According to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the average floor plan of an apartment in Tokyo is around 64.8 square meters. But when you look at just the area dedicated to living space, that number shrinks down to around just 40 square meters. Compared to some other cities in the world, this may not seem like much space at all, especially if you share it with a partner or housemate, or are working from home full-time.
So how can you make the most of the limited space you have? Well, one way is to utilize something that nature provides for free: sunlight. Sunlight not only opens up a space, making it look bigger and brighter than it actually is, but it also helps keep the body and mind in optimal condition.
However, it’s not always possible to have ample amounts of natural light flooding into your abode, especially as summer starts ebbing away, resulting in days getting shorter. So, in this article, we’ll shine a light on how to make the most of natural light in small apartments as summer starts giving way to fall. You can also preemptively maximize the amount of natural light in your apartment by ensuring that you choose accommodation that is south-facing. Real estate agencies such as Village House can help with this when you fill out an application form online.
Using Mirrors
One of the easiest and arguably most effective and efficient ways of maximizing natural light in a small space is to make good use of strategically placed mirrors in your apartment. Placing a mirror opposite a window not only helps reflect ample sunlight into the apartment but also provides the illusion of a second window. This can not only help brighten up the place, but also make your small apartment look bigger than it actually is.
If it is not possible to place a mirror directly opposite a window, then you can place it adjacent to the window. This will also help capture, reflect, and bounce the natural light at various angles to different pockets of the apartment.
The larger the mirror, the more effectively it will reflect and amplify natural light into the apartment, though you should ensure that the mirror is not so big that it crowds and towers over the limited space you have.
You can also use mirrors to reflect artificial light you have in your apartment, whether it comes from your ceiling lights, table lamps, floor lamps, etc.
Furniture
Your choice of furniture and wall paint will also dictate how bright, airy, and spacious your apartment can look and feel. Since many landlords and real estate agencies in Japan are quite strict on not changing the wall color or adding wallpaper to it, you should take note of the colors of the walls and ceilings of any potential apartment you may want to rent. Try to go for apartments that come with light colored walls and ceilings, as they not only make the place look brighter but are also more able to reflect natural light that comes in through the windows.
When it comes to choosing furniture, choosing furniture made out of pale wood and light colored materials will also aid in helping reflect natural light and adding brightness to the small space. You can also opt for curtains made of sheer fabric, which allows light to pass through but still affords you a modicum of privacy.
Aside from the materials and color of furniture, you should also consider the placement of furniture in your small apartment. Arranging your furniture in a way that doesn’t block the windows will allow the maximum amount of light to enter the room. If your apartment is too small for this to be possible or the window is in a tricky spot, consider investing in transformer furniture, which is furniture that can be adjusted to fit your space and layout requirements or discreetly tucked away when not needed.
Artificial Lighting
If your apartment is not south-facing or faces another building, then you may have limited natural light filtering in through your windows. To counteract the lack of sunlight, you can make use of artificial light to mimic the qualities of natural light, such as color and temperature.
Light bulbs with a color temperature of between 5000k to 6500k mimic the qualities of daylight, and full-spectrum bulbs are designed to mimic natural light. By identifying where natural light comes into your apartment and installing artificial lights in similar positions, you can maximize the amount of daylight that floods into your apartment.
Cleaning
To ensure that your reflective surfaces, walls, windows, furniture, etc., reflect and amplify the amount of natural light coming into your apartment most efficiently and effectively, you should keep a regular cleaning schedule of these parts of your apartment. Dust, dirt, and grime can block or reduce natural light from entering your apartment, so regularly cleaning both the inside and outside of your windows and polishing your mirrors will help maximize the amount of natural light that comes in and gets reflected to various areas of the apartment.
Mood
So aside from using sunlight to open up the limited space in your small apartment and helping you keep things neat, tidy, and clean, why should you make the most of natural light in your abode? The answer is simple: natural light affects not just your physical health but your mental and emotional state.
Studies have shown that sunlight boosts mood and energy levels by triggering the release of endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. The release of endorphins helps to alleviate feelings of fatigue, stress, and anxiety, resulting in you feeling more positive and productive. This is especially beneficial if you work from home.
Exposure to natural light also helps regulate your circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle, which is why it is recommended for individuals with jet lag to soak in the sun to combat the effects of moving from one time zone to another. By maximizing the amount of natural light that enters your apartment, you reap the benefits of improving your sleep quality, which in turn improves your mood and productivity for the next day.
For more info, check out our blog: Daily Routines That Help You Stay Grounded When Living Alone in Japan
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Freelance writer with over 2 years of experience writing for the Village House Blog, ESL teacher, and digital nomad who has lived in countries including The Czech Republic, The UK, The U.A.E., Japan, and most recently, Georgia. Is constantly on the hunt for the best, most optimal apartment for remote work when not enjoying going to film festivals, concerts, and the theater.