The Simplicity of Asian Style Decorating

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By MisCook

One of the most popular styles decorators adopt when attempting to create a peaceful and simplistic interior is the Asian style of decorating. This style is an outward representation of wanting a simple lifestyle, and is known for its elegant furnishing, decor and art. They are designed to bring feelings of peace, balance and serenity into the space, with quality and craftsmanship the focal point of everything within its uncluttered lines.

One of the most dramatic takes on Asian style decorating is the use of color. Colors have individual meanings and philosophies in Asian cultures and depending on the culture you want to emulate, becoming well versed in the lore behind color is a good place to start. For Chinese influenced decor, the key color is predominantly red. Red embodies luck and life, represented by the passion and respect the culture holds for families and family life. Throughout the flow of a Chinese inspired decor, red dominates all.

For a Japanese inspired decor in a space, the colors will reflect more of nature in its choices, such as brown, grey and tan. Other colors are brought to the forefront in this style, added as artistic renderings upon the room’s canvas of neutral tones. Black, gold, red, and green are popular choices for spicing up the neutral backgrounds. 

Natural wood dominates the Asian style of decorating: polished to an almost mirror-like shine, natural woods like teak, cherry, and bamboo are predominant. Lamps are decorated with luminous shades of stretched paper and bamboo, and you will often find statuary and other decorations incorporating rocks, water and plants. Bamboo rugs of various sizes are incorporated throughout, and you will often find windows decorated only with cuttings of bamboo shoots or the beautiful miniature bonsai tree.

In both China and Japan, space is usually minimal at best. To reflect this, many of the furniture pieces you will find within an Asian style home are multifunctional. Futons that provide seating double as sleeping spaces. Ornately carved wooden trunks with hand carved drawers do double duty as both storage spaces and tables. Screens are used to hide unattractive corners as well as window cover or room divider.

Oriental rugsfeature prominently in Asian decor, and are often the focal piece of an entire room. Choices range from simple square rugs made in the tatami style for Japanese decor to beautiful wool rugs done in simple Chinese floral patterns. Very often, furniture is chosen for a room setting based upon the patterns found in the area rugs. Every piece in the room is picked because it reflects some part of the pattern found within the rug.

The finishing touch for most areas influenced by Asian design is usually something that incorporates water. Water is life and should be allowed to flow through the home. Fish tanks both, large and small, as well as small sized fountains can be found placed strategically to let the chi flow through. Open, airy and uncluttered leads to eternal happiness in Asian style.

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