Japanese Home Decor is greatly influenced by the many cultures and traditions of Asia, celebrating harmony, love for nature, clean lines and balance. And while some prefer Japanese home decor to bring some Zen into their home and quiet their minds, most just do it for the beauty. Whether adding a touch of traditional, Asian, or just plain fun to their home interiors, interior designers around the world are creating masterpieces every day. Most Japanese designs stick with simple patterns and colors, but each style has something unique to offer. In order to find a true feel for Japanese Home Decor, you’ll need to look at each design closely to see if it’s truly from Japan, or just another exotic interior design.
One of the most common things you will notice about authentic Japanese home decor is that it often has vertical lines, using wood paneling to frame one room at a time. Using natural wood instead of laminate or plywood, the designs often have wooden doorways with rustic and natural wood grained finishes. For instance, instead of a standard curtain paneled front door, you might look for a sliding glass door with intricate wood carving. Another natural wood feature is the use of bamboo in interior design, most commonly in the form of a screen for a patio door, or a wall mounted lantern. These bamboo accents are easy to care for and will age beautifully, becoming rich with rich colors as the years pass.
In addition to using natural wood in their interior design, many Japanese homes will use glass. Often, they will use it to create windows, which are either completely framed or have glass panels for sliding doors. This is also done for skylights, adding much needed natural light into the home. As you can see, the wood and bamboo characteristics found in Japanese decor are combined with elements found in western design to create a home that is warm and inviting. Adding such elements as these can help you transform your home from an uninviting, cold place into a warm and inviting area. This, in turn, can make your home a great place to feel at home in.
Home Decorating Ideas on a Budget – Japanese Style
When most people think about Japanese decor, they tend to picture a rather plain and subdued color scheme that is often times devoid of any form of artistry or embellishments. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, many Japanese homemakers, as well as westerners, decorate their homes with nothing but Japanese home decorations. Because of this, it is not uncommon to walk into an ordinary Japanese home and find a very small amount of “furniture” or artistry within the decor. The truth is, Japanese decor is simple, elegant and natural. The simplicity of the designs often times draws people to use this form of decor in order to create a Zen-like atmosphere in their home.
While most Japanese home decor focuses on a Zen feel, there are also those who look to the classic elements of simplicity and artistry. There are two types of Japanese decorations that one can choose from; the more common ones are the common symbols that you find on the Japanese walls, while others are a bit more abstract such as the ever popular Koi fish. As you browse through Japanese walls, you will notice that they are typically flat and large in size. These are known as tatami mats, which are found in most traditional Japanese gardens. Common symbols that you will commonly find in these walls include the kanji (symbolizing heaven), the koi fish (signifying fish), the Lotus flower (signifying female beauty), and of course the kimono (which symbolizes honor). If you are looking for a more unique or foreign type of theme for your Japanese home, you will see that these symbols are just a few of the options that you have to choose from.
One of the most popular themes among Japanese home decorations is that of naturalness. Natural elements such as trees, waterfalls, and mountains are a common motif in Japanese decor. As with many things in Japan, the use of wood is very common; you will see many pieces that are made entirely out of wood. This includes flooring, furniture, and even decorative wall decorations such as the famous cherry blossom tree. Of course, this does not mean that you have to shy away from the use of modern technology when incorporating these types of themes into your Japanese home decors; in fact, many modern devices such as lights and even appliances have been adapted to work well in Japanese design.
