Designing The Oriental-themed Home

One of the hardest themes to get into your home is that of the Oriental style. It's a very easy theme, but most people will put in too many items to the room, and it will always appear crowded. But with some planning ahead of time you can get a fantastic Oriental look to any room in your home.

The most traditional colors that people think of when they think of the Oriental look are black and white. But you can also bring in colors like greens, and dark reds. When you go to pick a color for your walls you should try and stick with a simple color, and one that will help you feel relaxed when you look at it.

The furniture you use can either be rattan, which is the more traditional look, or if you want more modern Oriental go with leather. The designs of the furniture should be very simple and straight. Since your walls are to be kept simple, you should add in colors with throw pillows. Use colors that will brighten up the room like gold, turquoise, or a red.

An Oriental rug is almost a must in the Oriental look. Though you can also get a nice Persian rug, these can be found as less expensive reproductions too to keep the cost down. Pick up a rug that goes with the colors you have picked for your room.

With accessories you will be able to find so many, this is where you will run into a possible problem. Don't get too many things and crowd them into the room. Get a few simple things that you love, like Chinese calligraphy photos or nice figurines that are Oriental.

Use a couple of big pieces like an animal carving or a vintage carved trunk as a central accessory piece for the room. Flea markets are usually the best places for these because they're hard-to-find items, and because they tend to look better if they appear aged and distressed. Reliefs and prints will also help in creating a more authentic Oriental feel. Just remember to keep from decorating the space too much; there's a very fine line between tastefully decorated and overly cluttered.

The Oriental look is one that is all about simplicity. This type of look can easily be done, but can also be crowded by buying too many decorating items. So don't add too much at a time, but add a bit and step back and look to see what the room looks like. Don't overdo the look, and you will have a fantastic Oriental theme.