Need space to comfortably work from home? With our work life becoming part of our home life, you may not have the luxury of space to have a proper workstation. Substituting the coffee table in the living room and transforming the the dining room into a classroom for the kids may have to suffice. However, these may not be the most comfortable arrangements.
The Japanese are ahead of us when it comes to maximising space. As they have to deal with frequent earthquakes, their traditional houses are filled with portable, light and multi-functional design elements. The main feature of a traditional Japanese house is an open room without a specific function called the washitsu, meaning “Japanese room”.

Washitsu’s function depends on what occupant needs. Its default state is an empty space with tatami flooring, sliding shoji doors and maybe a tokonoma, or an alcove to display ornamental or precious things like a potted bonsai or ikebana arrangements. This philosophy seems particularly relevant to our times.
Taking inspiration from the washitsu, here are 15 Japanese-inspired products to maximise space and style in a small HDB flat:
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1. Portable Pieces
Consider loose and compact furniture pieces that can be stowed away or collapsed to clear the room for the next activity.
A Japanese take on the bean bag sofa.
$169 for the sofa and $49 for the knitted cover.
A classic Scandinavian chair reimagined with the compact Japanese spatial proportion.
From P5 Studio, price by request.
Address: P5 Studio, 213 Henderson Road, #01-08 Henderson Industrial Park, Singapore 159553, Tel: 6771 9500.
Made with genuine tatami from Japan, it can be used in nine different ways and stowed away neatly when not in use.
From $1,175.
Address: Tatami Shop, 235 East Coast Road, Singapore 428929, Tel: 6336 6018.
2. Convertible Systems
Opt for furniture systems that can be expanded in size or converted into other functions, like a work desk that flips into a bed, or a retractable dining table.
An ingenious Swiss-technology pocket kitchen that requires only 1.54 square metres to function.
From €4,600 (S$7,080), from www.kitchoo.com.
A desk that transforms into a bed, instantly converting a home office into a bedroom.
At $3,900, from www.spaceman.com.
Address: 65 McNair Road, Singapore 328546, Tel: 6527 2271.
A cosy workstation that flips into a bed frame with a complementary mattress.
At $2,599, from www.ti-furniture.com.sg.
Address: Ti Furniture 1100, #02-02A Lower Delta Road, Epl Building, Singapore 169206. Tel: 9324 5243.
A 2.9-metre dining table that can be retracted into a 40cm-wide console when not in use.

From $2,888, from www.spaceman.com.
Address: 65 McNair Road, Singapore 328546, Tel: 6527 2271.
3. Access to Air, Light and View
Consider sliding doors to let natural light and air in. If privacy is needed, or the view is less than ideal, use screens and partition. Don’t forget the artificial lighting to set the mood.
Authentic sliding shoji made to order in Japan.
Price by request, available from www.tatamishop.com.
Address: Tatami Shop, 235 East Coast Road, Singapore 428929, Tel: 6336 6018.
Add a little industrial touch with this modernist piece designed by Yabu Pushelberg.
Price by request, from www.p5studio.com.sg.
Address: P5 Studio, 213 Henderson Road, #01-08 Henderson Industrial Park, Singapore 159553, Tel: 6771 9500
Featuring six 25-mm-thick plywood panels with stainless steel edges etched with an exquisite motif on both sides, design by luxury fashion house Christian Lacroix for French brand Roche Bobois. Each side features a different design.
At $19,800 from Roche Bobois Singapore.
Address: Roche Bobois, 75 Bukit Timah Road, #01-02 Boon Siew Building, Singapore 229833, Tel: 6513 1918
The transformative nature of The New Old Divider allows the user to easily maintain a sense of freshness in any space through varying configurations of the paper fan.
Price by request, from www.kimudesign.com.
Reminiscent of Japanese lanterns, Cestita Batería is equipped with a rechargeable lithium battery and built-in LED unit, making it a convenient and atmospheric source of light at home or in places with no electricity.
Price by request, from www.watelier.com.
Address: W.Atelier, 201 Henderson Rd, #03-01, Singapore 159545, Tel: 6270 8828
4. Add a Dash of Fancy
Most Japanese living rooms are designed with a tokonoma (alcove) to display precious things. Consider a modern interpretation of a place to display your most precious objects like these:
Featuring a built-in screen that casts a playful shadow when you put a light inside.
From $8,505, from www.p5studio.com.sg.
Address: P5 Studio, 213 Henderson Road, #01-08 Henderson Industrial Park, Singapore 159553, Tel: 6771 9500.
The Jaime-Hayon-designed vases interpret Ikebana for modern times.
Both a lamp and a small display table, this lamp features embedded light strips that illuminates your tabletop and a place to display your small precious objects, just like a tokonoma.
Price by request, from www.watelier.com.
Address: W.Atelier, 201 Henderson Rd, #03-01, Singapore 159545, Tel: 6270 8828.
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Text: Asih Jenie/Home and Decor
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