How to Design an Asian-Influenced Room
To add a sense of tranquility to a space, consider designing an Asian-influenced room. Create a complete makeover or make simple and inexpensive changes by adding a few elements inspired by decor from the Far East. Minimalistic forms, rich colors and subtle textures contribute to this serene decorating style. These strategies may be applied to living spaces, bedrooms, dining rooms and even bathrooms. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Small fountain with pebbles
- Items with black lacquer finish
- Shoji screen (optional)
- Asian-print fabrics (optional)
- Asian landscapes (optional)
- Eucalyptus branches (optional)
- Bamboo stalks (optional)
Instructions
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Declutter your space. Asian-inspired decor leans toward minimalism, so remove any distracting knickknacks and organize any piles of books and magazines. Aim for serenity and tranquility by removing visual clutter.
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Edit your color palette. Common colors used in Asian-inspired schemes include black, white, red and jade green. You may also choose other colors that are neutral and found in nature, such as beige or gray. Try painting one accent wall Chinese red and leave the other walls white, for example.
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Add a water element. The presence of flowing water and the relaxing sound that it produces is an important element of Asian decor. Select a small fountain with natural pebbles.
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Choose Asian-inspired furniture. Look for pieces that are low and sleek, constructed of materials such as bamboo or dark wood. The black lacquer finish is also common in Asian decor. If you don't want to replace your furniture, try incorporating a decorative shoji screen or adding a lacquered tray.
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Create texture with Asian-inspired fabrics and prints. Find silk throw pillows with flowering branch designs or calligraphy. Consider using grass cloth wallpaper with an Asian-inspired design for one wall in a large space or throughout a smaller space. Hang paintings of Asian landscapes or people in traditional dress.
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Choose a few decorative items to emphasize your Asian theme. You can find many Asian-inspired sculptures, candles and vases but be sure not to go overboard or you will end up with clutter again. Add eucalyptus branches or stalks of bamboo to an elegant vase or a few simple lacquered boxes to help you stay organized.
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Tips & Warnings
While it is simple to aim for a general "Asian theme," you may choose to zero in on a particular culture such as Chinese, Japanese or Korean and research their specific decor styles.
