Art Deco Paint Colours (1920s–1930s)
An Architect's Guide to Art Deco Interior Colour
Art Deco was the colour of confidence. After the restraint of the Edwardian years, the 1920s and 30s brought glamour, geometry and drama: deep jewel tones — sapphire, emerald, amethyst and burgundy — lifted by warm golds and set against crisp, sophisticated neutrals. It was a style built on contrast and luxury, on rooms that made an entrance.
The effect is rich and theatrical, but deliberate. Art Deco colour isn't busy; it's bold used with discipline — a deep, saturated wall balanced by a refined neutral and a glint of gold, letting strong geometry and fine materials do the talking.
As a chartered architect specialising in heritage and conservation, I love the Art Deco palette for the confidence it gives a room. Used thoughtfully, these colours bring genuine period glamour to a 1930s home — or a striking, characterful scheme to a more modern one.
The Art Deco Palette
A curated selection of Earthborn colours capturing the bold, glamorous Art Deco aesthetic:
Toy Soldier — a rich, dramatic blue, perfect for a sapphire feature wall
Balloon Ride — a deep, inky blue with warm green undertones
Trumpet — a deep, chalky blue-purple, plush and amethyst-like
Lady Bug — a richly toned, dramatic burgundy jewel of a colour
Hobgoblin — an easy-going green with a subtle hint of blue
Splashing — a vibrant blue-green, a true peacock tone
Humpty Dumpty — a warm, golden ochre drawn from the clay itself
Three Bears — a deeper, mustardy gold with real richness
Inglenook — a sophisticated blend of taupe, grey and lilac
Donkey Ride — a complex, soft beige for a warm, calm ground
Colour descriptions are a guide only — screen colour varies, so always try a sample on the wall before committing.
Getting the Art Deco Look
Be bold with a jewel tone. Art Deco rooms are built around a deep, saturated colour — a sapphire, emerald or burgundy wall makes the statement the style depends on.
Balance drama with a refined neutral. Pair a strong jewel tone with a sophisticated greige or warm beige like Inglenook or Donkey Ride, so the richness reads as elegant rather than overwhelming.
Add warmth and glint. Golds and ochres like Humpty Dumpty and Three Bears echo the brass, bronze and gilding of the period — lovely as an accent against a deep blue or green.
Consider colour drenching. Carrying one deep tone across walls and woodwork gives the enveloping, luxurious feel that suits a Deco reception room, bar or bedroom.
All colours are available in Earthborn Claypaint — highly breathable and ideal for the lime plaster and solid walls of a 1930s property.
Explore the other period palettes: Georgian · Victorian · Edwardian · or return to the Period Colours guide.
Advice on colours for your Art Deco home? As a chartered architect specialising in heritage, I'm happy to help. Get in touch.