The appeal and lifestyle of living alone as a minimalist

Living alone as a minimalist is a lifestyle that minimizes the amount of furniture and storage you need, keeping your room tidy and comfortable. Reducing possessions reduces the amount of cleaning and tidying up, and makes daily life smoother. It also allows you to make the most of a limited floor plan, so you can live comfortably in a compact room such as a 6-tatami mat room or a 1K apartment.

In this chapter, we will explain in detail the benefits and comfort of living without possessions, the layout and size suitable for living alone, and how to think about furniture and storage needed when moving.

The benefits and comfort of living without possessions

The biggest benefit of living a minimalist lifestyle is that it allows you to use your rooms more spaciously, making life simpler and more comfortable. By keeping furniture and storage to a bare minimum, you can reduce the time you spend cleaning and tidying up, giving you more space in your daily life. Furthermore, having fewer possessions makes things visually cleaner, and the whole room feels brighter and more open, which helps you relax mentally. Not buying unnecessary things also reduces the burden on your household budget, making moving and redecorating smoother.

When living alone, it is important to use the limited space you have efficiently, and living without possessions is one of the best ways to achieve this. This kind of comfort can improve the quality of your life and can be maintained for a long time.

How to choose the best layout and room size for living alone

Minimalist people living alone can make their lives more comfortable by choosing a floor plan that isn't too spacious. By keeping furniture and storage to a minimum, they can live comfortably in a compact room such as a 6-tatami room, 1K, or 1DK. When choosing a floor plan, it's important to imagine in advance where you'll place the bed, table, and storage furniture, and make sure that the layout allows for a smooth flow of daily life. A 1DK apartment with a separate kitchen makes it easy to separate living spaces, making it ideal for people who love to cook. Storage space and window positioning also directly affect livability.

By choosing a floor plan that makes the most of your limited space, you can reduce the amount of cleaning and tidying up you need to do, and keep your room comfortable and tidy.

Furniture and storage ideas for when moving

When moving, determining what furniture and storage you need is the first step to minimalist living. Start with essentials like a bed and table, and then decide whether you really need other items as you go about your daily life. It's important to choose storage furniture based on the amount of stuff you plan to own, rather than what you have now. Large furniture is difficult to move and rearrange, so light and simple pieces are recommended. Also, if you're living alone, be careful not to accumulate too many things after moving.

By adding items little by little while keeping an eye on the overall balance of the room, you can maintain a neat space and comfortable living environment for a long time.

[Room Tour] Minimalist room examples and layout introduction

The appeal of a minimalist room is its simple layout, which minimizes furniture and storage so that people can live comfortably in a limited space. By carefully selecting only the items necessary for living alone and devising ways to arrange and store them, the room as a whole will appear larger and will be easier to clean.

In this chapter, we will take a look at actual minimalist rooms and introduce in detail furniture arrangement and interior design ideas for the living room, closet storage and clothing management, compact kitchen appliances and storage methods, tips for arranging beds and tables, and even tips for creating a room that is easy to clean.

Living room furniture arrangement and simple interior

A minimalist living room is designed to feel spacious and comfortable by placing only the bare essentials and leaving space open. Sofas and tables are chosen to be compact in size, and placed against the wall rather than in the center of the room to ensure good circulation. For storage furniture, use low shelves and shelving units to create a sense of openness by not blocking the line of sight. Additionally, by unifying the color palette with calming tones such as white, beige, and gray, and adding a few potted plants and accessories as accents, you can create a simple yet warm space.

This layout and interior design makes it easy to live comfortably even if you live alone, and it also makes cleaning and tidying up easy.

Closet storage and how to store clothes

Minimalist closet storage is designed on the premise of "only owning the clothes you need." First, review the clothes you wear for each season and boldly get rid of the ones you don't wear. When storing clothes, clearly separate the clothes you hang on hangers from the ones you store folded, and organize them for easy access. For furniture and storage items, use simple boxes and hangers from MUJI or Nitori, and standardize the colors and shapes to create a neater look. Also, limiting the number of clothes you own will reduce the hassle of coordinating outfits, making your daily life more comfortable.

When you live alone, storage space is limited, so if you adopt the rule of "buy one item, get rid of one item," you can maintain a storage balance throughout your room for a long time.

Compact kitchen appliances and easy-to-use storage methods

The key to a minimalist kitchen is to keep the number of kitchen appliances and utensils to a minimum and arrange them in an easy-to-use manner. Keep only the appliances necessary for living alone, such as a microwave, electric kettle, and compact rice cooker, to keep the cooking space large. For storage, use wall cabinets and wall hooks to hang cooking utensils in visible storage for easy access. Limit the number of dishes to only the necessary number and use the same design to make tidying up easier. Organize the storage under the sink using dividers and boxes, and store cleaning tools together to make it easier to keep things clean.

These kinds of ideas make it possible to live comfortably and efficiently even in a small kitchen.

How to make the most of your room by arranging your bed and table

The placement of beds and tables is important to make limited space appear larger. Placing the bed against the wall and using the space at the foot of the bed for a passageway or storage will make it easier to move around. Choosing a low table or folding table will allow you to put it away when not in use, keeping the room spacious. Also, placing storage boxes under the bed will allow you to efficiently store seasonal items and items that you don't use often. Choose low furniture designs that don't block the line of sight to create a sense of openness.

When creating a minimalist room, furniture placement and height can have a big impact on creating a comfortable and simple space for living alone.

Tips for creating a simple room that's easy to clean

To create a room that is easy to clean, it is effective to avoid placing furniture and storage directly on the floor or to choose furniture with legs. This will make the floor appear larger and make vacuuming and mopping easier. Reducing the amount of stuff you own and keeping only the essentials in the room will help prevent dust and dirt from accumulating. Also, using storage with doors or drawers not only makes the room look neater, but also reduces the effort required to move them when cleaning. Keep wires and cords together along the wall and use cord management products so they don't get in the way when cleaning the floor.

A minimalist's simple room can be kept clean and comfortable for a long time by accumulating these small ideas.

The truly essential furniture, appliances, and daily necessities chosen by minimalists

When living alone as a minimalist, it's important to carefully select the furniture, appliances, and daily necessities in your room, asking yourself, "Are they really necessary?" In order to make effective use of limited space and live comfortably, it's essential to choose items that take into consideration placement, size, and functionality. Place your bed, table, and storage furniture according to the flow of movement and size of the room, and cook efficiently in the kitchen with a minimum of cooking items. Another key point is to choose appliances and convenient items that support your life, while also replacing unnecessary items with substitutes.

In this chapter, we will explain in detail specific examples of necessary items, how to arrange them, and ideas for reducing the amount of things you own.

Recommended placement of beds, tables, and storage furniture

Placing the bed in the corner of the room or against the wall will allow you to make more use of the central space. If you choose a low bed or a bed with legs, you can block out the view and make the room appear larger, and you can also make use of dead space by placing storage boxes underneath. Choosing a low table or a foldable table that can be unfolded only when needed will add flexibility to your life as a single person. It is recommended to use low shelves or cabinets for storage furniture and place them so that they do not block the line of sight.

A furniture layout that does not obstruct the flow of movement in a room directly affects the ease of cleaning and comfort of living. By being conscious of not having too much furniture, you can maintain a simple and comfortable room.

Minimal kitchen items

The basic principle of a minimalist kitchen is to have only the minimum amount of cooking equipment needed for daily cooking. In most cases, the essentials will be enough - one frying pan, one pot, a knife and cutting board, and a measuring cup. In addition, combining small appliances such as a microwave or electric kettle will enable efficient cooking. Limiting the number of dishes to the number of people (basically 1-2 sets) and using a unified design will keep storage neat and tidy. The key to storage is to make use of hanging racks and dividers under the sink, and to keep frequently used items within easy reach.

By reducing the number of items you have, your kitchen will be less cluttered and cleaning will take less time, maintaining a more comfortable cooking environment.

Home appliances and convenient items that support a comfortable life

For minimalists living alone, home appliances and convenient gadgets are essential for improving the quality of life, even if they are just the bare necessities. For example, choosing a lightweight stick vacuum cleaner or a robot vacuum cleaner will make it easier to keep your room clean. Choose a washing machine with a compact capacity, and if it has a drying function, it will also save space. Humidifiers and air purifiers create a comfortable air environment depending on the season and improve the quality of life. We also recommend convenient gadgets that combine storage and functionality, such as cable management systems and foldable ironing boards.

By choosing items that suit your lifestyle without accumulating too many possessions, you can maintain a comfortable and simple life for a long time.

Things you shouldn't keep in your room and how to replace them

When creating a minimalist room, it's also important to determine what items should be avoided. For example, a large sofa will obstruct movement and increase the effort required for cleaning, so try using a low chair or cushion instead. A television takes up space, so replacing it with a computer or tablet will help save space. Large storage shelves also lead to the accumulation of unnecessary items, so it's more efficient to use storage boxes and drawers only for the amount you need. Rugs and carpets are also a hassle to clean, so it's a good idea to leave the floor as is and use small mats as needed.

By adopting these alternative methods, you can keep your room spacious while still achieving a comfortable and simple lifestyle.

Minimalist storage ideas for single people

For minimalist people living alone, creative storage is essential to make the most of a limited space in their home. By carefully selecting only the essentials and minimizing furniture and storage, cleaning and tidying up become easier, and life becomes smoother. In addition, by using closets and shelves, utilizing wall and hanging storage, and finding the right balance between visible and hidden storage, the entire room can appear neat and tidy. It is also important to choose furniture and storage that is easy to clean.

In this chapter, we will introduce practical and stylish storage ideas.

Tips for using closets and shelves and reducing the amount of stuff you own

Closets and shelves are important places for making effective use of the limited storage space when living alone. First, carefully select only the things you need to store and get into the habit of regularly getting rid of things you don't use. It's easier to use your closet if you store off-season clothes and bedding on the top shelf, everyday clothes on the middle shelf, and bags and small items on the bottom shelf. Make use of the height and depth of shelves and organize them by combining storage boxes.

Another tip for reducing possessions is to adopt the "buy one, get rid of one" rule, which will help prevent unnecessary items from accumulating. This management method will help you keep your room spacious and maintain a comfortable, simple lifestyle for a long time.

Wall-mounted and hanging storage

Wall and hanging storage are effective ways to keep floor space open while keeping the room looking tidy. Installing hooks and wall shelves allows you to stylishly store bags, hats, and small items. In the kitchen, using a hanging rack to store cooking utensils and mugs will also increase your workspace. Installing a hanging storage rack in your closet is also recommended as it will make effective use of vertical space.

Wall storage draws the eye upward, making the entire room feel larger. Also, by not leaving things on the floor, cleaning becomes less of a chore, making it easier to maintain a comfortable and clean lifestyle. Utilizing walls is an essential storage technique for minimalist living.

A balance between visible and hidden storage

When creating a minimalist room, it is important to strike a balance between "visible storage" and "hidden storage." Visible storage is a way to display your favorite items and frequently used things as part of the interior, adding personality and warmth to a room. On the other hand, hidden storage uses shelves with doors and storage boxes to hide items that give a sense of everyday life, making the space look neater. By combining these two in a balanced way, you can achieve both practicality and design. For example, keeping only the bare essentials on tables and shelves and storing everything else in storage furniture will create a tidy impression.

This method also makes cleaning easier and keeps your home more comfortable for longer.

How to choose furniture and storage that is easy to clean

To make cleaning easier, you need to think about the shape and placement of furniture and storage. Choosing furniture with legs allows you to see the floor, making it easier to vacuum and mop, and reduces the accumulation of dust. Storage furniture with casters is also recommended, as it is easy to move and makes it easy to clean behind and underneath. Choosing compact storage with reduced height and depth also has the effect of making the room appear larger. Furthermore, using consistent colors and designs creates a visually neat impression, and naturally encourages you to develop the habit of tidying up.

Minimalist people living alone can keep their rooms comfortable and clean for a long time by choosing furniture and storage that are easy to clean.

Recommended items and how to use them to enrich your life

Minimalist people living alone organize their lives with only the bare necessities, but the items they choose can greatly increase their comfort and satisfaction. In particular, lighting and storage items that make the area around the bed comfortable, and simple cooking utensils and storage items in the kitchen, have a major impact on the quality of daily life. Also, by choosing cleaning tools and everyday items that are both easy to use and space-saving, you can keep your room tidy and continue living comfortably. Furthermore, having all the essentials ready before you move will help you start your new life smoothly.

In this chapter, we will introduce specific items that will enrich your life and how to use them.

Lighting and storage items to make your bed area more comfortable

The area around the bed is an important space where you start and end your day. Choosing the right lighting and storage items is key to increasing comfort. For lighting, choosing indirect lighting or clip lights with warm colors that are easy on the eyes will create a relaxing atmosphere. For storage items, drawer-type storage boxes or cases with casters that make use of the space under the bed are convenient. If you choose a side table, choose one with drawers or shelves so you can neatly store small items such as your smartphone or books.

These clever ideas create a comfortable bed area where you can easily reach what you need without interfering with the flow of traffic in the room, making it perfect for a minimalist lifestyle.

Simple kitchen utensils and storage items

In a minimalist kitchen, carefully selecting cookware and storage items will lead to a comfortable and efficient cooking time. In many cases, a basic set of cookware such as frying pans, saucepans, knives, and cutting boards is sufficient. Furthermore, choosing multi-purpose items such as heat-resistant bowls and measuring cups will help save space. To make the most of limited storage space, try using hanging racks, under-sink dividers, and magnetic spice racks. Limiting the number of dishes and using a uniform design will make them easier to store and will also make the kitchen look neater.

By limiting your kitchen to only the essentials, you can reduce the amount of cleaning and tidying up you need to do, and keep your kitchen tidy and minimalist.

How to choose cleaning tools and daily necessities to organize your life

To maintain a comfortable life alone, it is important to choose cleaning tools and everyday items that are simple and easy to use. If you choose a lightweight stick vacuum cleaner or a robot vacuum cleaner, you can easily clean the entire room. Keeping mops and dustpans within easy reach will help you develop the habit of cleaning. Using refillable bottles and stackable cases for everyday items will allow you to make efficient use of storage space. Using the same color and design will make the entire room look neat and tidy, reducing the feeling of everyday life.

By not collecting too many things and carefully selecting only the essentials, you can reduce the effort required for cleaning and keep your room comfortable and clean at all times.

Essentials to buy before you move

To ensure a smooth start to your new life, it's important to prepare the necessary furniture and daily necessities before moving in. First, prepare basic furniture such as a bed, bedding, table, and lighting so that you can use them from the first day you move in. To ensure a smooth start to your life, it's a good idea to prepare the minimum kitchen utensils, dishes, and seasonings in advance. By getting your cleaning and laundry supplies ready early, you can maintain a clean environment right from the moment you move in. It's also recommended to add storage furniture and boxes as you start living in your new home, so you don't accumulate unnecessary items.

By making thorough preparations in advance, you can start living a comfortable and organized minimalist life immediately after moving in.

Summary: Enjoy a comfortable life alone with fewer possessions

Living alone as a minimalist is a lifestyle in which you only own what you need and use your room as spaciously and comfortably as possible.

You can continue to live a tidy life by arranging your furniture and storage, taking into consideration the layout for ease of cleaning, and incorporating storage ideas that make the most of limited space. Also, by carefully selecting the items you need and preparing them in a planned manner before you move, you can start your new life smoothly. Practice ideas for living a rich life with fewer possessions and create a simple space that suits you.