If you like your home interiors to be understated with a dash of artistic elegance, then the Oriental style is just for you. Derived from the variegated art and design traditions from Southeast Asian countries, it is a pleasant commingling of the vibrant and the tranquil, the bold and the subtle, the monochromatic and the kaleidoscopic. Here’s everything you need to know about this eclectic decor style and how you can make the most of it in your home.

Zen zone with a neutral backdrop

Oriental home decor is all about creating a Zen-like space that is not only easy on the senses, but also helps calm the mind. Natural and earthy tones feature often in this style, so the first step towards infusing some of that Oriental charm in your home is to opt for a neutral base, such as white, cream, light grey or even pastel blue and green. This not only helps create a laidback ambience, but also gives you immense scope to experiment with other elements of the room’s decor. Solid wallpapers in neutral colours or those with a subtle print work best for an Asian-inspired home.

Bright splashes of colour

Asian decor is as much about soothing neutral tones as it is about exciting splashes of colour. Vibrant accents, when placed against a neutral backdrop, create an aesthetical contrast that truly makes the space come alive. Imbue your home with vivid reds, cherry-blossom pinks, rich purples, greens and blues and bright yellows through statement walls with a bold botanical print, upholstery in big floral designs, jewel-toned or embellished cushion covers and runners or a bright Oriental carpet. Home décor trends state golden to be among the hottest colours this season, so don’t shy away from adding a few golden accents here and there for that extra punch.

Balance is key 

The far East is often looked upon for inspiration when it comes to achieving a balanced state of mind and emotions, and the same applies to an Oriental home decor. All the elements in your room, such as colours, textures and artefacts, need to come together in harmony to create a space that is balanced as well as aesthetically pleasing. For instance, when using oriental prints on upholstery, make sure some of the colours from the print find their way to the wall or the curtains. If you are using many decor accessories, it is best to space them out. For a room that is too blocky, create points of textural interest by using textured wallpaper, wooden mats and stone artefacts. Another great way to do so is to use blinds or curtains as partitions.

Bring nature in

The Orient shares a close relationship with nature and this relationship is apparent in the Asian interior design vocabulary, which is dominated by botanical prints and natural stone and wood artefacts. In fact, inclusion of natural elements into one’s home is strongly suggested by Feng Shui, the Chinese philosophy of spatial arrangement. If you’re going for a complete revamp of your home’s interiors, consider opting for wooden flooring, a natural stone wall, bamboo partition screens and even an indoor water feature to bring some of the outdoors in. However, if this is not possible, you can simply use a digitally printed wallpaper in a natural theme, such as a lush green forest, a milky waterfall or faux wood or stone. You can also use indoor plants or decor items made from natural elements like dried wood and leaves to spruce up the space.

Tales from the Orient

Oriental art is known for its bold use of colours, minute details and its evocative quality, making it perfect for instilling your home’s interiors with a dash of vitality. Oriental wall decor like exquisite wooden mirror frames, traditional tapestries, paintings, wall-hangings, masks, scrolls, ornamental gongs and bells as well as other items like statues carved out of stone, statement rugs and curtains, wooden trunks and cabinets featuring traditional oriental designs—all are integral to Southeast Asian design and add an elegant flair to your home’s decor.

Source: www.ddecor.com/blog