The beauty and variety of ornamental items from Asia have made decorating in a Chinese theme accessible and popular. The principal goal in decorating this way is to achieve balance by being attentive to color, accents and texture. Aim for minimalist design, clean lines and harmonic colors, but don't forget to add a little of your personal flair by integrating artwork in lacquered frames or your favorite collections on antique Chinese shelves.
Get inspired. Look at images of Chinese art, architecture, design and decor. Styles ranging from traditional to modern are represented in the pages of "Oriental Decor" (see Resources below). If you live in a major city with a Chinese community, spend some time there to see how shopkeepers, businesses and restaurants use color, texture and accessories to create a Chinese-themed ambiance. Stores such as Cost Plus, Pier 1 and Pottery Barn often feature pieces inspired by Asian design as well.
Consider color. Chinese and pan-Asian themes are characterized by intense shades of red, which in Chinese tradition is considered lucky and a harbinger of good fortune. Gold, gray, tan and antique cream shades are also common. Wooden pieces are typically a dark chocolate brown or an intense burgundy hue.
Pepper the interior with texture. Natural materials are key when decorating in a Chinese theme. Grow stalks of bamboo in large earthenware pots. Wood, stone, ceramic, paper, straw and water are common elements in a Chinese-style home and garden. Contrast rough wooden floor beams with a soft Oriental carpet, or place shiny lacquered items on an old shelf with distressed paint. Stack big baskets of different weaves next to one another.
Accessorize the look. Invest in a couple of pieces of antique or contemporary Chinese furniture, such as a carved wooden coffee table or a lavishly upholstered couch. Simpler accessories include Chinese fans, masks, lanterns, parasols, calligraphy scroll paintings and statuary. Sacred animals, such as elephants and panda bears, are often represented on textiles and in paintings. Wooden, glass or sandstone Buddha statues give an interior Zen style.
Integrate nature. Chinese and Asian themes are about connecting the home's interior with the outdoor world. Shoji screens with translucent paper allow light to seep through from the outdoors. Greenery, tabletop rock gardens, potted trees, vases holding a single blossom, lucky bamboo plants and water features add to the effect. Extend the Chinese theme to the patio or deck with low patio tables, cushions for seating, candles set in sand and Asian ceramics for open-air dining.
