7 Swoon-Worthy Rooms With Chinoiserie Style

Chinoiserie is a lot of things, but one thing it isn’t is subtle: Playful flourishes, look-at-me hues, and larger than life fantastical scenery are a few characteristics of this more-is-more style. First showing up in the 18th century and showing no signs of slowing down in popularity today, the style’s grand display of Eastern scenery has design aficionados, including myself, going ga-ga for this, dare I say, “granny chic” style.

While Chinoiserie furnishings can cost you big bucks (I’ve rounded up a few attainable pieces below), I’ve found that the best places to hunt for pieces are at local thrift stores, resale sites and apps such as Chairish, Everything but the House, OfferUp and LetGo.

Let’s take a look at some gorgeous rooms rockin’ this traditional aesthetic, shall we?

Above: Bespoke wallcovering and textile firm de Gournay doesn’t mess around when it comes to chinoiserie. These bespoke papers can cost thousands of dollars and rightfully so as artisans spend countless hours hand painting just one panel with an attention to detail that will blow your mind. The design shown here is a new design collaboration with fashion label Aquazurra.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly way to get a similar look, Jenny Komeda of Little Green Notebook does a fabulous DIY version for a fraction of the cost without sacrificing style.

Still on the fence about chinoiserie or unsure of how to incorporate it with other styles of furnishings in your home? Look no further than mix master and designer Summer Thornton, who pairs a hot pink Parsons-style daybed among eclectic furnishings such as a chic white and blue garden stool, a boho peacock chair, and Ming-style stools, finishing the space off by painting the built-in a dramatic inky hue. In the adjoining dining room, faux-bamboo dining chairs huddle around a Eero Saarinen dining table that comfortably showcases a collection of chinoiserie pottery.

A lacquered red chair tucked into a corner of a home designed by Schuyler Samperton hints at the hues in the chinoiserie panel behind it, where sweet flora and fauna steal the scene.

It’s pretty hard to complete with a clawfoot bathtub, but in this soft and ethereal bathroom via Luxe Interiors + Design, artist Gabrielle McKenna’s chinoiserie scene steals the show.

Does it get any better than this bed? A gold and black pagoda bed tucked against an equally striking wallcovering (the room was dreamed by up designer Benjamin Dhong) has easily transported me to a far off place with just one glance.

Mint green trelliswork swathes the walls where simple furnishings such as an adorable chinoiserie bench tucked against the window and an all-white tropical chandelier add to the character and charm of this stunning entry by Amanda Lindroth, from House Beautiful.

Here, I put together a handful of great chinoiserie-style decor, from subtle touches like throw pillows and finials to the bold look of wallpaper. Click through to check them all out: