| Japanese-inspired decorative style should take its cue | | | | wood bases and box or spherical paper shades in |
| from the culture's influences honoring simplicity and | | | | natural parchment. |
| natural order. The goal in designing any Japanese | | | | Naturally Comfortable Fabric & Pattern |
| interior is to radiate a sense of calm and serenity by | | | | Outfit your Japanese style bedroom with bedding and |
| balancing clean open spaces with orderly presentation | | | | wall hangings made of natural textiles such as silk and |
| and harmonious arrangements of furniture and | | | | cotton. Fabrics are typically used in natural tones or |
| accents. | | | | somber, restful shades such as deep blue, slate or |
| Choosing a Calm Color Palette | | | | deep green; steer clear of overly adorned fabrics |
| Japanese style focuses on subdued muted hues and | | | | embellished with mixes of color and pattern. |
| shies away from colors that are bold, brassy or bright. | | | | Keep your Japanese style bedroom authentic all the |
| Tranquil shades of grey, brown and green that are | | | | way to the floor. A tatami mat is a traditional Japanese |
| reflective of nature provide a soothing backdrop for | | | | floor covering made of compressed rice straw; the |
| wood tones that may range from light shades of | | | | edges of the mat are characteristically bordered in |
| bamboo to deeper lacquered pieces. For harmony's | | | | black linen or it may feature a colorful fabric border. |
| sake, the color tone of furniture should be consistent | | | | You can use a traditional style mat against hardwood |
| throughout the room. Bolder strokes of color may be | | | | floor or use it to define the space at the foot of the |
| used reserved and used judiciously for accents; a | | | | bed on top of neutral carpeting. If you desire more |
| bright Japanese fabric screening may be a featured | | | | color or pattern, stick to patterns that evoke nature, |
| wall art and its colors repeated in silk accent pillows | | | | such as bed linens or pillows with a simple bamboo or |
| upon the bed or a side chair. | | | | grass designs and add restrained doses of color with |
| Traditional Furnishings | | | | luxurious silk pillows, comforter or duvet. |
| When arranging furniture, creating balance and | | | | Accessorize with Restraint |
| harmony is key and spaces should be open and | | | | The Western tendency is to layer and display |
| uncluttered. Choose Asian or modern style furniture | | | | accessories with abandon, but in a Japanese styled |
| that is low in height with simple horizontal lines and | | | | bedroom you will need to edit your accessories |
| clean styling. Achieve balance with side tables on either | | | | carefully, even if they are Japanese in style and design. |
| side of the bed and a simple dresser on the opposite | | | | Choose quality pieces and arrange them carefully so |
| wall. A futon, which consists of a thick mattress lined | | | | that you create balance and harmony punctuated by |
| with fabric, is a traditional Japanese bed. Typically, it is | | | | clean space. |
| simply dressed with a comforter or blanket. You can | | | | A traditional Japanese accessory is a Shoji screen, a |
| choose a traditional futon or its modern version, the | | | | simple wood or bamboo frame stretched with rice |
| platform bed. A platform bed uses only a mattress set | | | | paper. It can be used behind a chair or bed, or in a |
| upon a simple framed or slatted platform for support | | | | corner to create depth. Hide a light fixture behind the |
| so that a box spring is not required as a foundation | | | | screen and set it on a timer to illuminate the screen |
| under the mattress. | | | | with gentle radiance. You can also use a Shoji screen |
| Pure Light | | | | to divide a large room, to create an entry into the |
| Lighting in a Japanese bedroom is simple and | | | | room, or to hide a closet area; or use a Shoji screen |
| unpretentious. Let in whatever natural light is available | | | | front of a window as a simply traditional Japanese |
| through rice paper or bamboo shades. For more | | | | window treatment. Finally bring an element of nature to |
| luxury, solid or minimally patterned silk fabric panels can | | | | the bedroom with a tray of bonsai, a gathering of |
| be hung on either side of a window. Supplement | | | | bamboo reeds in a tall vase, or a small tabletop or |
| natural light with floor lamps and hanging lanterns with | | | | windowsill fountain. |