Decorating Tips: Adding Asian Design Elements to Your Home

Asian décor is all the rage these days, for good reason; intricate designs, bright colors, and an exotic touch are all hallmarks of Asian décor.

Would you like to add a touch of Asian décor to your home but don't know how? Consider the following possibilities:

Asian Decor Element #1: Lighting

One of the most popular lighting options for Asian inspired décor are rice-paper lamps with low wattage bulbs. These lamps do not put out a lot of light, but add a warm, soft glow to any room. Hanging lanterns, and lamps made with oriental paper umbrellas are also popular choices.

Asian Decor Element #2: Nature

Touches of nature are an important part of any Asian décor. The three most common natural elements used in Asian décor are water, stones, and plants.

The next three points will look at how to use each of these three elements of nature to add a touch of Asian design elements to your home.

Asian Decor Element #3: Water

Water is one of the most popular aspects of Asian décor for good reason. Water fountains add an air of serenity to any room. You may be able to find a water fountain that looks like a Chinese pagoda or has some other Asian design. If possible, see if you can see (and hear) the water fountain in action before purchasing it. Enjoying the visual beauty of a fountain is only one part of this important aspect of Asian inspired décor; the water should flow over the fountain in such a way that it makes a nice, rhythmic, relaxing sound as well as looking beautiful.

Asian Decor Element #4: Plants

Two popular choices for plants to add Asian elements to your décor are bamboo and bonsai. Bamboo plants can be picked up even at most grocery stores at a reasonable price. The bamboo shoots are placed in clear glass vases that are filled with water and small smooth stones or glass beads. Bamboo plants require minimal care, but you will need to replace the water about once a week and occasionally add a mild plant food solution to the water such as African Violet fertilizer.

Bonsai trees are also a popular choice, but they require a great deal of skill and care. If you have a green thumb and enjoy working with plants, bonsai trees may be a good option for you, but if you want plants to be a part of your Asian inspired décor but don't want to spend a lot of time caring for the plants, bamboo plants are your best option.

Asian Decor Element #5: Stones

Smooth stones are an excellent and inexpensive way to add a bit of Asian inspired décor to your home. Here are some possibilities. Take a clear, glass vase, and fill it will smooth stones. Or try painting words that are meaningful to you such as "hope" or "peace" on stones. If you choose to paint words on the stones, stick with a color such as black, to keep the natural feel. You may also scatter a few smooth stones around the base of plants or other decorative objects.

Asian Decor Element #6: Room Dividers

Room dividers are an excellent way to add a touch of elegant Asian-inspired décor to your home. Room dividers come in different types and styles. There are simple rice paper room dividers, painted room dividers with Asian scenery, black lacquer room dividers, and room dividers with stunning Chinese silk embroidery.

Room dividers can be used, of course, to divide rooms, but they can also be used in other unique ways as well. Here are some possibilities: Hang a room divider on a large wall in place of other art. Or place a large room divider against a wall and put other things in front of it such as a plant on a stand, a couple of low chairs, etc. One of my favorite ideas is to use a room divider above a bed for a unique headboard.

Asian Decor Element #7: Fabric

Fabric is one of the most incredible offerings that come to us from Asia. Intricate embroidery, silks, brocades, and appliqué are all beautiful components of Asian fabric that can be used to decorate your home.

Saris make excellent sheer window coverings, and easy to create valances. Cushion covers made from saris can be used for cushions, of course, but can also be framed and hung on the wall.

And of course fabric can be use to upholster a western-made sofa or chair, blending east and west for maximum beauty and functionality.

Table runners, placemats, and napkins are a great way to bring Asian inspired décor into your dining room.

Sources for Asian Décor

Of course, the best place to buy Asian Décor is in Asia, but most people don't have an opportunity to travel to Asia. Thankfully, inexpensive Asian décor can be found in numerous places in the U.S.

Pier 1 Imports, Tuesday Morning, Cost Plus World Market, Hobby Lobby, and Target (when they are having their Global Bazaar) are some of the best places to find Asian inspired décor in the U.S.

Many online stores also sell Asian inspired décor, but shipping costs can be prohibitive.