The term Art Deco originated as a result of the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratif et Industriels Modernes that took place in Paris France in 1925. It was at this expostion that the furniture and various art pieces of many prominent designers - including Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, Süe et Mare, and Edgar Brandt - were featured. This furniture and art are what came to define what is now referred to as "French Art Deco".

French Art Deco furnishings tend to have elegant lines while maintaining clean shapes. Furniture is characterized by its simple and practical form. Decorative touches such as marquetry, cut and carved bas-reliefs, and contrasting parquety are commonly used while scrolled protusions and ornate moldings that serve little purpose are absent in art deco design considerations. This absence allows for curves of elegance, streamlined geometric shapes, and sleek lines that many people appreciate about French art deco furniture.

Various artistic disciplines including Japanese lacquer work, contemporary abstract paintings & sculptures, and the art of various African tribes are visible in many French Art Deco objects. Decoration of French Art Deco objects is quite often exotic and glittery while being quite abstract and stylized. It is not uncommon to have stylized flowers and foilage used as exotic and intricate patterns in French Art Deco objects of art.

As various materials became more readily available to designers the construction of both objects of art and furniture included a plethora of both man-made and natural materials, particularly that of chrome and sculptured wrought iron. Dramatic clean lines became possible with the use of tubular chrome due to the metal's physical characterisics.

An interesting aspect of French Art Deco is that it was one of the first art disciplines where designers were able to emphasize their distinct individuality by developing a unique flavor and style of their own. Many art historians recognize French Art Deco as being responsible for the very beginning of modern design.