Expert insight: Art deco returns ‘after years of restraint and heavy minimalism’

Described as a ‘return to glamour after years of restraint and heavy minimalism’, Neodeco reimagines Art Deco for a new era. Think crisp chevrons, fan arches and geometric silhouettes, all edged in chrome or brass.

Bold, polished and just a touch eccentric, Neodeco marks a decisive shift away from the pared-back interiors of the noughties, toward expressive statement-led spaces with personality.

Shanghai Me London | Image credit: Johnny Stephens Photography

And, with the landing of Pinterest’s 2026 prediction report, consumer search data is proving that this trend is well and truly on the rise. Recent Pinterest search behaviour shows that antique bar cart searches went up 100%; pendant lamp searches up 40%; brass aesthetic search up 35%; and leather banquette searches up 35%; figures which paint a clear, Art Deco-inspired picture of modern interiors.

So, what are the design experts saying?

“Design may be cyclical, but it’s never completely random – it responds to the mood of the moment, and there’s always a deeper cultural shift driving what comes next,” says Michael Jackson, Head of Design at bespoke lighting company, Northern Lights.

“Over the last few years, minimalism gave us the restraint and calm we needed, particularly during a period marked by uncertainty and global instability. Our interiors became sanctuaries – quiet, pared-back and intentionally unobtrusive.

“But, as confidence returns, so does the desire for spaces that feel optimistic, expressive and bold. There’s now a clear appetite for interiors with a heightened presence – and Neodeco answers that mood shift. This trend was never about nostalgia, but more about refinement and drama.

“We’ve seen a 15% increase in Neodeco lighting briefs from interior designers towards the end of 2025, and this is forecast to grow further in 2026, cementing its shift from emerging aesthetic to defining direction.

“This time around, architectural silhouettes, polished metallics and sculptural lighting including statement pendant lights, introduce glamour and drama without the heaviness we’ve seen from Art Deco lighting before. Lighting in particular will become the main focal point, defining the room rather than just lighting it functionally.

“Materials previously used as accents are becoming architectural statements in their own right, and symmetry and repetition are re-emerging in a more disciplined, modern way. Red marble bathrooms and antique bar carts highlight a return to theatricality, and leather banquettes and metallic finishes add tactility and depth to spaces.”

Bespoke lighting by Northern Lights at Shanghai Me London | Image credit: Johnny Stephens

What does this mean for architects and interior designers? 

Neodeco is not a return to excess; it is a return to intention. It distils the spirit of Art Deco into something sharper, lighter and more disciplined — high-shine finishes held in check by clean lines, nostalgia refined through modern craftsmanship, and glamour calibrated with precision rather than indulgence.

For architects and interior designers, this evolution signals a decisive shift:

• Lighting will be considered from the outset, conceived as sculptural centrepieces rather than appended utilities

• Decorative metals will advance from subtle accents to commanding architectural statements

• Geometric repetition and symmetry will reassert themselves as organising principles within contemporary schemes

As the industry moves toward 2026, the message is unmistakable: minimalism no longer holds a monopoly on luxury. A new visual confidence is emerging — one defined by statement lighting, luminous metallics and the disciplined geometry of Art Deco — reshaping the atmosphere of high-end interiors with renewed drama and intent.

Main image & credit: The Municipal Hotel & Spa Liverpool with bespoke lighting from Northern Lights | Gunner Gu