Asian style turns a living room or bedroom into a calm space. No clutter, no garish colours: mineral, plant-inspired, graphic. Whether you are drawn to zen Japan, imperial China or contemporary japandi, here are 5 directions that really work in your home.
For each one: the type of room where it works, the furniture to pair it with, and the pitfall to avoid so you don’t end up with a Chinese-restaurant look.
1. Cherry blossom: Japanese romanticism
It is a very well-known Asian design. A cherry tree in bloom (sakura) covered in pale pink or white petals, in a watercolour or photographic composition.
Who it suits:
- Calm bedrooms with a romantic mood
- Bright living rooms with Scandinavian furniture
- Rooms where you want softness without overdoing it
- Decor with linen, light wood and ceramics
How to avoid cliché:
Avoid the over-saturated version (flashy pink, contrasting black background). Japanese-style sakura stays subtle: light petals, a cream or beige background, a stylised branch. It is that lightness that creates the zen effect.
To combine with:
- Ecru or cream linen (curtains, throw)
- Light wood or driftwood (bedside table, shelves)
- Handmade Japanese ceramics, terracotta
- A rice paper lamp, as an accent
Available in the Asia & Orient collection from Novomur.
2. Hokusai and great waves: iconic Japanese art
Hokusai’s famous Wave (or its stylised variations) has become a worldwide classic. Across a whole wall the effect is striking: graphic, dynamic, instantly recognisable.
Who it suits:
- Modern living rooms or home offices that embrace a statement decor
- Rooms with good light (deep blue needs light to stay legible)
- Clean-lined japandi decor (a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian)
- People who want a wall with real cultural identity
Avoid:
- Small living rooms where the design becomes overwhelming
- Decor that already has a lot of blue (the effect gets diluted)
- Walls broken up too much by windows
The technical detail:
On a large-format Hokusai, print resolution is crucial. The graphic details of the wave (foam, curves) must stay sharp from 2 m away. The Asia & Orient designs in the Novomur collection are prepared for large-format printing.
Price: from 29,90 €/m² in smooth non-woven.
3. Bamboo: oriental minimalism
Bamboo as a graphic design (fine verticals, a palette of tender green, deep green or gold on black) brings a structured plant presence. It is an easy design to pair: it fits into almost any interior without dominating.
Who it suits:
- Japandi living rooms or home offices
- Narrow corridors (the vertical design visually enlarges the space)
- Dining rooms that want a touch of zen
- Headboard wall in a minimalist bedroom
Variations:
- Sage green bamboo on a cream background: soft and calming
- Gold-on-Black Bamboo: chic, almost art deco, suited to an accent wall
- Deep Green Bamboo on a stone background: a Japanese garden effect
How not to overdo it:
Bamboo needs just one wall treated, not 4. Keep it for the main wall of the room. If your curtains already have a pattern, bamboo becomes too much. Keep the rest of the room calm.
4. Chinese ink and mountains: contemplation
Mountain landscapes in Chinese ink (sumi-e) or compositions inspired by traditional Chinese art create a deeply contemplative effect. Mist, stylised peaks, lone trees in the void.
Who it suits:
- Mature living rooms with an ‘architect’s home’ feel
- Home offices or libraries (an effect that helps concentration)
- Calm bedrooms
- Decor with dark wood furniture (walnut, smoked oak)
To combine with:
- Dark or charcoal-grey furniture
- Touches of brass or bronze
- Black or grey ceramics
- Understated plants (potted bamboo, kentia)
The main pitfall:
On a Chinese ink design, the rendering of the greys is essential. A print that flattens the gradients looks flat and loses all its depth. Order a 3 € sample before going large-format to check the print quality under your own lighting.
5. Japandi: Japanese meets Scandinavian
Japandi is a very popular decor trend. A blend of Japanese restraint and Scandinavian comfort: a neutral palette, clean lines, natural materials.
Who it suits:
- Modern living rooms that want calm
- Small spaces (japandi visually enlarges them)
- Couples without children or young urban parents
- Decor that mixes linen, light wood and matt ceramics
The japandi designs that work:
- Abstract compositions in neutral tones (beige, sand, cream)
- Isolated tree branches in silhouette
- Soft mineral textures (slate, plaster, sand)
- Eucalyptus, fine foliage in muted tones
How to recognise it:
No saturated colour, no busy design, no flashy gold. Japandi is all about restraint. If you are torn between two designs, choose the less busy one.
Why made to measure changes everything for an Asian design
Asian designs have one thing in common: the composition. A Hokusai wave has a centre, a cherry tree has a main branch, a Chinese ink landscape has a horizon. On a classic roll of wallpaper, these elements end up cut in the wrong place.
With Novomur made to measure:
- Centred crop on your exact dimensions
- No pattern matching to line up yourself
- You choose the crop on the product page, before ordering
You avoid the ‘the character’s face is cut in half by a panel join’ effect.
How much does a Novomur Asian wall mural cost?
The price is calculated per m², based on the exact dimensions you enter in the configurator: 29,90 €/m² for smooth non-woven, 34,90 €/m² for textured non-woven, 39,90 €/m² for self-adhesive non-woven. The total amount is shown in the summary, before payment. Tracked delivery, free across the EU, within 7–15 working days.
The three finishes (all printed on matt non-woven):
- Smooth non-woven (29,90 €/m²): a faithful rendering of the artwork, pasted hanging. The standard option.
- Textured non-woven (34,90 €/m²): a slight relief that gives the pattern some texture.
- Self-adhesive non-woven (39,90 €/m²): paste-free hanging, repositionable while you hang it, on a smooth, clean, dry wall. An option for tenants: removal depends on the condition of the wall.
Before ordering, the 30 × 20 cm sample for 3 € is available in all three finishes: a made-to-measure wall mural cannot be returned or exchanged because you have changed your mind or made an error in the measurements, in line with Article L221-28 (3) of the French Consumer Code (Code de la consommation); the statutory guarantee of conformity still applies.
Which material should you choose for an Asian wall mural?
Three finishes are available in the Novomur configurator:
- Smooth non-woven: matt finish, the standard for most projects
- Textured non-woven: visible grain reminiscent of traditional rice paper, particularly well suited to sumi-e
- Self-adhesive: paste-free hanging, repositionable while you hang it. An option for tenants: removal depends on the condition of the wall.
Important: a made-to-measure wall mural cannot be returned or exchanged because you have changed your mind or made an error in the measurements. That is precisely why you choose the crop yourself on the product page and check your dimensions before ordering. The AI visualisation and the 3 € sample are your two safety nets before you order.
Renting and want an Asian wall?
Novomur’s self-adhesive material is compatible with all Asia & Orient designs. It goes on without paste or water; removal depends on the condition of the wall and the paint.
For renters, here is what answers the main concerns:
- Removal depends on the condition of the wall and the paint: test before hanging
- Hanging with no hammer or paste, repositionable while you hang it
- The option to test first with the 3 € self-adhesive sample
Before hanging, test on 10 cm × 10 cm behind a piece of furniture. If the wall paint can take being peeled off, you can go to the large format.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Asian wall mural cost at Novomur?
From 29,90 €/m² incl. VAT, whichever design you choose (cherry tree, Hokusai, bamboo, Chinese ink, japandi). The exact price is shown in real time in the configurator.
Which Asian design should you choose for a bedroom?
Cherry blossom and japandi are the two directions that work most reliably in a bedroom. Avoid designs that are too graphic or high-contrast (Hokusai’s great wave), which energise the space too much for a room meant for rest.
Is an Asian wall mural suitable for a rented home?
Yes, by choosing Novomur’s self-adhesive material. It goes on without paste; removal depends on the condition of the wall and the paint. Test a discreet area first before hanging the whole mural.
Which material for a Hokusai or cherry blossom wall mural?
Smooth non-woven works for most projects. For a more authentic look inspired by traditional rice paper, choose textured non-woven. If you are renting, the self-adhesive option is compatible with every design.
How can I be sure how an Asian design will look before ordering?
The Novomur configurator includes an AI visualisation that projects the pattern onto your actual wall. You can also order a physical sample for 3 € to check the fineness of the details, the depth of the shades and how it looks under your lighting.
How long does it take to receive a Novomur Asian wall mural?
7–15 working days across the EU, with tracked delivery. Delivery is free.
Ready to see your Asian wall on your photo?
The Novomur configurator shows the pattern projected onto your wall before purchase, calculates the exact price in real time and lets you order a 3 € sample if you want to test before you commit.
A question before you order? The Novomur team replies Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm (Paris time), by email at contact@novomur.com.
To find out more, read our complete guide to made-to-measure wall murals and our 7 living room ideas.
