Traditional Oriental-Style Decor

Colors

• Traditional oriental styles rely heavily on neutral colors and earth tones for most color schemes. Colors found in the orient include white, black, dark brown, bright blue, deep green and rich red. Look for one color to be primary in one room, and choose two secondary colors to add interest to it. Make one of the secondary colors the primary color in another room to keep a sense of unity in your home. If you go with red walls and beige and black secondary colors in your bathroom, use beige on your walls in your living room with red and black as secondary colors.

Furnishings

• Classic oriental pieces include furnishings with clean lines and very few details. Sofas and chairs are streamlined in basic styles. Wooden furniture with cushions is common in traditional oriental décor, and if you want to be even more authentic, you could use floor cushions, or zabutons, to enhance your rooms. Most tables and shelving units have simple styles and do not take up a lot of room.

Textures

• Use natural fibers to amplify the traditional look of the orient. Jute rugs, rattan, wicker and grass cloth capture the look of this distant culture. Natural fiber rugs emphasize the simplicity of this style, and grass cloth on the walls gives you room to add texture without cluttering a space. Use silk to add pops of color and flair to your rooms.

Accessories

• Use accessories that help create the nuance of the orient. Room dividers, parasols, lamps and wall art are a few accessories to personalize your style. Avoid going overboard with pieces that have too many colors. Use solid colors on pillows and vases to balance out the pattern on an oriental rug. Use figurines to add character to your home. From a single statue of Buddha or a dragon, you can create a mystical mood in your rooms.