Wondering how to decorate a cramped kitchen or small office? We’ve got some tips for you!

Whether it’s a bathroom or a tiny bedroom, decorating small rooms can be a challenge. Living in Japan, you probably have at least one small room in your house. If you live in a studio apartment, your entire place might be one tiny room. It’s easy to put too many trinkets or knick-knacks in a small space and make it feel cluttered and cramped. Given how little space there is, you might consider not decorating a closet-sized room at all. Don’t be tempted to leave your small rooms bare just because it’s hard to decorate them. The tips below will help you make the most of small rooms and turn them into visually appealing spaces. 

Think about adopting a minimalist aesthetic 

Taking a “less is more” approach to decorating can help you avoid making small rooms feel even more cramped. Minimalist designs can help you feel calmer and more clear-headed in a room. Additionally, it’s easier to clean and organize rooms that you’ve decorated minimally. There are fewer things to dust and move around. Furthermore, you can choose to invest in higher quality pieces of art and decorations when you only purchase a few. Both economical and classy, minimalist approaches to decorating can truly elevate a space. While it’s not for everyone (and maybe not for every room), a minimalist aesthetic may be the best thing for the small spaces in your home. 

Even if you aren’t into minimalism, neutral colors are better 

Bright, eye-catching colors can get a bit crazy looking in small spaces. There just isn’t enough room for all that sensory input. Neutral colors, like beige and cream, look much simpler and calmer. If you don’t care for brown tones, light pinks, sage greens, and navy have neutral characteristics. Like minimalist aesthetics, neutral colors can make a room look bigger. Find a neutral color palette you like and avoid crowding your small room with vivid colors. 

But don’t be afraid to add some color

Too many brightly colored items can start to look crazy in a small space. However, a pop of color or two can add some life to a room. One great way to add some color to a room is by displaying some flowers, whether in a potted plant or in a vase. If the small space you’re decorating is a living room, consider adding a couple colorful pillows or a vivid throw blanket. Light up your room with a well placed vibrant object. It’ll add some warm energy to the room and bring a smile to your face. 

Buy small pieces of art and put photos in small frames 

You don’t have much space on the wall in small rooms. Use them to display smaller pieces of art. If you want to put up photos, get small prints and frames to fit them. Pieces of art that would look comically small on your living room walls can look amazing in your bathroom. One key aspect of decorating is making sure everything is to scale – that the size of each object works well with the size of the room and other objects in it. Small rooms call for art and photos in small frames. Don’t crowd them with massive paintings. 

Don’t be afraid of visual storage

Typically, there isn’t too much hidden storage in small rooms. Don’t be afraid of storing things out in the open. As long as your items are organized, there’s no need to tuck everything out of sight. Your everyday belongings can add character to your home in their own way. That being said, you might want to dedicate some space in your small bathroom to store some things privately. While it’s okay to store dishes, books, and even clothes in plain sight, there are probably a few things you want to prevent your guests from seeing. 

Consider smaller pieces of furniture 

You probably won’t need to buy any furniture for a tiny bathroom. However, if you need to furnish a small living room, office, or bedroom, we advise taking some time to think about the size of the pieces you’re buying. So long as you don’t plan on having anyone sleep on it, a small sofa or couch may be the best purchase for your living room. Likewise, not everyone needs a double bed. Many single people in Japan sleep in twin beds even if they’re adults with their own apartments. This is because smaller pieces of furniture leave more open space and make rooms feel bigger. Think carefully about the size of your furniture before you purchase it.