Characteristics of an Oriental Design Style

Japanese Design

• You've probably heard the term, "zen" used in modern language as a word to describe a peaceful and serene lifestyle. Japanese design completely embodies this age-old way of living through simplistic decor and the use of natural materials. You won't find man-made colors or flashy, sequined fabrics in this design style, but you will find subdued colors (browns, greens and gray) as well as soft floral patterns intricately woven into silk fabrics. You will commonly see bamboo and stone as material for furniture and translucent doors (shoji doors) as room dividers. Japanese design contains mostly straight lines and is easily incorporated into modern design.

Chinese Design

• The Chinese design style is even easier to spot than the Japanese design style. Generally Chinese design makes use of strong colors and dark wood furniture with a thick coat of lacquer finish. The most prominent color used in Chinese design is red as red is a sign of good luck in the Chinese culture. Yellow is another commonly used color for interiors, and blue and white are used most often for traditional accessories. Wall murals and folding screens often depict historical scenes and important Chinese characters, and paper lanterns are commonly used as lighting fixtures.

Other Elements

• Oriental design does not have to include all the elements mentioned above nor does it have to follow any strict guidelines. Decorating can be as simple as placing an oriental rug under a dining room table and pairing it with a kimono belt (called an obi) as a table runner. Placing a single orchid on a window seal using a sake jug as the vase will also help to incorporate the style. Contemporary oriental design often showcases platform beds and other pieces of furniture that are low to the ground. Sitting on the floor around a coffee table is not uncommon.