Bohemian Decorating Ideas for Small Studio

Justina Blakeney is an interior designer with an incredible home in Los Angeles, but she also had one big problem: she needed her own office.

So when Justina moved into a new 700-sq-ft work studio, we let her take over our Instagram account to teach us a thing or two about decorating small spaces!

See how Justina’s bohemian design came together, and learn her 5 small studio decor Do’s and Dont’s!

1. DON’T compromise.

Know what you want before you sign the lease and don’t compromise! This is especially true for small spaces, which look especially sad when they’re empty.

Justina knew that she wanted high ceilings and good natural light. So even though this studio was only 700-sq-ft, when she found it, she was ready to take the plunge.

2. DO use storage to decorate.

Storage space was an issue, so Justina used a mix of built-in floating shelves, industrial-style bookcases, and a vintage hutch from Mexico that she bought from Craigslist.

Justina painted built-in floating shelves white so they disappeared into the walls, styled-out her bookcases with her awesome collection of textiles + pillows, and painted the hutch pink.

3. DO go vertical.

Use pendant lights instead of floor lamps, and hanging planters instead of heavy pots. That’s how Justina added light + greenery without sacrificing precious floor space.

Adding greenery to a room, no matter how small, is always a good call. Go for tropical house plants if you don’t have a ton of natural light in your home.

4. DON’T be afraid of big furniture.

As long as it’s multi-functional, a large piece of furniture in a studio is nothing to be afraid of.

Justina chose a full dining table because it will be used as a work table, meeting space, and as a prop for tablescape photoshoots.

5. DO your DIY thing.

In a small space, you need to be extra selective about every piece that you choose. So don’t be afraid to customize the decor to create exactly what your space needs!

Justina followed her instincts when she decided to paint the Bentwood Pendant. We’re glad that she did! The colors totally work with Justina’s bohemian jungle vibes.