Egyptian Home Decorating

Color Palette

• To give your home an Egyptian look, begin with an authentic color palette. Gold is one of the most traditional colors used in Egyptian décor, and while it may seem flashy, you can incorporate it in your home in a variety of subtle ways. Include furniture that features gold trim -- or paint the molding and woodwork in gold metallic. You can also use window treatments that have gold fringe detailing and introduce patterned fabric with gold accents.

  In Egyptian décor, black is often paired with gold, so look for furniture items that incorporate both colors. For the walls, opt for a neutral color like sand or other earth tones to evoke images of the desert. However, accents in rich blood-red is a must; it's also an ideal color for upholstered furniture. Blue is another key color in Egyptian décor, so introduce both royal blue and turquoise accents as well.

Columns

• Columns are common features in Egyptian architecture. You can find lightweight, faux Egyptian-style columns that resemble stone or plaster for easy installation against a wall or in a corner of your room. These columns create a bold statement, but you can opt for furniture that features column-style legs or shelving units that have supports designed to look like columns for a subtle look. You can also find half-columns that can serve as pedestals for display items, such as plants, vases and candles.

Hieroglyphic Patterns

• Because they are closely identified with Egyptian culture, hieroglyphic patterns make ideal additions. You can hang a wallpaper border with a hieroglyphic pattern at the top of your wall or lower as a chair rail if you want to showcase the pattern. You can even paint your own hieroglyphic mural to create an accent wall in your living room, family room or bedroom. For a more subtle look, opt for throw pillows or rugs that feature a hieroglyphic design.

Accessories

• Accessories are essential for tying an Egyptian-inspired room together. You can often find statues or busts of Egyptian gods, pharaohs and queens at home-furnishing stores and specialty shops; these items create a bold, colorful look to your room. Display palm fronds in oversized vases or pottery with Egyptian-inspired patterns, or display artwork that depicts images of the pyramids or Sphinx on the walls or mantle. In Egyptian culture, the cat is a sacred animal, so sleek feline figurines are ideal display items, particularly if they're black or gold.