Style Nouveau: How to Spot Art Nouveau in Buildings and Design

Style Nouveau—better known as Art Nouveau—wanted to make everyday things beautiful. It popped up around 1890–1910 and shows up in buildings, lamps, posters, and furniture. If you pay attention, it’s easy to spot and fun to collect ideas from.

Key features that give it away

Look for flowing, curving lines that mimic plants and vines. Ironwork that looks like tangled stems, windows with organic shapes, and tiles or mosaics with floral patterns are common. Colors are often soft but rich—think green, gold, deep blue—and surfaces can be glossy or textured. Designers tried to join art and function, so doors, stair railings, and even light fixtures often match the same style.

Familiar examples help. In Brussels, Victor Horta’s houses use whiplash curves and iron railings. In Paris, Hector Guimard’s subway entrances are instantly recognisable. Barcelona’s take, led by Antoni Gaudí, pushes the look toward fantasy with broken tile mosaics and wavy facades. Prague, Riga, and parts of Vienna also have great Art Nouveau streets to explore.

Where to go and what to look for

If you want to see the style in real life, pick a city and focus on neighborhoods built around 1900. Walk slowly and look at doorways, balconies, shop signs, and tram stops—those small details often show the best examples. Museums and guided walking tours point out interiors like staircases and halls where the style shines.

When reading about a building, scan for words like "curved ironwork," "stained glass," "decorative tiles," and "integrated design." Those phrases usually mean the designer treated the whole building as one artwork instead of assembling random parts.

Want the look at home? Start small: add a stained-glass panel or a lamp with organic lines. Choose wallpapers or textiles with botanical patterns, swap straight metal handles for curved brass ones, or pick a mirror with a flowing frame. You don’t need to redo a room—mix one or two pieces with modern items to keep things fresh.

Care and restoration matter. Old materials like leaded glass and carved wood need gentle work. If you’re tackling a real restoration, photograph details, work with a conservator, and match original materials where possible.

Style Nouveau still feels modern because it focuses on craft and detail. It teaches a simple idea: beauty belongs in daily life, not just museums. Spot it on the street, borrow a piece for your home, and you’ll see why this short-lived movement still turns heads today.