The Basics of Japanese Home Decor

Japanese home decor does not merely entail decorating; it is also about achieving a feeling of balance in the universe. This process is known as Zen, and it is an important consideration in true Japanese home decor. In Japanese decorating style, less is always more, so keep that in mind when you are looking for furnishings. Don t be afraid to allow open space in your rooms because the Japanese culture embraces space, and uses it as a way of balancing the Yin and Yang.

Color or lack thereof, is very important in Japanese home decor. Japanese interiors are usually a blend of neutral and natural colors, which will provide a simple background. Black is considered a necessary element in the color palette, but it is used more for defining form and aligning structures more than for actual color.

Since black doesn t clash with anything, the Japanese culture uses it as part of bringing a harmonious feel to a room. Vivid colors are used, but generally only in a single form. If you select a red piece of art, do not mix it on the same wall with another vivid color. A colorful piece is meant to stand out as a focal point of the room. If you use the same color in other parts of the room, the original piece will lose its potency.

Instead of putting various colors together, you can select contrasting finishes and textures for different items. This is actually considered an integral part of balancing. Japanese home decor has many textures such as long grained cedar wood, rice paper, lacquer, bamboo, wicker, and beautiful fabrics of different silks.

Classic objects for Japanese Home Decor

To add objects with an Eastern influence to your Japanese home decor, you can try a few of the classic and beautiful bits and pieces. A finely made kimono can add art to a room without any effort at all, because a Japanese kimono is considered to be the canvas of the Japanese artist. Wedding kimonos and fans are considered extremely valuable and decorative. Even hanging a kimono on a clothing stand or decorative bar can make a statement in any room with Japanese home decor.

An obi, which is a wide sash worn with a kimono, can make an excellent table runner or framed as a piece of art. If you are looking for something a bit more unique, you can group a collection of obis behind your bed to make a fabulous headboard. A Keyaki is a gorgeous antique door that can be used as a desk top, or coffee table top. Lastly, a sake keg can double as a plant holder. Depending on the size, you could also use it as a vase, end table, or lamp base. Use your imagination and plenty of eastern influence and you can create a room of beautiful and well-balanced Japanese home decor.

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How a Woman Can Integrate a Home Theater in Her Decor

So your husband wants to splurge on that huge Plasma screen and surround sound system and you ve tried everything to dissuade him. He s not backing down and because you know he ll more than make up for it in the diamond department come Christmas, you are now thinking of ways to incorporate the home theater in your present decor.

Technically TVs and tapestries do not mix and speakers and settees are not the perfect combination, and should be ushered to the basement. But now that the stuff is arriving in to your living or family room, it might as well look good.

Placement

Decide on the placement of your home theater in the decor of your room. If he gets to pick the screen size, you can pick the location. Perhaps the first wall as soon as you enter the house is not such a good idea as you don t want to shift focus from your fireplace or mural.

Decide on the placement so that you can get it delivered and installed in the correct place from the start instead of initiating another squabble a few weeks from now. Ensure plenty of seating around the home theater and decorate accordingly.

Accessories

A home theater does not just comprise of a beautiful flat screen. What about the receiver, DVD player, CD changer, Xbox and the other gizmos and gadgets? Buy an armoire or another form of cabinet to keep under the flat screen so at least all the other black and silver boxes are out of sight.

Cables

Home theatre decor rule number one should be that everything should be wireless now. Unfortunately everything isn t wireless yet – so buy cable caddies and cords before the new stuff arrives and try to tame them as much as possible before the area becomes wild with all kinds of wires criss-crossing across your Persian rug.

Compromise

After all, isn t that what any relationship is all about? Place some nice plants around the home theater to add life to your decor. Some framed art, flowers and candles may also work to soften up the place. Organizers and cubbies of any sort to house all the DVDs and other stuff which may be found lying around otherwise are always worth the money.

If everything fails, just breathe in and take look at those huge diamond earrings everything will start looking better!

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