How to Design a Japanese Themed room
Asian design is based on principles of serenity and relaxation, and Japanese design in particular is recognizable for its warmth, charm and simplicity. A few basic components can easily transform a room in a Japanese sanctuary without breaking the bank. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Wooden furnishings and accents
- Shoji screens
- Floor mats
- Artwork
- Greenery and other accents
Instructions
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Identify what you enjoy about Japanese design. Whether it's a mass of cherry blossoms, warm wood or clean lines, let it guide your choices for a room. While highly stylized furniture and accessories can be expensive, using one particular element as inspiration can help you pick items of lesser cost but of high impact in a room.
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Keep clutter to a minimum. Japanese design is all about clean lines and simple beauty. Too much clutter in a space can detract from a Japanese room's charm and impact.
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Use a variety of woods. High contrast is another signifier of Japanese room design. White walls blended with bamboo and white shoji screens and dark wooden armoire pieces can add contrast to a room and give it a distinctly Japanese feel.
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Place mats on the floor. Tatami mats are a typical feature in Japanese rooms. While genuine tatami mats made from rice straw can be quite expensive, a sisal or seagrass rug can be a convincing and inexpensive stand-in and provide the warmth and mood of a Japanese room.
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Consider art carefully. Japanese artwork is often simple and streamlined. Similarly, Japanese themed artwork can be created easily from ink and paper. If you are in the market for something more elaborate, search local art dealers or department stores for Japanese-inspired pieces. Also consider using typical Japanese design elements like shoji screens as hanging art pieces.
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Add greenery. Japanese culture is closely intertwined with nature, and nature reflects in Japanese design. Consider adding a plant like bamboo to a room to give it additional color and a burst of life. Bamboo is easy to care for and you can purchase it at most home improvement stores and department stores.
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