Designing a Chinoiserie Style Living Room: 8 Fabulous Ideas

If you’re ready to create a living room that’s equal parts elegance and drama, Chinoiserie design is your go-to. This timeless style, inspired by East Asian art and aesthetics, combines intricate patterns, luxurious materials, and bold statement pieces. Here’s how you can bring Chinoiserie style into your living room in an effortless, glamorous way.

Start with a Bold Color Palette

Chinoiserie thrives on rich, dramatic colors. Think deep blues, emerald greens, and ruby reds paired with soft neutrals like cream, ivory, or pale gray. For a striking focal point, try painting a single wall in a bold color such as deep peacock blue or a rich, glossy red. You can balance these intense hues with muted tones on the other walls, ensuring the room feels sophisticated rather than overwhelming.

If painting isn’t your thing, wallpaper featuring intricate floral or nature-inspired Chinoiserie patterns is a perfect alternative. For an authentic touch, look for designs with cranes, cherry blossoms, or pagodas.

Vinyl Base Ground Color Palette for Chinoiserie Handpainted Wallpaper – etsy.com

Incorporate Luxurious Furniture

Choose furniture with classic silhouettes and rich finishes. A tufted velvet sofa in a jewel tone can anchor the room, while accent chairs with carved wood detailing or lacquered frames nod to traditional Chinoiserie craftsmanship.

For a coffee table or console, go for pieces with ornate legs, chinoiserie-style painted finishes, or gilded accents. If you’re feeling adventurous, an antique Chinese altar table repurposed as a console adds authenticity and a sense of history.

Chinoiserie Brown Lacquer and Gilt Decorated Coffee Table – 1stdibs.com

Add Dramatic Lighting

Lighting in a Chinoiserie living room should be as artistic as it is functional. Opt for a statement chandelier with ornate detailing, such as crystal, gilded metal, or even bamboo-inspired designs.

Place ceramic or porcelain table lamps with hand-painted designs on side tables for supplemental lighting. Look for lamps with motifs like dragons, birds, or floral patterns. Lantern-style brass or black metal pendants also work beautifully for a more rustic take on the style.

Gramercy Large Chandelier – visualcomfort.com

Embrace Statement Wallpaper

If there’s one hallmark of Chinoiserie design, it’s the wallpaper. Look for hand-painted or printed papers featuring intricate scenes of nature, like sprawling landscapes, exotic birds, or blooming trees. Schumacher and de Gournay are two luxury brands known for their breathtaking Chinoiserie wallpapers.

If covering an entire room is too much, use the wallpaper strategically. For a pop of elegance, cover just one accent wall or line the back of built-in shelves.

Antique Chinoiserie Wall Mural – wallpaperdream.com

Decorate with Porcelain and Ceramics

Porcelain is synonymous with Chinoiserie, so make it a cornerstone of your decor. Blue-and-white ginger jars, vases, and bowls can be grouped on mantels, side tables, or consoles for visual impact.

To mix things up, include celadon green, coral red, or black and gold pieces. For a softer, lived-in feel, fill the vases with fresh flowers, like orchids, peonies, or cherry blossoms.

Chinoiserie Lidded Jar – williams-sonoma.com

Layer in Intricate Textiles

Textiles bring softness and warmth to your living room while highlighting the Chinoiserie theme. Choose throw pillows, drapes, and area rugs with Asian-inspired patterns like cherry blossoms, bamboo, or geometric trellis designs.

Silk and velvet are ideal fabrics for achieving that rich, opulent feel. For a modern twist, pair bold patterns with simple, neutral furniture to let the textiles shine without overwhelming the space.

Sakura Decorative Feather Down Pillow – 24 inch – neimanmarcus.com

Create a Gallery of Art

Chinoiserie-style art is essential for completing the look. Frame and hang large-scale prints of traditional Chinese landscapes, calligraphy, or botanical scenes. Look for pieces with gilded or lacquered frames to match your furniture.

Consider incorporating folding screens or room dividers with hand-painted scenes if wall art isn’t enough. These can double as functional pieces and striking decor.

Walking on a Mountain Path in Spring by Ma Yuan Wall Art – greatbigcanvas.com

Finish with Thoughtful Accessories

Accessories tie the room together and add those finishing touches that make it feel like home. Consider these ideas:

• • Mirrors: Choose a gilded or lacquered mirror with bamboo detailing or a pagoda shape for added elegance.
  • Trays and Boxes: Lacquered trays, painted wooden boxes, or brass dishes are perfect for corralling small items on tables or consoles.
  • Statues and Sculptures: Add small statues of foo dogs, cranes, or even jade figurines for a subtle nod to traditional Chinese decor.
  • Books: For style and substance, stack books on Asian art, culture, or history on your coffee table.

Large Vintage Chinoiserie Bamboo and Brass Wall Mirror – chairish.com

Pulling It All Together

Chinoiserie design is all about striking a balance between ornate details and harmonious elements. Don’t feel you have to go all-in on every Chinoiserie feature to keep your living room cohesive. Instead, pick a few standout pieces—like a dramatic wallpaper, an opulent sofa, or an eye-catching chandelier—and let them take center stage. Layer in accessories and more minor elements to build the look gradually.

With these tips, your living room will exude Chinoiserie design’s timeless elegance and global charm.