Take Your Home on an Adventure to the Far East

Looking for a way to dress up a drab room in your home? Why not take it on an exotic adventure to the Far East? Asian inspired decor can be a simple but elegant look that's easy to achieve provided you control your impulse to over-decorate. In fact, when planning out your Asian decorating adventure, simplicity is the key to success. With Asian inspired style, less is more.Color: For the walls, think beige or tan, inspired by aged bamboo or rice parchment. This will create a nice base color for the room that can be accented with some bolder, Asian inspired colors.



Blacks and whites are well-suited to 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. A touch of bold red, Bamboo Shades Products,  and some gold also conjure up images of the Orient.Floors: Bamboo flooring is an obvious, but sometimes expensive flooring solution to create that Asian inspired feel in a room. Bamboo-look laminate flooring is less expensive alternative, but any wood flooring is suitable in your new Asian room.



Terracotta tiling is another great option, but light stone and ceramic tile look great too.It might seem like an oriental rug is a requirement, but avoid the temptation and potential expense. Instead, seek out a jute rug. This loomed, natural fiber alternative offers a simple solution that supports your design theme well. You should be able to find a 6' x 9' rug in the $200 range. For the budget conscious, seek out a wool blend or synthetic version.Windows: Embrace the ambient light in the room and use light silk drapes tied back with gold cord with tassels.



For a more casual vibe, consider roll-up bamboo shades. 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: Japanese Lanterns come in dozens of shapes and sizes to suit any taste or budget. These are perfect. Candle Lantern style lighting can be combined to good effect as well. Avoid obviously contemporary or modern lamps and lighting. Water plays an important role in Asian culture, so a lighted water treatment or fountain might make a good substitute for a lamp.



Furniture: This is an area where you may want to splurge. Traditional lacquered furniture is a mainstay or 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. Wicker and Bamboo furniture will be perfectly welcome in your Asian decorated room as well.



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 makes a great Asian decor accent or you might consider a statue of Kuan Yin. A laughing Buddha statue is believed to improve one's chances of prosperity, but at the very least can add a bit of whimsy to a room.You may want to do a little research on Feng Shui as its theories will surely give you inspiration and instill your decorating ideas with meaning.



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. Bonsai trees, Asian plants, tea jars, Asian clocks and mirrors work great too. The possibilities are as limitless as the 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.






Rob Mabry is a former military journalist living in San Antonio. He writes about travel, technology, ancient cultures and interior design. If you're looking for a Big Buddha Statue or unique Kuan Yin statue to help you decorate your Asian-themed room? Take a look at the gorgeous selection of Asian decorating accessories at Big Buddha Statue.