If you’re seeking a true display of opulence for your home, it’s natural to turn to the exuberant grandeur of Rococo design from the 18th century. This distinct period remains one of the most important in the development of European art, and its ornamental decor continues to grace the homes of the upper echelons of society.

When it comes to decorating your home in this style, however, one must be mindful of the fine line between splendour and vulgarity. Since this style is held in such high esteem, it unfortunately has been prone to misrepresentation; resulting in tacky interiors that even an uncultured eye would recognise as unattractive. If you’re interested in exploring Rococo decor in your home, we have compiled a few tips to help guide you in implementing this rich style.

When it comes to decorating your home in this style, however, one must be mindful of the fine line between splendor and vulgarity. Due to its esteemed reputation, Rococo design has unfortunately been prone to misrepresentation, resulting in tacky interiors that even an untrained eye would recognize as unattractive. If you’re interested in exploring Rococo decor for your home, we have compiled a few tips to help guide you in implementing this rich style.

The fundamentals

One of the key mistakes we see when people attempt this style is simply purchasing ornamentation and furniture in Rococo style and adding it to rooms not fit for purpose. Appropriate flooring and walls are essential for this style.

When considering the flooring, take your mind back to the opulence of 18th-century Europe. A common error is to pair this style with plush carpets. While carpeting can certainly be luxurious, it was not available during this period and therefore looks jarring in rooms that showcase Rococo decor.

Rococo is mostly drawn from French influences, although it carried through most of Europe in the early modern era. Historically, luxury French flooring was parquet wood. This elaborate style of flooring is still dripped in luxury today, with the most fitting for Rococo interiors being the Versailles style. Although the Palace of Versailles is an example of Baroque design, Rococo itself is derived from Baroque – the term Rococo comes from the French word Rocaille and Italian Baroco (from Baroque).

When it comes to the walls, we can then consider the ‘Rocaille’ element of Rococo. First appearing in the Renaissance, the ornamentation and details of Rocaille make up one of the key signifiers of this style. The curved and undulating detailing, with small symbols such as fleur-de-lis, is still common on classic mirror frames or vintage furniture pieces.

Adding Rococo interior design to your home, this can be brought onto the walls and finished with gold paint. Recruit a professional artist for this, as this is an incredibly intricate, detailed and prodigious undertaking and is easy for an untrained hand to get wrong.

Furnishings

Once your room has been sufficiently fitted with Rococo features, you can consider furnishing. Authenticity is key, replicated furniture will not offer the same value and feeling to the interior, and risk looking tacky.

Perfect for those of you that love a haunt around a vintage market or auction house, picking out Rococo pieces takes the eye of someone well-versed in arts and history. Each piece of genuine Rococo furniture will be unique, as there was no mass production then. This is part of what seeps this style in grandeur. Typical elements you can look for are pastel colours, use of gold and white, marquetry and parquetry in wooden pieces and ornately carved elements. Distinctive lack of symmetry also defines Rococo furniture with organic, free-flowing motifs.

If you don’t feel that you have the time, experience or eye for picking out the furniture but want to go ahead with a Rococo interior, you should employ the assistance of a shopper that specializes in vintage and antique pieces. Be sure to get certificates of authenticity to ensure that what you’re purchasing is genuine.

Art

The use of art in Rococo design differs from many other elite interior designs. If you have an art collection, you will want a designated gallery space for this, as Rococo does not support typical picture hanging. Instead, murals are painted on the ceiling – typically in Renaissance style.

You can expect to employ typical religious motifs, such as cherubs, or otherwise portraiture. Sky blue is iconic in murals in these rooms.

Conclusion

Rococo is one of the most challenging styles to incorporate into your home, and it is precisely this exclusivity that makes it so luxurious. If you intend to employ this design in your home, it is essential to consult with interior designers who have successfully implemented it in other homes. This is by no means a DIY-friendly option.

When appropriately executed, Rococo can be one of the most gorgeous and indulgent styles. So, if you plan to implement it — Godspeed! We can’t wait to see the pictures.