Art Deco Bathrooms

Art Deco bathrooms reflect the era between the early 1920s and the late 1930s. Art Deco's popularity carried over into the bathroom, taking up the design principles established during the Victorian era when bathrooms were no longer treated as though they still belonged outside as a separate structures.

Before You Start Redecorating

There are some things you should know about Art Deco before you set out redecorating your bathroom. Art Deco was an international art movement that swept through the years between 1925 and 1939.

Art Deco Design Influences

Art Deco influenced all of the decorative arts which included interior design and architectural design.

Art Deco reached beyond these two forms of design and was embraced by:

• Fashion
• Painting
• Graphic Arts
• Photography and Film
• Housewares and Decorative Accessories
• Jewelry

Art Deco Design Principles

Art Deco was a new and fresh approach to design. It followed closely on the heels of the Victorian era and was easy to incorporate into existing homes to add a feel of eclectic style.

Art Deco was considered not only a modern form of functional design, but also an elegant art expression. It incorporated many styles from former art movements, taking the best design elements to combine them into a new design creation that was functional and expressive. Art Deco used color to accent eye-catching designs of beveled glass and wood inlays.

While this art style was considered opulent and even extravagant, unlike some art movements, Art Deco wasn’t created as a political statement of unrest or dissatisfaction. It was purely an artistic expression that appealed to the senses.

Mixture of Styles and Past Design Movements:

• Art Nouveau
• Cubism
• Modernism
• Neoclassical
• Constructivism
• Futuristic

Color Is Important

Some of the most popular colors used during this era were the combination of mint green, rose pink and black. Black and white were often used together in stark contrast. Geometric shapes were typical Art Deco motifs. Black was used as a border tile where the tile stopped about three-quarters up the wall. The tile was often laid at a lower height in part of the bathroom to create a dramatic effect before climbing back to the three-quarter mark.

Popular Bathroom Two-Color Combinations

• Green and Black
• Pink and Black
• White and Black

Shape and Form

The shapes and structures often used with Art Deco were based on mathematical geometric patterns. Many were curved as well as angular and combined to give a dramatic design to the lines of light fixtures, furniture, lamps, and even jewelry. Art Deco reached its height during the Roaring Twenties and was considered to be an eclectic artfrom since it was a combination of so many other art movements and principles. The contemporaries of that time period viewed Art Deco as elegant modernism.

Fixtures: Art Deco Bathrooms

Fixtures during the Art Deco movement changed just like other aspects of furniture and architecture changed.

Faucets and Towel Racks

Water faucets, knobs, towel racks, soap dishes, and other bathroom fixtures were stylish, often finished in highly polished nickel.

• Bath Fixtures

Bathtubs

The bathtub was an important focal point of the Art Deco bathroom. The same style of function was reflected in the newer bathtubs that were molded and placed against the walls often surrounded by tile work. Some of the tubs used were pedestal tubs and many people couldn’t afford to replace their tubs, so you’ll find a clawfoot tub in an Art Deco bathroom. The tub gives a nostalgic feel to the overall design and works well with the eclectic properties of Art Deco.

• Art Deco Tubs
• Clawfoot Tub
• Pedestal Tub

Sinks or Lavatories

Pedestal sinks were very popular as Art Deco fixtures because they could be shaped and molded into works of art.

• Art Deco Lavatory
• Pedestal Sink
• Art Deco Sink
• Excellent Reproduction Sink

Toilets or Commodes

Toilets or commodes were still limited in design and typically design followed function.

• Signature Hardware

Other Design Elements

To create the ambiance of Art Deco on a budget, you can use glass, chrome or nickel, and mirrors. Add geometric patterns with accessories, frames, photo mats, and even towel patterns.

Lighting

Lighting was a work of art often with modern lines. Sconces or globes were frosted and many times had a geometrical pattern embossed on the shade.

• Shop Bathroom Lighting

Flooring and Wall Tiles

The flooring used in the bathrooms was always tile. One of the most popular shapes was an octagonal or hexagon tile. This was often white with decorative tiles placed in the overall floor pattern. The walls were a solid rectangular tile. Popular colors were pink, mint green, or white with a black top border.

• Decorative Art Deco Tiles

Cabinetry and Doors

Built-ins were very popular in the mid 1920s with glass-pane doors. Few bathrooms had built-in cabinets. Any cabinetry would be found in a stand alone piece of furniture.

Bringing It All Together

Once you select all of the design elements and fixtures that go into Art Deco bathrooms, you can begin your project and soon be enjoying a stylish new bathroom.

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