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If you are battling with decorating your apartment, you might want to consider a look east to the decorating habits in China, Japan and Korea. Oriental design elements are all about simplicity and minimalism – perfect for when you are faced with white walls, small rooms and not a lot of decorating leeway.
An Oriental rug will not only warm the room, but also give you a base in which to incorporate other small items. Take clues from the colors in the rug to add a few pillows to the couch or candles for your shelf. Alternatively, you can choose a woven mat which is more typically found in Japanese homes. If you don’t need floor covering, pick out some pillows in a bold red, yellow or black Asian design. Red and black lacquer is instantly identifiable as typical Asian styles, but a maximum of two pieces in a room will probably suffice. If your room needs to do double duty, separate part of it with a silk-screened divider. Asian homes are typically small so homeowners are creative at maximizing space. Hanging window sheers instead of heavy curtains will make the room look brighter.
Much of Asian design relies on the outdoors. Natural furniture such as bamboo is popular as well as floral patterns. Greenery is also prized, pick out a few nice houseplants, or choose to freshen your rooms with orchids, lucky bamboo or bonsai plants. Plants also give you the opportunity to get creative with pots. Water is another facet – a tabletop fountain or fish bowl both make unique accessories. In Japanese design, natural colors are preferred, so brown, grey and tan work well if you’d rather go for a neutral palate.
Don’t forget your walls. Find a restful print with flowers, birds and other scenes of nature. Also charming is something printed with lovely Asian calligraphy. If your room is mostly neutral in tone, make a statement by choosing a piece of art in bright red or one that has other bold colors. Gold is typically used as an accent color in many Asian decors. Consider incorporating small bits of the shiny shade into inconspicuous areas like window ties, plant pots or pillow fringe.
Fresh fabrics give old furniture new life and are a great way to experiment with a new design idea. Silk is the most popular fabric in most Asian homes. Find something with a rich pattern to drape over the back of the couch, the end of the bed or over a table that has seen better days. In keeping with the overall minimalist look, keep your knick-knacks to a minimum; choosing a few prized pieces to display. A few choice pieces of porcelain, especially in the typical blue and white Chinese pattern, will be both restful and introduce a different texture and material to the room.
As with any design style, it’s best to incorporate small elements of it throughout your apartment, rather than going for overload which can look forced. Asian design is meant to convey a sense of well-being and balance – the perfect atmosphere for any home.
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