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If you love classic, grandmillennial-inspired style, chances are you’ve seen chinoiserie printed finds all over social media.
Chinoiserie design is the perfect pattern to add to your coastal home, but there are a few tricks to making sure it looks well-placed.
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Chinoiserie decor has a way of feeling both timeless and modern. From statement pieces with chinoiserie elements to subtle accents, incorporating a touch of chinoiserie is a great way to elevate your home’s decor.
Photography by @margaret.wright
This post is your ultimate guide to styling chinoiserie pieces in your home!
The History of Chinoiserie Decor
Rooted in the 17th century and gaining popularity again in the 18th century, this look originated from Europe’s fascination with East Asia and its rich artistic traditions.
European makers were inspired by imported goods and textiles, floral motifs, Chinese aesthetics, and Asian artistic traditions.
This created a romanticized interpretation that blended Chinese art with a distinctly European decorative style.
Today, chinoiserie is popular for many of the same reasons it captivated designers centuries ago!
Photography by @margaret.wright
It adds personality, pattern, and storytelling to a space. The most distinctive features of chinoiserie include nature scenes, bird motifs, and fantastical oriental scenes.
Whether you love the classic blue & white palette or prefer brighter colors, this style works beautifully in both traditional and modern home settings.
Shop The Look
Framed Intaglio Art // Chinoiserie Tissue Box // Bamboo Mirror // White Ginger Jars // Throw Pillows // Planter // White Bamboo Cachepot // Gold Table Lamp
The good news? You don’t have to commit to a fully themed room to enjoy it. I’ll show you how to incorporate it in just the right ways so that it doesn’t overpower your home, but still adds that character you’re looking for with the right decorative accents.
What Colors and Textures to Pair with Chinoiserie
While blue and white are the most recognizable, chinoiserie also embraces green, pink, and red. The use of vibrant colors is encouraged with chinoiserie.
Mixing different patterns is totally fine, especially when balanced with solids or natural textures. Don’t be afraid to have a few different chinoiserie patterns in your own home.
Bamboo details pair beautifully with chinoiserie, and are one of my favorite textures to use! Bamboo chairs or mirrors look so lovely with chinoiserie decor. Any Asian-inspired furniture is a perfect match for this look.
I also love adding gold accents to break up the palette without making it feel busy!
Styling Tips That Make Chinoiserie Feel More Intentional
Chinoiserie is at its best when used thoughtfully. It’s a louder print, so you don’t want to splash the entire home from head to toe in chinoiserie.
Use the right place for each piece so it feels purposeful. I’ll give suggestions below of some decor items and where I’d suggest styling them to help you.
You’ll notice I try to cover different rooms of the home or have a lot of chinoiserie in the same room. Spacing it out throughout the home gives just enough interest!
A great idea is styling chinoiserie accents in odd numbers for balance. I use one or three pieces styled closely.
Chinoiserie Wallpaper Ideas
Thinking of using chinoiserie style wallpapers? It’s a great idea! I love it for an accent wall. It instantly adds pattern and personality without feeling too over-the-top.
The designs are stunning, and the great news is that peel-and-stick options make it low-commitment compared to traditional wallpaper.
It’s an easy way to get that designer look without the stress, and it works in a powder room, living room, or even behind a console table.
Practical Ways to Bring Chinoiserie Into Your Decor
Now that you have a feel for chinoiserie and why it works so well in today’s homes, let’s get into the fun part.
I’m about to share my favorite tips and ideas for decorating with chinoiserie decor!
Whether you want to go all in or add a few thoughtful touches that make your space feel layered, collected, and intentional, these pieces and tips should help you bring chinoiserie elegantly into your home.
1. Swap Throw Pillow Covers out for Chinoiserie Patterned Options
Swapping out your throw pillow covers is one of the easiest and least intimidating ways to bring chinoiserie into your home.
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Pillows are low-commitment, affordable, and simple to change with the seasons, making them a great starting point if you’re new to patterned decor.
A chinoiserie inspired print instantly adds interest, color, and a collected feel without overwhelming the room.
I like to treat these pillows as accent pieces rather than the star of the show.
Mix one or two chinoiserie patterns in with solid or subtly textured pillows to keep things balanced.
This approach works especially well on a sofa, bed, or accent chair for the pattern to shine.
2. DIY Chinoiserie Pumpkins for Seasonal Decor
DIY chinoiserie pumpkins are such a fun way to bring this style into your home for fall without leaning too spooky!
I love using pumpkins on a front porch, fireplace wall, built-ins, or styled into a fall vignette with neutral florals and natural textures.
If you enjoy seasonal decorating but want something a little more elevated, this is a simple DIY option.
3. Add Ginger Jars in Chinoiserie Patterned Prints
Adding ginger jars in chinoiserie patterned prints is a classic move for a reason. They are an integral part of any chinoiserie-themed design.
These pieces work beautifully as decor on shelves, consoles, or a mantel. They are easy to layer into almost any room, making it easy to incorporate chinoiserie in your home.
I like using ginger jars with books, greenery, or neutral accessories. Style a white ginger jar next to a colorful one. When styled in sets of varying heights, these chinoiserie vases look incredible!
4. Add a Planter To Your Porch
Adding a chinoiserie style planter to your porch is an easy way to make your outdoor space feel more intentional and welcoming.
Do not forget that the exterior space of your home should coordinate with the interior!
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Blue & White Porcelain Planter
This is a beautiful way to add pattern and charm to your space, indoors or out! The hand-painted design gives it an artisan feel, while the stoneware construction makes it sturdy and practical for everyday use.
A patterned planter brings in color and detail right at the entryway, setting the tone for your home before anyone even steps inside.
5. Place a Table Lamp on the Entryway Console Table
Don’t miss chinoiserie lamps! Placing a table lamp on an entryway console table is an easy way to make your home feel warm and welcoming.
Chinoiserie Printed Table Lamp
This lamp is a simple way to add pattern and personality to an entryway or console table! The print feels so expensive, but it’s not.
I like to keep the rest of the console styling simple so the lamp stands out. Paired with a mirror or artwork, it creates a balanced, pulled-together look that instantly elevates your entryway.
6. Hang Chinoiserie Wall Art in the Living Room
Hanging chinoiserie art in the living room is a great way to introduce pattern and color without adding more furniture or accessories.
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Chinoiserie style artwork draws the eye and provides vertical interest. Whether you choose a statement piece or a small gallery, wall art is a must!
Chinese Rice Paper Flower And Bird Bamboo Frame
This large piece of art is a beautiful way to bring in chinoiserie and classic Asian style. The delicate floral and bird imagery matches the chinoiserie style.
Placed above a sofa, console, or fireplace, it becomes a subtle focal point that ties the room together and adds a designer feel.
7. Incorporate a Garden Stool in the Bathroom
Incorporating a garden stool in the bathroom is an easy way to add personality and function at the same time.
A chinoiserie style stool is perfect. I like using a garden stool next to a tub or vanity as a spot for towels, candles, or a small tray.
Glazed Ceramic Blue Chinoiserie Garden Stool
I love this piece next to a tub or vanity as a spot for towels or decor. It’s functional, stylish, and an easy way to elevate your bathroom.
It’s a small addition, but it really helps bring in some chinoiserie to the bathroom.
8. Add a Chinoiserie Coffee Table Book to Your Stack of Books
Sneaking a chinoiserie coffee table book into your books is a subtle but impactful way to introduce the style into your space.
This works especially well on a coffee table, console, or shelf where books are already part of the decor.
Blue and White Done Right Coffee Table Book
The classic blue and white design style of this book makes it both decorative and timeless, so it looks just as good styled on a coffee table as it does on a shelf.
I like to use at least one chinoiserie themed book in bookshelf decor!
9. Place an Umbrella Stand by the Front Door
Placing an umbrella stand by the front door is a practical detail that can also double as decor!
I like positioning it near a console or bench, so it feels intentional rather than tucked away.
Blue & White Porcelain Umbrella Stand
This is a great example of turning practical finds into decorative objects. You’ll hold your umbrellas in style with this find.
Even when it’s not in use, it adds height and visual interest, making the entryway feel more styled and welcoming.
10. Create a Plate Gallery Wall in Your Dining Room
Creating a plate gallery wall in your dining room is a fun way to showcase chinoiserie patterns!
Plates add texture, color, and visual interest to a wall without taking up floor space, which is great.
Spode Blue Room Georgian Plates
These are a beautiful way to add classic chinoiserie charm to your dining room. They are perfect for a plate gallery wall or display.
A mix of blue and white designs brings that classic chinoiserie feel to the room.
Conclusion
Decorating with chinoiserie decor is an easy way to bring true interest and personality to your home decor.
These pieces add depth to your design and will take your space from boring to styled. Chinoiserie home decor is a very popular design trend for good reason – it’s beautiful, flexible, and inspiring!
