The Timeless Comeback of Art Deco Furniture in India

From the pastel seafront buildings of Bombay to luxurious furniture pieces making a comeback in modern homes, Art Deco remains one of the most recognizable and enduring design movements of the last century. With its clean lines, glamorous finishes, and geometric elegance, Art Deco furniture is experiencing a quiet revival—and at KhojCrafts, we find ourselves drawn to its sculptural beauty and cultural significance.

This blog explores the history of Art Deco in India, its distinctive design vocabulary—including the iconic “waterfall” or “drop” design—and how it is being reimagined for contemporary interiors.

What is Art Deco?

Art Deco emerged in France in the 1920s, born out of a desire to move past the ornamental excesses of Art Nouveau and embrace a sleek, modern aesthetic. It soon spread across Europe, America, and parts of Asia, influencing architecture, furniture, fashion, and even transportation.

Art Deco furniture is defined by:

• Geometric and symmetrical shapes

• Rich materials like lacquered wood, chrome, brass, and glass

• Streamlined forms and curved fronts

• Ornamental details inspired by sunbursts, zigzags, fans, and stepped or waterfall silhouettes

• A palette of jewel tones, deep woods, and metallic finishes

Among these, the “waterfall” or “drop” design became a defining signature—where the edge of a piece, like a dresser or cabinet, curves over the top and down the front like flowing water. This soft, rounded edge offered a contrast to the otherwise rigid geometry of Deco, giving it a sensual, fluid quality.

Art Deco in India: A Bombay Legacy

The Deco Boom

In Bombay (now Mumbai), Art Deco found an enthusiastic welcome during the 1930s and ’40s. As one of the most globalized cities of the British Empire, Bombay was ready to adopt the modernist glamour of the West. Architects, artisans, and the city’s wealthy elite embraced the Deco style with open arms.

Cinemas, apartment buildings, offices, and sea-facing promenades adopted the new visual language—streamlined facades, curved balconies, glass block windows, and speedlines. The Oval Maidan area today boasts one of the largest surviving collections of Art Deco architecture in the world, second only to Miami.

Indo-Deco: Local Meets Global

While the architecture leaned heavily on international motifs, furniture design in India evolved its own Deco idiom, often called Indo-Deco. Local craftsmen adapted global trends using indigenous materials and motifs:

• Teak, rosewood, and cane replaced imported veneers

• Carvings featured a mix of geometric patterns and Indian iconography

• Craftsmanship remained highly detailed and bespoke

Homes of the wealthy were furnished with elegant Deco pieces—sideboards with waterfall edges, nesting tables with inlaid patterns, and upholstered chairs with scalloped backs. These weren’t mass-produced imports; they were designed and crafted in Indian workshops with a modern yet rooted sensibility.

The Decline: Simplicity Over Glamour

By the late 1950s, Art Deco began to lose its hold. The emergence of International Style modernism—with its clean minimalism and strict functionality—ushered in a new age. India, stepping into its post-independence identity, turned toward simpler, more affordable design that aligned with its socialist ethos.

Deco furniture, considered extravagant or old-fashioned, fell out of favor. Over the decades, many such pieces were discarded, repurposed, or forgotten in old homes. But like many timeless forms, Art Deco never really disappeared—it simply waited for a comeback.

Why Art Deco Is Making a Comeback

In the last few years, there has been a surge in interest around vintage and period styles, with Art Deco taking center stage. Here’s why the Deco revival feels so relevant today:

1. Design Nostalgia

There’s a growing appetite for nostalgia in interiors—spaces that feel storied, personal, and layered. Art Deco furniture, with its glamorous aura and vintage detailing, offers an easy bridge between past and present.

2. Craftsmanship Over Mass Production

In contrast to flat-pack furniture, Art Deco pieces were—and still are—crafted with intent and care. From precision joinery to rich veneers and brass inlays, Deco celebrates craftsmanship—something buyers increasingly value today.

At KhojCrafts, our commitment to reworking old materials and honoring traditional craftsmanship makes this revival deeply aligned with our ethos.

3. Sustainable Restoration

Reviving Art Deco furniture is not just about aesthetics—it’s about preserving design history while promoting sustainability. By restoring, reusing, and reinterpreting old Deco pieces, we reduce waste and keep heritage alive.

We often source and reinterpret vintage teak or rosewood panels, giving them new life as consoles, mirrors, or statement tables.

4. The Waterfall Appeal

The waterfall design—that distinctive curved-over edge—is seeing a particular resurgence in contemporary homes. It softens the visual bulk of wood furniture, adds a touch of movement and elegance, and works well across styles—from maximalist to minimalist.

KhojCrafts and the Deco Conversation

At KhojCrafts, we see Art Deco not as a style to replicate, but a spirit to revive. Our passion lies in discovering old elements—door panels, carved columns, ornamental frames—and reworking them into sculptural furniture pieces that tell stories.

Explore the Art Deco Style Elements on our site - www.khojcrafts.com