Feel the urge to fix up your space a little using an East-Meets-West theme, but don't want to overwhelm your room with Asian decor, strong colors, and clutter?

It might seem overwhelming, but it's not an exercise in futility, I promise.

What gives me the ability to make such a promise?

Meditate for a moment on the Japanese style of decor. Before I got "into" Asian decor, My friend stopped by with her British nanny (how cliche!) who observed that my place was "practically Japanese". I had to ask her what she meant. What she was referring to was not actually any Asian decoration I had (or didn't have), but the reality that my house was so.....naked. But, hey, I had just moved in a few days before that!

But tada!....the secret to a simple Asian home decor. The Japanese keep it simple, so you can just take a lesson from them.

First thing's first: to get on your way is go get a big box and remove all of your clutter. Pack away what you can, homing in on items that can't fit into an Asian design.

When you choose to leave an item, make sure that everything has its own "space". Unless the item is a part of a set, each item should have breathing room distant from other items to keep the area seeming uncrowded.

Now, you should corral some Asian items to decorate with. What I advise:

* Houseplants - If you don't have a green thumb, or don't have the best situation for houseplants ("Oh, honey, you'll LOVE this apartment with no windows!"), you can always get fake plants. Of course, usually when one thinks of "houseplant" and "asian" is to think "bonsai!", but you don't have to place tiny trees everywhere. Why not try an Asian money tree or if you like fresh flowers, an oriental lily? Remember to count the plant as a decoration and thus give it its own "space" as mentioned above.

* Water fountains - Water fountains are a very traditional feng shui item. Not only are they beautiful, their tranquil flow melts away all the worries of your day. A few drops of bleach in the water will kill the bacteria and algae that can turn a water green and stinky.

* Japanese Tea Sets/Sake Sets - Great at adorning a kitchen or dining area, even if you don't drink tea or sake. (Dust them off to fool guests!) They can be found in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and patterns, anything from nice earthy tones to a bold blacks and reds.

* Chinese Gongs - You don't need a monstrous one sitting in your room... These gongs come in small sizes too, perfect for a desk, end table, or even at that perfect mantle centerpiece.

* Figurines - Buddha figurines are very universal in Asian decor, but if you're needing something more secular, Asian figurines come in all shapes and sizes.

Remember the infamous KISS saying: Keep It Simple, Stupid!; you only really need around four items to bring an Asian feel to any room, and the simpler you keep the room, the more each of those items will speak out.

It really is that simple....you too can bring Asian beauty to any room.