featured daring, geometric patterns and opulent supplies to create glamorous, high-impact interiors. Its sensible use of sharp strains and stylized motifs—mixed with smooth furnishings—ends in a glance that feels timeless.
In trendy inside design, incorporating geometric patterns with a touch of metallic accents could make the right assertion for householders trying to mix sophistication with a contact of old-school glamour.”
6. Protect unique particulars at any time when attainable
“I’m a hard-core retro enthusiast and renovated my kitchen entirely in 1920s/30s style, with only a small apartment-size dishwasher added for convenience,” says Therese Poletti Writer/Journalist at Timothy Pflueger. “All my light fixtures are either rewired originals or high-quality reproductions.”
What I typically see in trendy remodels—painted-over wooden, generic fixtures, and the elimination of unique particulars—actually upsets me,” Therese continues. “So much character gets lost in the process. It is possible to upgrade a home without stripping away its history. I recently toured a Spanish Colonial in Berkeley that had its vibrant bathrooms and original charm replaced with sterile white and gray interiors—it looked clean, but the soul was gone.”
7. Embrace California Spanish Revival type
“In Malibu, California, homes built between the 1920s and 1940s showcase the classic early California Spanish design,” Brian Merrick, a Malibu Actual Property Agent shares. “These residences characteristic purple tile roofs, white or earth-toned plaster partitions, and charming inside courtyards. Intricate wooden and wrought iron particulars add character, whereas arched home windows and vibrant tile work on counter tops and flooring improve their timeless enchantment. This architectural type stays as enduring and sought-after right this moment because it was a century in the past.
8. Reimagine classic components for contemporary properties
Styldod mentions, “We love how the Nineteen Twenties–Forties design period blended daring artistry with timeless class. The geometric precision of Artwork Deco, the wealthy coloration palettes of the Thirties, and the natural sophistication of Forties Artwork Nouveau proceed to encourage trendy interiors. We regularly incorporate checkerboard flooring in softer hues, brass and chrome accents for a refined but modern contact, and built-in shelving so as to add each character and performance. These classic components, when reimagined via the lens of right this moment’s open layouts and minimalist sensibilities, create areas that really feel each nostalgic and effortlessly trendy
9. Let design mirror each previous and current
“The way architectural styles from different eras can complement and enhance one another is truly fascinating,” says Susan Edwards from Architect Builder Group. “Incorporating components from the previous into trendy design brings a way of historical past and character to modern areas, whereas nonetheless providing the performance and luxury we worth right this moment.
For instance, the Nineteen Twenties to Forties supply a singular mix of Artwork Deco’s daring geometry that pairs fantastically with the clear strains and open layouts of contemporary properties. Or think about how rustic, handcrafted components from Craftsman design—like uncovered rafters and built-ins—may be balanced with lighter palettes and up to date supplies to respect the previous whereas refreshing the house. This considerate combine typically creates a timeless look that feels each present and rooted in heritage. It’s like a dialog between eras—and it’s one we love being a part of.”
10. Spotlight architectural particulars for depth and dimension
“I absolutely love the architecture and design from the 1920s to 1940s. I actually live in a home built in 1920 and appreciate the thoughtful details throughout,” Libby Rawes from Sharp & Gray Interiors mentions.”My favourite components are the assorted varieties of molding—substantial baseboards, stairwells with distinctive trim, and the usage of crown molding, wainscoting, chair rails, and different options that add depth and dimension.
I’m an enormous fan of incorporating architectural element into each design. When working in an older house, I all the time protect its unique allure, and in newer properties, I deliberately add character to present the house some soul. From partitions and staircases to cabinetry, these touches assist create that timeless, old-world really feel.”
11. Use daring supplies and powerful strains
“What stands out about 1920s–1940s design is the mix of elegance and bold geometry,” recommends Valentina City, Designer at LiLi Tile. “Even during challenging times like the Great Depression, interiors were rich in detail, strong lines, and quality materials—a style that still resonates today.”
“At LiLi Tile, we bring this era into the present through our Elite collection, which combines brass and cement for an industrial yet glamorous look. We also use signature Art Deco geometry and colors—deep teals, browns, and soft blush tones—in many of our patterns. Even small details like geometric lighting or vintage decor can add character and create a timeless, balanced space.”
12. Play with grid patterns and luxe finishes
Susan Bednar Lengthy from S. B. Lengthy Interiors says, “After I consider inside design from the Nineteen Twenties–Forties, I consider unique woods, wealthy materials, streamlined silhouettes, metallic accents, and—most of all—geometric and grid patterns. Impressed by French designers Jean-Michel Frank and Pierre Chareau, I typically incorporate graphic grids into my initiatives.
In a current main toilet, I designed a bronze metal-framed glass bathe wall in a daring grid sample, paired with hand-glazed comfortable blue sq. tiles stacked on the partitions and flooring. The look is elegant, but utilitarian. This grid theme continues all through the residence—with brass-framed kitchen cabinetry, end-cut oak flooring laid in a sq. grid, and rectangular suede wall panels within the main bed room separated by bronze reveals. These components are trendy however rooted within the timeless class of the period.”
13. Add character via furnishings and coloration
“One of my favorite aspects of furniture and interior design from the 1920s to 1940s is how colorful and elegant they are,” says Kimberly Que of FROY. “Many popular interior styles today lean too heavily on neutral tones—I’m looking at you, modern farmhouse—which can result in homes that feel generic and lack personality. By contrast, design styles that flourished in the 1930s, like Art Deco and Hollywood Glam, are vibrant and contemporary. Introduce a table, couch, or chair inspired by these vintage-modern styles to bring in colors like gold, china blue, mauve, seafoam, and other misty shades—often showcased in sleek geometric or curved forms.”
14. Don’t be afraid to go daring
“I tend to go as bold as the space allows, using jewel tones in accessories, wallpaper, and art, along with wide crown molding and furniture with curved edges,” says Holly Kalisher from HK Interiors. “My focus is on pieces with structure and strong design that serve the space. This era was forward-thinking—minimalist in its time—and many elements still work today. For example, Art Deco light fixtures pair well with smart bulbs, and vintage furniture shapes can be refreshed with high-gloss or shimmering finishes.”
