Two Purposes

When you look at Oriental interior design and the people who are using it in their homes, there are usually two reasons why they are choosing to do so. They either want to portray that they belong to an affluent, high class of society or they want to portray an idea of family.

High Class

Most of the time, when Oriental interior design is used, the person who is using it is trying to make the idea and the room very upscale. This is where you see the elegant wall paintings and tapestries, and it is also where you see the beautiful lamps and the deep rich colors. It has long been assumed than an idea of Oriental interior design can really be a way of showing wealth and high class, and to this day many people use Oriental interior design to reflect just that.

Of course, with the things that you can find today, you don’t’ have to have wealth or move in the upper echelons of society to display your liking for Oriental interior design. There are many things that you can get that are not expensive, and you can use them in your home, and have the same effect as if you would have spent lots of money. Large screens, urns and Chinese writing framed art are just a few examples. This is why Oriental interior design has become quite popular.

Family

Another important part of the Oriental interior design is the idea of family. Traditionally the Oriental interior design has celebrated many different aspects of family, and it is often used in a home to celebrate how close knit the family that lives there is. You can use many aspects of Oriental interior design to promote and to celebrate family in your own home design. So whether it is bamboo furniture or eating while seated on the floor, you can ring a piece of the Orient in to your home easily.

Light is diffused and living and sleeping areas are flexible and usually have moveable screens. Some sleeping areas are futons put on the floor at night, then packed up during the day and stored for more living space. This might seem very strange for westerners, but it is the Japanese way of life. Japanese Interior Design is a simple form of design if you understand the underlying principles. Ignoring these principles will make Japanese Interior Design very difficult for the average Interior Designer.

The Japanese Home

The Japanese home is a private sanctuary hidden away from the chaos and hectic challenges of the world outside. The traditional dwellings are made from natural, organic materials, such as clay, straw, paper, woods (both hardwoods and bamboo) and stone. Japanese Interior Design also makes use of water, natural light and greenery. Again, the use of the ying and the yang are seen as the inside dweller is bringing the outside in to live in harmony. This timeless design is still a fascination to most designers.

The Japanese room is known for its clean lines and uncluttered look. There is furniture in a Japanese room, however, not very many pieces. The colors of Japanese Interior Design are usually quite subdued, showing preference for colors that are soft and quietly restrained. These colors are drawn from neutral palettes, incorporating grays, beiges, browns and off-whites. The majority of Japanese color schemes are monochromatic and lend themselves to dark hardwoods, polished concrete, bamboo or stones and pebbles.

The sliding doors in Japanese Interior Design are known as shoji screens, fusuma doors and ranma transoms. Another standard in Japanese homes are their floors. These innovative floors are a tatami mat flooring system. The tokonoma alcove is another element of the Japanese Interior Design home. This alcove is a spot for family treasures and artwork or seasonal decorations. You might find a bonsai, hanging scroll or ikebana displayed in the tokonoma alcove. This alcove serves as a similar role to a mantle over a fireplace in a Western home. If you are interested in reading an interesting interior design book, than a book on Japanese Interior Design is the book you should read as the Japanese are indeed a fascinating culture to study.

Basics of Chinese Interior Design

One of the most basic aspects of Chinese Interior Design is the screens which are used for room decoration and privacy. Traditionally the screens were lattice frames with translucent fabric or paper providing privacy and design. Screens are now made of more elaborate materials including beautifully carved woods and bamboo with ivory and fine metal inlays. These screens create a sense of mystery while adding considerable beauty. Many people now use these screens even with other types of interior design.

Another basic of Chinese Interior Design is keeping a room very simple with rich and elegant objects skillfully placed for maximum affect. The Chinese tradition is that rather than have many mediocre objects in a room that one or two fine quality objects are the focal point. This focus dictates that the rooms will remain simple, airy and light.

The Art of Feng Shui

Much of Chinese Interior Design is based on the art of Feng Shui. Feng Shui is actually a spiritual form of living based in Chinese mysticism and belief. When using Feng Shui in interior design, furnishings, objects and colors are carefully chosen and placed to benefit the place and people. By using Feng Shui in Chinese Interior Design the belief is a person will have benefits in love, health and finances. There are many professional consultants on the art of Feng Shui which will help analyze a person and their surroundings to help determine what steps need to be taken for the most enrichment in the surroundings and personal life of an individual.

Adding Chinese Interior Design Accents

Sometimes a person likes the look of Chinese Interior Design but does not want to completely decorate this way. It is very simple to add the basics of Chinese design into other types of design without things looking out of place. Keeping a room very simple with few objects can be a basic for any design while also holding to Chinese tradition. And the use of screens for room dividers is a wonderful idea in most situations. It is also nice to pick a piece of Chinese art for placement in a home; for instance Chinese pottery and paintings will create a sense of exotic culture which will be enjoyable and impressive.