Experts share how to bring vintage appeal to your home with outstanding design elements from the 1920s, 30s and 40s.
The 1920s and 1940s were all about elegance and intention. The interiors of this era combine bold design with functionality. Think of a wide range of materials, including curved lines, geometric patterns, built-in, wood, brass, velvet and more. We asked design experts to share their favorite ways to bring vintage styles into modern spaces.
1. Incorporate curved, glass and metal accents
“The speed lines and curved outlines of Art Deco designs of the 1920s and 30s infuse modernist minimalism and experience high society, charm and celebrity elegance.” “Nearly a century later, the curved walls of glass blocks, stacked pylons and ribbed cornice still convey something of elegance and refinement.
2. Blend forms and features with built-in and geometric details
“Designs from the 1920s to the 1940s have a quiet elegance, including buildings, geometric lines and natural materials that reflect a deep sense of purpose,” advises Henry of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. “These details reflect Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of organic architecture where all the elements function and respond to their surroundings. The built-in is reinterpreted today, often creating spaces that feel both ground and liquid.
3. Bring vintage charms through colours and characters
“We love the elegance of designs from the 1920s to 1940s, especially the curved lines, elegant bar carts and tufted sofas,” says Christina Samatas and Renee Disanto, founders of Park & Oak. “Today, the rich mix of gold, orange and blues is still popular, with gold accents making a strong comeback. The 1940s floral patterns, ruffles and scalloped edges are again trending, bringing vintage appeal to modern spaces.”
4. Mix bold details with natural finishes
“I love the way designs from the 1920s to 1940s bring warmth and character to the home, especially with the use of natural wood finishes that are often lacking in modern modern designs. says Kanika of interior designer, Kanika Design, who is an interior designer. I often recommend to clients to remodel projects to beautifully complement modern interiors.
5. Use patterns for timeless charm
“Art Deco is a popular style for roaring in your 20s and is one of our favorites,” says Shirin and Academy. “Feminine bold geometric patterns and luxurious materials, we created an attractive and shocking interior. The incredible use of sharp lines and stylized motifs is surrounded by sophisticated furniture.
Modern interior designs allow for the perfect statement for homeowners looking to blend sophisticated, old-fashioned charms by incorporating geometric patterns into hints of metallic accents. ”
6. Save original details if possible
“I’m a hardcore retro enthusiast and completely renovated my kitchen in the 1920s/30s style. Small apartment-sized dishwashers have been added for convenience,” says the author/journalist of Therese Poletti. “All my lighting fixtures are either rewired originals or high quality replicas.”
Something that is common in modern modifications — the coloured wood, common fixtures, and the removal of original details — really covers me up,” continues Therese. You can upgrade your home without removing history. I recently toured the Spanish colonial period in Berkeley. During this colonial period, the vibrant bathrooms and original charm were replaced by barren white and grey interiors. It looked beautiful, but the soul was gone. ”
7. Embracing the Spanish Revival Style in California
“In Malibu, California, the house, built between the 1920s and 1940s, presents classic early California-Spanish designs,” shares Malibu real estate agent Brian Merrick. “These residences feature red tile roofs, plaster walls with white or earth tones, and an attractive interior courtyard. Intricate wood and wrought iron details add character, while the work of arched windows and vibrant tiles on the countertops and floors enhances the timeless charm.
8. Rethinking vintage elements for modern homes
Styldod said: “I love the way the design era of the 1920s and 1940s combined bold artistry with timeless elegance. The geometrical precision of Art Deco, the rich colour palette of the 1930s, and the organic, refined art nouveau of the 1940s continue to inspire modern inspiration. It has a shelves built in to add both of these vintage elements with a touch.
9. Reflect both past and present designs
“The way architectural styles from different eras can complement and enhance each other is really appealing,” says Susan Edwards of Architect Builder Group. “Incorporating elements of the past into modern designs brings a sense of history and character to modern spaces, providing the features and comfort we cherish today.
For example, the 1920s and 1940s offer a unique blend of bold geometry from Art Deco. Or think of the artisan designs that are simple and handmade elements (such as exposed rafters and built-in) can balance the light palette and updated materials to refresh the space and respect the past. This thoughtful mix often creates a timeless look that feels rooted in heritage at present. It’s like a conversation between times and that’s something we love to be involved in. ”
10. Highlight depth and dimension architecture details
“I love architecture and design from the 1920s to the 1940s. I actually live in a house built in 1920, and mentions Libby Rawes, who has a sharp, grey interior.
I’m a huge fan of incorporating architectural details into every design. When I work in an old house, I always preserve that original charm, and I intentionally add characters to my new house to give my space a soul. From walls and stairs to cabinets, these touches help create a sense of the timeless, old world. ”
11. Use bold materials and strong lines
“What stands out in designs from the 1920s and 1940s is the combination of elegance and bold geometry,” recommended Lili Tile designer Valentina Urban. “Even during challenging times like Great Depression, the interior is full of detail, strong lines, and high quality materials, and it’s a style that still resonates today.”
“At Lilitile, we bring this era to the present through our elite collections. The elite collection combines brass and cement for an industrial yet attractive look. It also uses distinctive Art Deco geometry and colours, such as teal, brown and soft brush tones.
12. Play with grid patterns and luxurious finish
Susan Bednar Long of SB Long Interiors said, “When we consider interior design from the 1920s to 1940s, we think of exotic forests, rich fabrics, streamlined silhouettes, metallic accents and, above all, geometric and grid patterns.
In a recent major bathroom, I designed a bronze metal frame glass shower wall with a bold grid pattern and combined with soft blue square tiles of hand glass stacked on the walls and floors. The exterior is elegant yet utilitarian. The theme of this grid continues throughout the apartment with brass framed kitchen cabinets, end-cut oak floors laid in square grids, and rectangular suede wall panels in the main bedroom separated by bronze. These elements are modern, but rooted in the elegance of the times. ”
13. Add personality through furniture and colour
“One of my favorite aspects of furniture and interior design from the 1920s to the 1940s is how colorful and elegant they are,” says Freud’s Kimberly Ke. “Many of today’s popular interior styles lean too strongly towards neutral tones. They see modern farmers. This can lead to houses that are common and lacking in character. In contrast, design styles that flourished in the 1930s are vibrant, like Art Deco or Hollywood Gram. Seafoam, and other fog hues are often displayed in sophisticated geometric or curved forms.”
14. Don’t be afraid to be bold
“I tend to go as bold as space allows, using tones of accessories, wallpaper and art gemstones, with furniture with wide crown molding and curved edges,” says Holly Kalisher of HK Interiors. “My focus is on pieces of structures and powerful designs that serve the space. This era was minimalist at the time, and many elements still function today. For example, Art Deco lighting fixtures are well combined with smart bulbs, and vintage furniture shapes can be refreshed with high gloss or sparkling finishes.”
