The Decades Old Art Movement That's Making Its Way Into Home Decor

If you've noticed an uptick in fantastical, sometimes outlandish interior designs, you're not alone. Modern takes on surrealism have become more common in home design, often using out-of-this-world illusions and playful juxtapositions. As more of us aim to create totally unique, non-cookie cutter homes, surrealism is a design aesthetic we'd love to see dominate. To understand modern surrealism and its history, as well as why it's become popular again, we spoke with design historian Sarah Bilotta in an exclusive interview for House Digest. Bilotta says that she predicts modern surrealist decor will be popular in 2025, explaining, "Surrealism has remained consistently popular over the last 100 years, and along with the growing trend for bright, unexpected postmodern accents, the popularity of ironic surrealist decor promises to grow." 

To understand modern takes on surrealism, it's key to understand the origins of the art and design movement. According to Bilotta, surrealism at its core "sought to dismantle all the traditional motifs and themes of mainstream art." Perhaps the most famous figure from the surrealism movement is Salvador Dali, who in addition to painting famous works such as The Persistence of Memory (the one with all the melting clocks), designed furniture and home decor as well. "Some of his most famous furnishings are a lips-shaped sofa and a lamp in the form of a tower of champagne glasses, both designed in collaboration with British arts patron Edward James," says Bilotta. These quirky, ironic takes on traditional furniture and decor accents allowed surrealism to jump off the canvas and into the home, which is what we are seeing with modern takes on the style. 

With the concept of surrealism better understood, you should have a better idea of what modern surrealism is, but it can still be difficult to pin down what it looks like. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Sarah Bilotta explains, "Modern surrealism takes much of the whimsy and weirdness of the original surrealists, like Dali, and incorporates it into niche, ironic touches throughout the home — like a flower-shaped flower vase or a mirror that looks right back at you, taking the form of an eye," adding, "Ironic, unexpected, and witty are all good words to describe modern surrealist interior decor." You might see elements of the trending TikTok dopamine decor, maximalism, and postmodernism in surrealist interior design. 

If you want to indulge in surrealism in your home, you don't need to go all out and glue your furniture to the ceiling. Bilotta advises, "Today most design-lovers are more interested in integrating subtle, cheeky nods to surrealism into their homes rather than embedding it into every aspect of their decor." Bilotta's tips include hiding a secret motif into your wallpaper or carpet design such as a blue and white toile made up of curled up cats or painting your ceiling with warm honeyed hues of a sunset. Even though surrealism is rooted in a famous art movement, you don't need to be an expert on the subject to incorporate surrealist art into your home, because as Bilotta puts it, "Surrealism is playful, not literal, and it gives you the freedom to channel your sense of whimsy in your design." 

If you're obsessed with the original surrealists and their designs, such as Dali's sofa lips or Pedro Friedeberg's hand chair, it is possible to buy reproductions, Sarah Bilotta explains in an exclusive conversation with House Digest. For instance, Studio 65 makes a modern version of Salvador Dali's lips sofa called the Bocca, available from the MoMA design store. This is quite the statement piece for any home, though, and most of us probably don't have the money or space for a novelty sofa. Bilotta assures us that's perfectly fine, saying "Smaller touches, however, are a safer option for most homeowners not willing to commit to surrealizing their entire house." 

Instead, keep an eye out for objects that make you laugh, and seem witty and ironic. Bilotta offered us some of her favorites, saying, "I love the flower-shaped ceramic flower vase made by Abigails which can be purchased through Wayfair. I am also a big fan of the gigantic wine cork footstool that went viral when it was sold by Home Goods stores earlier this year." Despite being relatively affordable and from mainstream home decor companies, "These objects are quirky and unexpected, echoing the off-piste trajectory that the original surrealists aimed for," says Bilotta. So don't worry about owning an original Dali if you want to play with modern surrealism in your home.