How to Decorate an East Indian Theme Room
Design a Room to Showcase the Bold Colors of an Asian-Indian Style
Dec 2, 2008
If decorators can pull off an uninhibited style and have a flare for the exotic, they might be perfect candidates for designing an Indian theme room. Here are tips for exploring the trendy look that is looking less and less foreign with its newfound popularity.
Colors for an East Indian Theme Room
Bright color is key to an authentic Indian look. Bold reds, brilliant turquoise, and vibrant orange are set off with the glitter of gold embroidery and lacquer. Because the color array is so broad, decorators might consider settling on their focal point first. A color scheme will fall into place easily once tapestries have been chosen for the windows, or an Indian area rug for the center of the room.
Layered colors work well in an Indian theme room. For example, decorators can choose one shade of turquoise for the curtains, another for the throw pillows, and a third for the walls.
Furniture for an Asian-Indian Style Room
Elaborately carved wood is integral to Indian décor. Archways, window lattices, pillars, balconies, and even ceilings display intricate woodwork. Decorators can introduce this motif into their home with carved furniture, accent pieces, mirrors and picture frames.
Wooden furniture in the Indian style is ornately embellished with carvings and ivory, metal, or brass wire inlays. Pieces designed for seating are generally lower than western couches and stools.
Darker wood prevails in an Indian theme room. Some common woods used to craft authentic Indian accent pieces and furniture include: walnut, sandalwood, teak, sheesham, ebony, redwood, rosewood, and red cedar.
For a more affordable option to carved wood furnishings, decorators might consider Indian cane or bamboo pieces. Cane lends a sheik, natural look to any Indian theme décor.
Fabrics and Textiles for an East Indian Style Room
The popularity of decorating with an Indian style makes it easy to find premade bed sets, pillows, window treatments, and cushions of Indian textiles. But, for the do-it-yourself decorators, Indian saris offer a huge head start.
Bright saris, or wide pieces of cloth worn as traditional wraps by Indian women, are the focal point for many Indian theme rooms. One sari can yield enough cloth to make a set of curtains. Saris can also be pieced together to make colorful bedspreads and throw pillows. EBay is a great place to scope out authentic saris at bargain prices.
Indian Area Rugs
Indian carpets are traditionally woven of wool or silk. More affordable Accent rugs can be found of jute, bamboo, grass, and cotton.
Accent Décor for an Asian-Indian Theme Room
Screens are a functional way to decorate an Indian theme room. The folding panels are either carved, lacquered, or inlayed with metal patterns.
Carved wooden animals such as elephants and cows are popular East-Indian décor. These can be displayed alongside wooden boxes, chests, or trays bearing colorfully lacquered parrots, peacocks, suns, flowers, elephants, horses, and deer. A sandalwood chess set provides a sophisticated touch to an Indian theme room. And a bronze or copper bowl filled with floating candles or fragrant flowers is the perfect centerpiece for any coffee table or nightstand.
Complete the Indian theme look with bold throw pillows and cushions. The opulent colors and gold embroidery of typical Indian pillows will be certain to complement the exotic decor.
As with any theme, decorators will want to strike the balance of a bold look that isn’t overdone. A tastefully designed Indian theme room is a feast for the eyes, and tranquility for the spirit. For other ideas, decorators can check out articles covering rooms designed with safari, music, and garden themes.
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