How to Renovate an Art Deco Home in New Zealand: A Guide for Homeowners
- TopBuilders
- May 8
- 3 min read
Art Deco homes have a distinct charm that sets them apart from other period houses in New Zealand. Built mostly during the 1930s and 1940s, these homes reflect a bold and stylish era, with their geometric details, curved corners, and streamlined facades. You’ll find them in cities like Napier, Auckland, and Wellington, often standing out with their smooth stucco exteriors and decorative features.
If you're thinking about how to renovate an Art Deco Home in New Zealand, here’s what you should know.
What defines an Art Deco home?
Art Deco homes in New Zealand are known for their flat or parapet roofs, rounded corners, and symmetrical frontages. The walls are often smooth stucco, sometimes painted in soft pastels or whites to highlight clean lines and form. Geometric and stylised detailing is a defining feature, seen in everything from door frames to light fittings. Inside, you’ll often find formal lounges with built-in cabinetry, original fireplaces, and deco-style tiling in bathrooms and kitchens. These homes can be made from concrete or brick, though some were timber-framed with stucco cladding.
The layout is usually compartmentalised, with rooms designed for distinct purposes. Kitchens are compact, with some still featuring original cabinetry or tiled benchtops. Bathrooms tend to be small but full of character, sometimes retaining original fittings and tiles.
How to renovate an Art Deco house without losing character
Renovating an Art Deco home requires a light touch. These houses carry strong architectural details that are worth preserving. Start with the kitchen and bathroom, as these are usually the most dated. While the spaces might be small, clever design can make them functional without removing their charm. Curved cabinetry, tiled splashbacks with geometric patterns, and rounded edges help keep the Deco feel intact while bringing in modern conveniences.
It’s important to match the right materials when making updates. Replacing old stucco or curved cornices with modern versions that lack the same texture or shape can weaken the overall aesthetic. In some cases, restoring original hardwood floors or deco tiling adds more value than replacing them.
At the same time, be prepared for challenges. These homes can be tricky to reconfigure, especially when working with concrete or brick walls. You might also find that updating wiring and plumbing means cutting into solid walls, which needs careful planning to avoid damaging key features.
Are Art Deco homes well insulated?
Insulation was not a priority when these homes were built. Solid masonry construction can retain some warmth, but many Art Deco houses feel cold in winter and struggle with ventilation. The smooth stucco exteriors, while visually striking, can also trap moisture if not well maintained. It’s worth checking the condition of the plaster and keeping an eye out for cracks or signs of damp. Retrofitting insulation in walls or under floors is usually possible, though it can be invasive.
Double glazing, good heating, and discreet insulation upgrades can dramatically improve comfort without altering the look of the home. Be mindful of any heritage rules that apply, especially for facades.
Can you add on to an Art Deco house?
It’s possible to add to an Art Deco home, but it takes careful design to make it feel like a natural extension. Matching the clean lines, flat roof profiles, and geometric elements can be costly, and using the wrong materials or proportions can make the new part feel disconnected. Some homeowners choose to create a contrast by adding a clearly modern extension that still respects the form and layout of the original house. Others prefer to hide the addition at the rear, keeping the street-facing charm intact.
Any extension should aim to improve functionality while preserving the defining features of the home. Open-plan living can be hard to achieve without removing significant parts of the structure, so many renovations focus on improving flow between existing rooms and extending outwards for extra space.
If you're thinking about renovating your Art Deco Home in New Zealand
Art Deco homes in New Zealand are a unique piece of our architectural history. With their bold design and solid build, they offer plenty of appeal for homeowners who value style and substance. Renovating these homes isn’t always straightforward, but with thoughtful choices and the right materials, it’s possible to modernise without losing what makes them special. If you're planning a renovation, focus on enhancing comfort and functionality while keeping the Deco details that give the home its distinctive character. Update kitchen and bathroom with modern amenities while preserving Deco motifs like curved corners and patterned tiles.
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