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Minimalist Living for Urban Dwellers: How to Make Your Apartment Feel More Spacious
2026.01.22
Minimalist living—surrounding yourself only with what you truly need—is a rational lifestyle that has been gaining popularity among younger generations. Why not try incorporating minimalism into your life at a comfortable pace and aim for a simple, pleasant way of living?
In this article, we introduce the benefits of a minimalist lifestyle, practical tips for reducing belongings, and ideas for making rental homes feel more spacious.
Benefits of a Minimalist Lifestyle
Living without accumulating unnecessary items offers more advantages than you might expect, which is why more people are adopting this approach. Let’s start by looking at the benefits of minimalist living.
・A Lighter State of Mind
With fewer belongings, rooms are less likely to become cluttered, freeing you from the stress of thinking, “I need to clean up.” When there is less visual information, the brain receives fewer stimuli, helping you achieve a calmer and more peaceful state of mind.
・Saving Time and Effort
With fewer items, it’s easier to find what you need, and cleaning can be done quickly. Reducing the burden of housework gives you more time to spend on yourself.
・Less Wasteful Spending
When you develop the habit of choosing only what you truly need, impulse purchases and unnecessary shopping naturally decrease. You also begin to value using high-quality items for a long time, which leads to savings and greater financial stability.
・A More Spacious and Comfortable Living Area
Even in a small room, reducing belongings eliminates a sense of overcrowding and greatly improves comfort. By carefully selecting furniture and interior items, your home can become a place you truly love.
・Improved Decision-Making Skills
Minimalist living encourages you to constantly think about what is essential to you. This helps sharpen your judgment, makes it easier to prioritize, and reduces indecision in everyday life.
Tips and Steps for Reducing Your Belongings
Even if you want to declutter or live more lightly, you may not know where to start. Here are clear, practical steps to help you reduce your belongings effectively.
Step ① Get Rid of Unnecessary Items
Start by sorting items into essentials and non-essentials. If you’re unsure, consider when you last used the item.
For example, if you haven’t used something in over a year, there’s a high chance you won’t use it in the future—so it’s best to let it go. Broken or deteriorated items should be discarded immediately, while items still in good condition can be given to others or sold via flea market apps.
Step ② Decide Storage Locations and Set Limits
Make sure every item you keep has a designated place, and avoid owning more than what fits in that space. Rather than increasing storage, reduce belongings to match your storage capacity to maintain a consistently tidy environment.
Step ③ Review Regularly
Belongings tend to increase without notice, so develop a habit of reviewing them regularly. For items used infrequently, consider renting instead of buying, or try to substitute with what you already own. Having the mindset of not purchasing new items unnecessarily is also important.
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Ideas for Living More Spaciously in a Rental
Even rentals with limited layouts and storage can feel larger and more open with the right ideas. Here are some practical ways to make your rental feel more spacious.
・Use Low Furniture to Reduce Visual Pressure
Tall furniture can block sightlines and create a sense of confinement. Choosing lower furniture creates visual openness and wall space, making the room feel larger.
・Make Use of Multi-Functional Furniture
In limited spaces, furniture that serves multiple purposes is highly effective. Beds with storage, tables with built-in vanities, sofa beds, or extendable tables that adjust to the number of users can reduce the need for extra furniture and keep the room looking neat and organized.
・Balance Hidden and Display Storage
To use space effectively, incorporate some open or “display” storage instead of hiding everything away. Display hobby collections or stylish items on open shelves, while storing everyday necessities out of sight. This balance prevents the space from feeling either cluttered or too bare, creating a stylish yet livable interior.
Conclusion
By incorporating ideas that make a rental feel more spacious, your current home can become a far more comfortable place to live. If you feel cramped in your rental, we hope these tips help you create a more pleasant living environment.
To achieve a comfortable lifestyle in a rental, factors beyond just room size are also important. At Land Housing, a real estate agency in Suginami, we are dedicated to helping you find the property that best suits your ideal lifestyle. If you are considering moving within the Suginami area, please feel free to contact us.
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