Small space · list
Rental furniture makeover, a ¥1,500 list
No knocking down walls, no structural changes, and you have to restore it when you leave. This list only buys things you can take with you and that earn their place.
Three rules first: only buy what moves with you; don't damage anything (no-mark, no-nail, removable); and spend on the floor, the lighting and the textiles. Those three decide whether a room "looks expensive," and all of them travel.
Shopping list
Ordered by impact; about ¥1,400 total, leaving a little slack.
| Item | Ref. price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral jute rug | ¥200 | Hides an ugly floor and sets the whole-room tone; just roll it up when you move |
| Warm-light floor lamp | ¥150 | Replaces the harsh ceiling light; the evening mood rides on it |
| Blackout curtains | ¥180 | No-drill rod; solves sleep and texture at once |
| Fabric lounge chair / beanbag | ¥400 | A corner to flop into; the living room instantly feels like home |
| 2 plants + ceramic pots | ¥120 | The cheapest "lived-in" feeling; skip the fakes |
| 4 under-bed storage boxes | ¥100 | Hide clutter under the bed; small spaces win by hiding |
| Rolling cart | ¥120 | Works in the kitchen, bedside or bathroom |
| No-mark hooks + shelf | ¥80 | On the wall without holes; no deposit lost at move-out |
| Tablecloth / placemat | ¥50 | Covers a cheap tabletop; swap the color by season |
A few tips that stretch the money
- Hold to two or three colors. Pick one neutral family for rug, curtains and textiles and the room snaps together.
- Don't rely on the ceiling light alone. A floor lamp plus a small desk lamp; turn off the ceiling light at night and a rental turns cozy.
- Hide what you can. Small spaces look messy not because there's a lot, but because it's all on show.