What are the three types of Art Deco?

The three commonly cited types of Art Deco are Zigzag Moderne, Streamline Moderne, and Classical Moderne. Zigzag Moderne is the classic 1920s style most people picture, defined by vertical emphasis, stepped skyscraper profiles, sunbursts, chevrons, and rich ornament. Streamline Moderne arrived in the 1930s and softened that angular drama into horizontal lines, rounded corners, smooth curves, and a fast, aerodynamic feel borrowed from ships, trains, and cars. Classical Moderne, sometimes called Depression or PWA Moderne, stripped the ornament back further into symmetrical, restrained, almost civic forms, and shows up in many 1930s public buildings. The categories come from architecture, but they map cleanly onto furniture: a fluted, stepped cabinet is Zigzag, a curved bullnose dresser is Streamline. Knowing which branch you are drawn to tells you whether your Deco should feel faceted and ceremonial or smooth and relaxed.

AURA carries both temperaments. Browse art deco pieces and you will find the faceted, ceremonial silhouettes of early Deco alongside the smoother Streamline curves, so you can lean whichever way your room wants.