decorative art

noun

1

: art that is concerned primarily with the creation of useful items (such as furniture, ceramics, or textiles)

—usually used in plural

2

: objects of decorative art

Examples of decorative art in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In one photograph of a dance floor in full swing, the wallpaper in the background is printed with a leafy, floral pattern by William Morris, the textile artist who sought to elevate the decorative arts in Britain in the late nineteenth century. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025

While Hudson is already known as a destination for antiques and decorative arts, the retail offerings at Pocketbook offer a slightly more contemporary perspective. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025

Meanwhile, the Fabergé Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, has the largest collection of decorative art and jewelry by Carl Fabergé. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025

For visitors eager to live—even briefly—inside the pages of a favorite magazine, central Virginia is autumn's ultimate decorative arts destination. —Kinsey Gidick, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1