Decorating with Asian Style

Tired of your boring old bedroom or living room?  Decorating in Asian style can create a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere that's both elegant and functional.  Learn how you can transform a room in your home into an adventure in the Far East.

Trying to figure out how to break out of the decorating doldrums?  Taking your living room or bedroom on an Oriental adventure could be the perfect excursion.  With it's exotic flavor, Asian decor can be a beautiful decorating choice, but requires some restraint.  In truth, its the simplicity of design and uncluttered feel that make the most of Asian design.  With Asian inspired style, less is more.

Color:  For the walls, think beige or tan, inspired by aged bamboo or rice parchment.These neutral tones will create a good base color that can be decorated with bolder Asian color combinations.  Liberal use of black and white in furniture and accents can be desirable.  Green factors heavily into many Asian designs. They can range from the vivid greens of the bamboo jungle to the subtle luxury of a jade sculpture.  Use a health splash of red and gold to transport your guests to the Far East.

Floors: The obvious choice is bamboo floors but despite their beauty are not the cheapest option.    Bamboo-look laminate flooring is less expensive alternative, but any wood flooring is suitable in your new Asian room.  Stone and ceramic tile look great to terra-cotta tile will really make a statement.    It might seem like an oriental rug is a requirement, but avoid the temptation and potential expense.    Instead, seek out a jute rug.The loomed structure and natural fibers are perfectly suited to your Asian themed room.  You should be able to find a 6’ x 9’ rug in the 0 range.  If you're on a budget, find a synthetic or wool blend or a second-hand rug.

If you prefer drapes in the windows, look for silk with a nice sheen and tie them back with gold cord that's tasseled.  To set a mood that's more relaxed, use roll-up bamboo shades.  You can find bamboo blinds that are painted in Asian themes with calligraphy, classical oriental art of Asian symbols.

Lighting: Oriental lanterns come in all shapes, colors and sizes. You'll find one to suit your budget for sure.  these are great.  Candle Lantern style lighting can be combined to good effect as well.  Do your best to avoid modern or period-specific lighting.  A lighted water treatment can really set the mood in a room and makes a great substitute for a lamp.

If you're going to break the budget, this is where you might want to do it.  Traditional lacquered furniture is a mainstay of Asian decor.  Most often found a highly polished black, red gold or white – it’s a centerpiece accent that can bring the Asian influenced theme together.  Consider a small table, trunk, armoire or curio cabinet.  Lacquer furniture is usually quite ornate decorated with scenes of flowers, landscapes and Chinese symbols.  Wicker and Bamboo furniture will be perfectly welcome in your Asian decorated room as well.

Decorations:  This is your opportunity to shine and have some fun.  A Shonji divider can be used to separate the room and create more intimate areas.  A Buddha statue makes a great Asian decor accent or you might consider a statues of Kuan Yin.  For a chance at wealth and good fortune consider a laughing Buddha statue.  Feng Shui princicples are based on promoting positive energy but there ideas are equally suited to good design.

Oriental fans and umbrellas are a great choice for the wall. Silk paintings, Asian themed wall reliefs and lacquired wall art are all exceptional choices.  A Chinese vase or fishbowl on a stand will work well too.  Ginger or tea jars, bonsai trees, bamboo plants, Asian clocks and mirrors are all excellent decorating options.  The only thing standing in the way of your perfect Asian inspired room is lack of imagination.

Have a blast with all the great decorating options, just remember that in the case of Asian-themed decorating it's important not to overdo it.  Keep the room sparse and free of clutter to get the desired effect.  Don't overdo it. Use a few key decorative accessories to project your theme. You can always add more later.

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