How to Make a Room Look Oriental

In recent years, Asian decorating styles have gained in popularity. Using the elements of Oriental decor in a room can help it to seem more tranquil and centered. An Oriental room blends simplicity with elegance without sacrificing comfort. Also, Asian decor mixes very well with western decor. Different Asian styles of decorating, such as Chinese and Japanese, can also be used together. You can use these styles to create either a traditional or a contemporary room design that helps to promote peace and serenity in your home.

Instructions

1. Reduce the clutter. Oriental decorative styles are typically very minimalist. To start making your room look more Asian, pull out everything you don't need and never use. Decide which items you really want to keep, and sell the rest or give away to charity.

2. Eliminate unnecessary furniture. Consider replacing your western furniture with traditional Chinese or Japanese furniture. Try replacing chairs with cushions on the floor. If the room is a bedroom, think of replacing the bed with a futon.

3. Use color. If you'd like to decorate in a Chinese style, select red as your primary color. If you prefer a Japanese style home decor, select neutral tones such as tan, brown and grey.

4. Bring nature into your space. Decorate your Oriental room with live bamboo and bonsai plants. Use natural stones as decorations on tables, desks, dressers and counters.

5. Dress up your floors in Asian style. Consider adding a woolen Chinese rug with a floral design to your room's decor. Or if you want something Japanese, put down tatami mats. To create a strong sense of Oriental style in the room, replace wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood or natural stone flooring.

6. Add Asian accessories. Hang bamboo screens over the windows. Add a paper shoji screen to fill an empty corner in the room or replace a door or wall with a sliding paper fusama door. Add a single vase or ceramic fishbowl decorated in traditional Chinese designs such as dragons, koi fish and cranes. To create a Japanese atmosphere, get a vase with a blue and white design.

7. Add Oriental lighting. Look for lanterns made from rice paper or lamps made from natural wood or stone. Also think of putting paper lampshades on your lamps. Ensure that your window treatments bring in as much natural light as possible.

8. Add some Asian art to your room. Consider putting an Asian landscape mural of a natural setting on a door or wall. Put a few original Oriental prints or silk hangings up on the walls. Look for traditional Asian art that contains designs such as bamboo, cherry blossoms and calligraphy.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care not to overdo any one element of Oriental decor in your room design. Make sure that everything in the room blends together harmoniously.

Resources

• Oriental furniture and decor