– Being a bit taller I’ve never had the shower head at the proper height. Finally I had an “of course” moment, and picked up a suction cup shower head holder. Finally I can have showers at the height I want.
– Another shower one, using a squeegee to wipe the walls and floor every time has almost completely removed the mold in the shower room. 100 yen, and maybe 30 seconds of work every time.
– I find a lot more dust ends up in the house here than back home. Getting an air purifier has really cut down on the dust here.
– A few years ago I picked up a stand freezer. It’s been great for keeping frozen food, and things that just won’t fit in the fridge. Costco trips are much better without having to worry about what will fit. And it had definitely saved me money over time.
By sauce and spices from 100 yen shops, a single person doesn’t need a full bottle of tonkatsu sauce.
Just know that there are loads of varieties of both chicken & rice and pork & rice. You can be still be creative with a small kitchen. All it takes is some simple research to bring the best of South America, South Asia, and South-East Asia to your table and your bento.
Daiso sells this really elastic clay that you can use around the pipe under your sinks, it can really help reduce the number of cockroaches.
Stackable trash/recycling boxes.
Covering my windows with a layer of bubble wrap (it’s even better if you do two…). It’s helped keep my heating (in winter) and cooling (in summer) bills noticeably lower than before I did it.
I picked up a large roll from a hardware shop, and just used double-sided tape.
I feel like you have two options:
1. Live a minimalist lifestyle to keep what you own minimized. Keeping things minimize will make your space feel more open and not cluttered. 2. Maximize the space you have. Don’t let empty spaces go to waste. Buy storage furniture that uses the height in your home. There are a variety of tools to use to store or organize things in spaces (for example, things that stick or attach to cabinets, fridge, washer, walls or go to the side or behind your stove area)
Both are two different challenges and depends on what you want. Sometimes you have to find a balance between the two. Even walking around Nitori or Ikea can help inspire you on how you can maximize your space. There are other shops like Caiinz or even the cheap shops like Daiso have some things. You can also look online at Amazon or Rakuten.
All storage being off the floors and going upwards not across. For example: hooks, racks, holders, shelving etc. on doors or walls. Kitchen shelving mounted underneath those impossibly high cupboards. Tension pole shelves over the toilet. Sticky or magnetic holders in the shower room for all toiletries. Putting a pole in the closet for clothes hangers.
Everything being boxed away in containers or baskets. Like inside drawers, underneath the sink, in closets.
Vaccum pack your seasonal clothes and bedding.
In general, having less furniture and making the floor comfy enough to flop around on. Sponge mats, soft rugs, floor chairs, kotatsu. Don’t buy stand alone shelving or tables you don’t need them and it just encourages you to stack crap on it.
8 comments
For me:
– Being a bit taller I’ve never had the shower head at the proper height. Finally I had an “of course” moment, and picked up a suction cup shower head holder. Finally I can have showers at the height I want.
– Another shower one, using a squeegee to wipe the walls and floor every time has almost completely removed the mold in the shower room. 100 yen, and maybe 30 seconds of work every time.
– I find a lot more dust ends up in the house here than back home. Getting an air purifier has really cut down on the dust here.
– A few years ago I picked up a stand freezer. It’s been great for keeping frozen food, and things that just won’t fit in the fridge. Costco trips are much better without having to worry about what will fit. And it had definitely saved me money over time.
By sauce and spices from 100 yen shops, a single person doesn’t need a full bottle of tonkatsu sauce.
Just know that there are loads of varieties of both chicken & rice and pork & rice. You can be still be creative with a small kitchen. All it takes is some simple research to bring the best of South America, South Asia, and South-East Asia to your table and your bento.
Daiso sells this really elastic clay that you can use around the pipe under your sinks, it can really help reduce the number of cockroaches.
Stackable trash/recycling boxes.
Covering my windows with a layer of bubble wrap (it’s even better if you do two…). It’s helped keep my heating (in winter) and cooling (in summer) bills noticeably lower than before I did it.
[How to bubble wrap windows](https://dengarden.com/home-improvement/How-to-Bubble-Wrap-Windows)
I picked up a large roll from a hardware shop, and just used double-sided tape.
I feel like you have two options:
1. Live a minimalist lifestyle to keep what you own minimized. Keeping things minimize will make your space feel more open and not cluttered.
2. Maximize the space you have. Don’t let empty spaces go to waste. Buy storage furniture that uses the height in your home. There are a variety of tools to use to store or organize things in spaces (for example, things that stick or attach to cabinets, fridge, washer, walls or go to the side or behind your stove area)
Both are two different challenges and depends on what you want. Sometimes you have to find a balance between the two. Even walking around Nitori or Ikea can help inspire you on how you can maximize your space. There are other shops like Caiinz or even the cheap shops like Daiso have some things. You can also look online at Amazon or Rakuten.
All storage being off the floors and going upwards not across. For example: hooks, racks, holders, shelving etc. on doors or walls. Kitchen shelving mounted underneath those impossibly high cupboards. Tension pole shelves over the toilet. Sticky or magnetic holders in the shower room for all toiletries. Putting a pole in the closet for clothes hangers.
Everything being boxed away in containers or baskets. Like inside drawers, underneath the sink, in closets.
Vaccum pack your seasonal clothes and bedding.
In general, having less furniture and making the floor comfy enough to flop around on. Sponge mats, soft rugs, floor chairs, kotatsu. Don’t buy stand alone shelving or tables you don’t need them and it just encourages you to stack crap on it.