Great Oriental Furniture: Living Rooms, T.V. Stands, and Bookshelves, Oh My!

by todd harmon

If your living room could use a beautiful exotic touch, consider investing in some high-quality Oriental furniture.

An example of a modern oriental-style T.V. console

First, an explanation: “Oriental furniture” is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of furniture styles, generally imported from the Asian continent. Chinese furniture, Korean furniture, Japanese furniture, and even Indian furniture is generally considered to be Oriental furniture. So, as you can imagine, there is a lot of diversity and cultural flair to be found within this broad terminology.

This same diversity means you can decorate your home in a nearly limitless number of styles. Mixing and matching different kinds of Oriental furniture can yield endless exquisite results. An Asian T.V. stand or console, for example, is a very effective way to instantly give your home a modern appeal. If you purchase a Burmese bookshelf – an example as well – and install it in the same room, you can show off both the modern and efficient, yet beautiful sensibility of your interior design.

Middle Eastern furniture is also considered "Oriental." This is a Moroccan example.

You may be asking: “But why Asian furniture?” And of course, it’s a stylistic choice. But consider this: Western furniture has a tendency to be large and loud. In other words, a Western bedframe will be bulky and tall, with intricate engravings carved into the headboards and footboards. It’s pretty, sure, but it’s also highly impractical. And sometimes, its ostentation is just a little bit too much. An Asian platform bed, on the other hand, is highly space-efficient, small, and subtle. However, Asian furniture is absolutely beautiful to behold, not because it is “ornately carved” but because it is made from rich natural wood and engineered in interesting curves and minimalist angles. Oriental furniture is generally beautiful in and of itself; it doesn’t need to be engraved to be eye-catching.

Why not reinvigorate your living room with a brand new oriental entertainment center and some Asian furniture? Or give your bedroom new life with a great oriental platform bed? Pick from a number of unique and culturally distinctive styles, and find that perfect fusion of oriental furniture that will truly make your modern home shine!