collaborative guest post
Themed bedrooms were once a niche concern and were only really sought after by the obscenely wealthy. But as time has worn on and tastes have become less ostentatious, the rest of us have decided to get in on the action.
More and more of us are now looking to the East for our design inspiration and with good reason. Eastern culture is sparse, delicate and refined with more emphasis on atmosphere and elegance than we are traditionally accustomed to in the western world. This sparseness is perfectly conducive to a good night’s sleep. Below, we’ll underline a few simple design options for your bedroom, which will imbue it with all the mystique, grace and understated beauty of the Asian world.
Colour me impressed
The colour schemes preferred by the Asian world are far more subtle so if you’re looking to give your bedroom an Asian flavour, you’re going to want to steer clear of strong, bold colours.
The majority of modern Asian homes stick quite rigidly to white, black, red and ‘natural’, schemes which lend the room a uniform, organic atmosphere. Wall art is, of course, an exception but try not to put up anything too garish. Sticking with Asian style artwork (Japanese writing, pencil drawings etc.) will really help the theme feel cohesive.
Minimalism
If you’re sticking with the Asian theme then minimalism is going to be your best friend. The room can be decorated with little more than a bed, a subtle black rug, some simple bedside tables and a headboard. All of the clothing, meanwhile, should be kept in a walk-in closet.
This would be a perfect example of the Asian ‘less is more’ philosophy to design. There is no clutter, only what is needed. Letting a large amount of natural light into the room is vital as it will really help make the room feel larger and more ‘alive’. Try using blinds instead of curtains, Japanese styled screen doors or even traditional styled Chinese shutters if your wallet (and imagination) can stretch to it.
The Furniture
The bed frame itself should be simple and free from needless accruements. A simple, basic but elegant design that rests closer to the ground with a subtle headboard. Chairs (it’s the bedroom so you won’t be doing much sitting right) should be replaced with futons or large cushions to maximise the sense of ‘space’ and all of your clothing should be stored in one, large wardrobe. For lighting, consider subtle bedroom table lamps over overhead lighting for a softer and more flexible look. The general rule is ‘the lesser, the better’. In terms of accessories, the Asian plant life and hanging lamps in the example below should give you some good ideas.
