Decoratum

Decoratum is a term used in art theory to denote the intentional inclusion of ornament as a central principle of a work's design, rather than as a secondary add-on. The word derives from Latin decoratum, from decorare "to decorate," and is used to describe works where decoration serves formal, symbolic, or structural functions.

Historically, decoratum has been employed in periods with strong ornamentation, such as Baroque and Rococo, where shapes, motifs, and patterns govern composition. In furniture, architecture, and textiles, decoratum manifests as repeated motifs, proportional balance, and alignment with underlying geometry. Some theorists view decoratum as a disciplined ornament—an integral aspect of the object's meaning—while others critique ornament as potentially superfluous.

In contemporary design, the concept persists in discussions of ornament as a deliberate design choice, especially in movements that revisit craft and surface decoration, or in digital design where procedural ornament or algorithmic patterns produce decorative surfaces that still reinforce structure and usability. The term is sometimes contrasted with decorum or function-first approaches, underscoring debates about the role and value of ornament in art and design.