Bringing in Furniture and Appliances and Arrangement Techniques—Tips for Using Small Rooms Broadly and Reducing a Sense of Confinement

Why Rental Rooms Feel Cramped: 3 Main Reasons

Japanese rental properties have limited space. When moving into a studio (20–25 sqm) or 1K apartment (25–30 sqm), many tenants think, "It's narrower than I expected." There are three reasons for this feeling.

1. Furniture is too large: Large furniture from your previous place gets moved in as-is
2. The layout is inefficient: Furniture is arranged without considering traffic flow
3. Visual clutter: Mismatched colors and materials make the space feel even smaller

By improving just these three aspects, the same space can feel 20–30% larger. For more details on room types, check 1K, 1DK, and 1LDK Differences and Tatami/Square Meter Conversion Guide, which will help you choose furniture before moving in.

Optimal Layouts by Room Type

Studio Apartment (20–25 sqm)

A studio should only include three essential items: bed, table, and TV. Everything else is secondary.

Bed Placement

• •Place against a wall where it's not visible from the entrance (so guests can't see it)
• •Leave 30cm from both side walls (one serves as a pathway)
• •Use pull-out storage drawers under the bed

Living Area

• •Position the table 1m from the foot of the bed (so you can stretch your legs)
• •Avoid a two-seater sofa; instead choose a single-seat chair + ottoman (easier to rearrange)
• •Place the TV diagonally across from the table, with at least 2m viewing distance

Space Optimization

• •Install wall storage racks with tension rods (doesn't take up floor space)
• •Hang a collapsible clothing rack from the curtain rod (solves closet shortage)
• •Check that furniture doesn't block the door when opened (verify traffic flow)

1K Apartment (25–30 sqm)

Since the kitchen is separate, you'll create your living space in the bedroom area (15–20 sqm).

Kitchen Area (2–3 sqm)

• •Fix the refrigerator to the right of the entrance (shorter traffic flow)
• •Organize cooking utensils in storage boxes under the sink
• •Use a compact side table for cooking (avoid a large cooking counter)

Bedroom Area (15–18 sqm)

• •Bed: Against a wall, 2m deep, positioned diagonally from the entrance
• •Table: In the center of the living space (compact size, around 1 sqm)
• •Shelving: Use all three walls (doesn't take up floor space)
• •Closet: Double-stack with hanging bars and shelf boxes

1DK Apartment (35–45 sqm)

With a separate bedroom (6–8 sqm) and dining-kitchen (15–20 sqm), you can separate sleeping and eating areas.

Bedroom

• •Bed: Takes up about 50% of the room (prioritize traffic flow)
• •Small chest of drawers for clothing at the foot of the bed
• •Desk: Not needed (work in the living area instead)

Dining-Kitchen

• •Dining table: Place near the kitchen
• •Sofa: Small-sized, facing the table
• •TV rack: Wall-mounted (doesn't take up floor space)

Interior Design Tricks to Make Small Rooms Feel Larger

Color Selection Principles

• •Keep the floor, walls, and furniture to 3 colors: Combine wood tones (beige) + gray + white
• •Avoid dark colors: Black, dark gray, and dark brown shrink the space
• •Choose light-colored rugs: Avoid deep green and navy; select cream or light gray
• •Match curtains to wall color: This visually expands the space

Material Cohesion

• •Floor visibility: Rooms with only solid-base furniture feel cramped. Prioritize furniture with long legs (sofas, tables)
• •Material consistency: Create unity by mixing wood tables + rattan-style racks + fabric rugs
• •Plastic and metal balance: If metal feels too cold, insert a wooden rack in between

Height Layout

• •Avoid furniture taller than eye level: TV stands and racks should be below eye height
• •Create empty space ahead: Intentionally leave the wall you see from the entrance clear
• •Don't fill shelves completely: Aim for 50–60% fullness to create a sense of openness

Appliance Placement Order

Kitchen Area

Tip: Check water and outlet locations; avoid plugging multiple appliances into the same outlet.

Living Area

Choosing Furniture to Increase Storage

Storage That Doesn't Take Up Floor Space

Wall Utilization

• •Tension rod racks (Diawall style): ¥5,000–¥15,000 per unit
• •Drywall hooks: ¥500–¥2,000 each
• •Pegboards (Kabe Bijin): ¥3,000–¥8,000 per unit

Ceiling Utilization

• •Tension rod hanging rack: ¥3,000–¥10,000
• •Curtain rod hanging style: ¥1,000–¥3,000
• •Loft bed (bed + under-bed storage combo): ¥30,000–¥80,000

Furniture That Minimizes Floor Space Use

Tall-leg furniture

• •Low table (legs 20cm or higher): ¥3,000–¥10,000
• •Wheeled cart (easy to pull out): ¥2,000–¥8,000
• •Stackable chairs (stack for storage): ¥1,000–¥5,000

Multi-function furniture

• •Under-bed storage drawers: ¥5,000–¥15,000
• •Table + storage box combo: ¥8,000–¥20,000
• •Sofa bed (converts to bed for guests): ¥15,000–¥50,000

Moving Day Furniture Selection Checklist

Before bringing items into your new rental, use this checklist to decide. For detailed moving timelines, see Complete Moving Checklist—reviewing it together will make things smoother.

• •[ ] Categorize each piece as "essential," "nice to have," or "unnecessary" for your new home
• •[ ] Measure width, depth, and height; confirm it fits through doors, hallways, and into rooms
• •[ ] Decide whether to replace the three largest furniture pieces (bed, sofa, table) with appropriately sized versions for your new space
• •[ ] Check with your landlord whether wooden furniture (shelves, desks) is prohibited. If you're planning wall-mounted storage, review DIY and Restoration-to-Original-Condition Rules in Rentals beforehand for peace of mind

Summary

To make a small rental space feel larger, three things are key: ① limit furniture to the three essentials, ② unify colors and materials, and ③ use walls and ceilings to avoid taking up floor space. By designing the optimal layout for your room type (studio, 1K, or 1DK) and applying interior design tricks to expand the visual space, you can create a comfortable living environment even in limited quarters.