With a serene, calm aesthetic and natural inspiration, Asian style refers to spaces with Japanese and Chinese influences. Japanese-style rooms use raw materials like bamboo and nature’s subtle palette, while Chinese interiors draw on highly stylized furnishings with hand-painted designs, lacquered finishes and a red and black palette.

Asian culture predates Western culture, and furnishings often were symbolic and functional rather than just decorative. "It wasn’t until the Renaissance that East met West in terms of furnishings," says Teal Michel, an interior designer based in Charlotte, N.C. Asian design has influenced many of the styles we decorate with today, but the spare, serene style is also popular in its traditional form.

Learn more about Asian-style decor, and get tips to incorporate the look into your home.