Many people are looking to simplify their lives and one way to do this is to simplify their surroundings.

For centuries, Asian cultures have lived their lives surrounded by simple, yet elegant furnishings, furniture, and art.

Asian interiors are designed to bring peace, balance, and serenity to the space, which is kept simple and uncluttered. The quality and craftsmanship is exquisite. The style is merging with western style to create a unique Asian-influenced decor.

Read on for more ways to incorporate the elements of Asian style decorating into your home.

Use Dramatic Color
One of the most dramatic characteristics of Asian decor is the use of color. For Chinese interiors, bold red is a dominant color as it represents good luck. Furniture is typically shiny black lacquered wood. For Japanese style decor, natural tones of brown, grey, and tan are popular. Accents in most Asian decors include gold, either as trim or wall color.

Texture
When you think of Asian decor, you envision natural wood highly polished to a mirrored shine. Japanese decors use lots of luminous paper surfaces and natural rocks. Bamboo, a large grass, is used for furniture, picture frames, window shades, and containers.

Nature’s Green
Natural plants and cuttings provide texture and artistic expression in Asian interiors. Bamboo plants in both small and large pots are adorned with red and gold tassels. They are found in Chinese style homes. Meticulously manicured bonsai plants are found in Japanese style homes.

Multi-Purpose Furniture
With space at a minimum in many Asian interiors, furniture that serves multiple purposes are prominent. A futon provides seating and sleeping in one piece of furniture. A wooden trunk with many drawers provides out-of-sight storage and serves as a table top.

Oriental Rugs
Floor covering is the foundation for Asian interiors, whether it’s a tatami mat in a Japanese room or a beautiful floral wool rug in a Chinese interior. Furniture and fabric colors enhance and draw out the colors in the flooring.

Windows
Window treatments serve to bring balance into an Asian style room. Generally, if the decorative elements (furniture, rugs, wall treatments) are elaborate, the window treatments should be simple. However, if the color palate is neutral, you might add colorful or patterned window treatments. General, Japanese window treatments use simple woven curtains or bamboo or wood blinds. You might see more elaborate and ornate window treatments with tassels and texture in a Chinese decor.

Screens
With space in Asian interiors at a minimum, floor screens are a major element of the decor. A Shoji screen can provide a window cover, serve as a room divider, or hide an unattractive corner.

Water
Nature provides an important influence in Asian interiors and the delicate sound of falling water and the peaceful look of standing water with fish are prominent in Asian interiors.

Resist the temptation to combine too many pieces or elements of Asian decor into one room. Simplicity and serenity are key and essential to a truly authentic Asian style room.

（source: http://interiordec.about.com/od/asiandecor/a/Asianstyle.htm）

About Interact China

“A Social Enterprise in E-commerce Promoting Oriental Aesthetic Worldwide”

Aileen & Norman co-founded Interact China in 2004 with specialization in fine Oriental Aesthetic products handmade by ethnic minorities & Han Chinese. Having direct partnerships with artisans, designers, craft masters and tailors, along with 10 years solid experience in e-commerce via InteractChina.com, we position well to bridge talented artisans in the East with the rest of the world, and bring you direct finely selected products that are of good quality and aesthetic taste.

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