16x16 is a very small small amount of space for creating anything with detail. This is the size of favicons you see at the top of your browser window. You will notice how simplistic the icons are.

Here are some ideas to think about

• 1-2 colors max, if using 2 colors, make sure they contrast like B&W
• Simplified shapes, make sure you use basic shapes to convey your icon and don't use too many.

Take font awesome home icon. The icon uses very basic shapes to convey the image of a home.

• One style that might work for you is designing line-art icons. This technique uses thin lines for all parts of the icon design. If you place lines to close together, then the details might blend together and hard to distinguish.

16x16 is a very small small amount of space for creating anything with detail. This is the size of favicons you see at the top of your browser window. You will notice how simplistic the icons are.

Here are some ideas to think about

• 1-2 colors max, if using 2 colors, make sure they contrast like B&W (This is only a suggestion, you can certainly use more colors. But the more colors you use, the harder it may be to distinguish the different objects.)
• Simplified shapes, make sure you use basic shapes to convey your icon and don't use too many.

Take font awesome home icon. The icon uses very basic shapes to convey the image of a home.

• One style that might work for you is designing line-art icons. This technique uses thin lines for all parts of the icon design. If you place lines to close together, then the details might blend together and hard to distinguish.