The Asian Inspired Room

Wondering how you can improve the look of your home with something exotic and unique? 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.The neutrality of the beige tone sets the stage for an exploration of some Asian inspired colors at the bolder end of the color spectrum. Monochromatic colors can work well in Asian decor. Mix in some green that conjures up visions of a dense bamboo jungle for a bold, expressive look or a jade sculpture to create more muted, tranquil space. Don't be afraid to add some bold strokes of gold and red to really bring out the Oriental flavor.

Floors: Bamboo flooring is an obvious, but sometimes expensive flooring solution to create that Asian inspired feel in a room. A less expensive alternative is laminate flooring. However, any wood or laminate flooring will do just fine. 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. Optionally, consider a natural fiber rug like a jute rug.The natural fiber and neutral tones make this a well-suited rug choice that supports the Asian design. You should be able to find a 6' x 9' rug in the 0 range. If you're on a budget, consider a wool blend or synthetic version.

Silk drapes in dramatic colors can be the perfect look for window treatments. Consider using gold cord and tassels to pull them back and take advantage of the ambient light. Roll-up bamboo shades are a great selection when you're looking to create a more casual mood. Plain blinds are fine, but you can also find bamboo blinds painted with oriental calligraphy or other Asian symbols and scenes if you want a bolder look.

Lighting: Chinese lanterns can be found in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes not to mention budget. These are perfect. Consider using candles to set the perfect mood. Try not to use lighting that's contemporary or associated with a specific era. 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. These pieces are usually hand painted with unique designs, florals and landscapes or with scenes of every day Chinese life. Bamboo furniture and wicker are also excellent choices for Asian inspired decor.

Decorations: This is your opportunity to shine and have some fun. For function, consider a Shonji room divider available in hundreds of looks and colors. A Buddha statue or Kuan Yin sculpture make great Asian decor accents. For a chance at wealth and good fortune consider a laughing Buddha statue. It's worth doing some research on Feng Shui to get a feel for how this decorating philosophy can be leveraged.

Jade carvings, Oriental wall fans, silk paintings, Asian wall reliefs or lacquered wall art are perfect Asian decorating choices. Porcelain vases or fishbowls make a great Asian decor accents as well. 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 fun with the decorating possibilities, just keep in mind that to get an authentic Asian feel you need to exercise some restraint. A cluttered room won't give you the desired effect. Focus on a few specific areas and let those radiate your theme.