How to Get on the Chinoiserie Train Without Going Overboard


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Even if you don’t know it by name, you’ve most likely seen Chinoiserie decor over the years.

I remember seeing it in the homes of older people when I was a kid.

Today, I can’t flip a page in a magazine or scroll through Pinterest without seeing homes featuring Chinoiserie.

chinoiserie
Source: Pinterest

What Is Chinoiserie?

This highly ornate style of decor is the Western interpretation of Chinese motifs.

Most popularly seen in white and blue porcelain pots and vases.

I must admit, I used to think this style looked cheap and gaudy.  However, my affection for this style has grown as I see it styled in a more modern fashion.

Also, those beautiful porcelain pieces are anything but cheap.  The large pots can go for a few hundred dollars.

Furniture, like credenzas and dressers, can be sold in the thousands.

So, why has my opinion changed?  I think it’s because all of the examples I experienced growing up were overdone.

There was too much pattern on too many surfaces and in way too many colors.

As I learn new ways to style these accents, I find the key to be a balance of color, surface choice, and quantity.  By being careful to consider each of these things in your design, you’ll prevent your space from being overpowered.

How To Balance Chinoiserie Decor

Color

Avoid layering too many color patterns together.  Opt for a tone-on-tone motif.  For example, choose all of your pieces in shades of blue and white, or blank and gold/brown.

This is the cleanest way to feature this type of decoration.  Placing seven blue and white pots on top of a black and gold credenza, in front of a multi-colored tapestry is going to be way too much.

Instead, try tone-on-tone Chinoiserie set on a solid, neutral surface or backdrop.

chinoiserie
Source: Pinterest

Surface

For this style of decor, it’s best to stick to decorating one or two surfaces

By this, I mean consider walls, floors, ceilings, and elevated horizontal surfaces (i.e. countertops, tabletops, shelves, mantles) as your 4 surface types.

Choose decor items that were meant to be displayed on a maximum of two surfaces.  i.e. Rugs or tiles (surface 1) can be paired with vases placed on a shelf or mantle (surface 2).

Avoid having a rug, pottery, wall painting, and hanging lantern all in one space.  Using all four surfaces at once will just make it the “Chinoiserie Room”.

It will be all anyone sees.

chinoiserie
Source: oomphonline.com

Quantity

The number of items you choose goes hand in hand with the number of surfaces you choose to style.  If the only thing you’re styling is a white credenza then go crazy.

Fill the entire surface with it if you’d like.  It will look like a lovely display of your collection.

You’ll have a balance of color and surface.  However, if you’re hanging Chinoiserie art on your wall behind the credenza, limit the number of items to 3.

chinoiserie
Source: modernpotterie.net

Do you have Chinoiserie decor in your home?  If so, comment below and tell us how you styled it.

If you liked this post please share it with a friend.  For more content from Dianne Decor follow us on Bloglovin’.

Also, check out our Pinterest Board that goes with this post for decorating inspiration.

Thanks for reading!
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1 Comment
  • Ellen
    April 16, 2023

    Lyndsey Diane- Thank you for your comments on chinoiserie. I have avoided it for years, and I now realize it’s because I also thought it was cheap and gaudy. I had a few inexpensive pieces years ago. What changed my mind was touring historic homes in Louisiana. I saw it frequently and realized how beautiful the ginger jars and vases look, especially against dark wood furniture. I’ve noticed the porcelain pieces are mostly displayed in groups. I am now adding pieces to my home, but I didn’t want to overdo it. Your tips are very helpful. I’m thinking I’ll stick with just the chinoiserie porcelain.