Tired of your drab living room or bedroom?  Taking your living room or bedroom on an Oriental adventure could be the perfect excursion.  Asian inspired decor can be a simple but elegant look that's easy to achieve provided you control your impulse to over-decorate.  When it comes to the perfect Asian influenced decor, simplicity is critical.  When it comes to Asian design, 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.  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.  Bamboo-look laminate flooring is less expensive alternative, but any wood flooring is suitable in your new Asian room.  Ceramic or stone tile work very well in an Asian themed room, and terra-cotta tile is a natural fit.  Avoid the temptation to use an oriental rug unless you feel strongly that it works. You'll save a few bucks.  Instead, seek out a jute rug.The natural fiber and neutral tones make this a well-suited rug choice that supports the Asian design.It shouldn't be hard to find a rug that's 6' x 9' for around $200.  For the budget conscious, seek out a wool blend or synthetic version.

If you prefer drapes in the windows, look for silk with a nice sheen and tie them back with gold cord that's tasseled.   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:   Japanese Lanterns come in dozens of shapes and sizes to suit any taste or budget.   these are great.  The use of candles or faux candles can complement the room as well.  Try not to use lighting that's contemporary or associated with a specific era.  Water plays an important role in Asian culture, so a lighted water treatment or fountain might make a good substitute for a lamp.

If you're going to break the budget, this is where you might want to do it.  Lacquered furniture is frequently seen in Asian homes.  Often finished in a polished black tone, it can make a grand statement sure to please the eye.  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 décor.

Decorations: This is an opportunity to exercise your inner designer and have a blast.  A Shonji divider can be used to separate the room and create more intimate areas. Buddha decor can be a fun, funky option.  Considering displaying a few Buddha figurines in various poses. 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.  It's worth doing some research on Feng Shui to get a feel for how this decorating philosophy can be leveraged.

Oriental fans and umbrellas are a great choice for the wall. Silk paintings, Asian themed wall reliefs and lacquired wall art are all exceptional 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 only thing standing in the way of your perfect Asian inspired room is lack of imagination.

Have a blast with all the great decorating options, just remember that in the case of Asian-themed decorating it's important not to overdo it.  A cluttered room won't give you the desired effect.  Don't overdo it. Use a few key decorative accessories to project your theme. You can always add more later.


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