How to move to Tokyo Part 2. Furnishing your new home.

You have found your new home in Tokyo and soon it will be time to move in. If you have been lucky enough to acquire a fully furnished property then it is time to relax and become accustomed to your new surroundings and lifestyle. However, most of the time your new home will be completely bare. Bare is not a bad thing since you will have full control on the style and type of furnishings to put into your home. And, when I say bare, I mean bare. Apart from needing furniture, household appliances and electrical goods you will possibly need ceiling light fittings and curtains as well...


If you are shipping your furniture to Japan there is always a delay for the furniture to arrive. Unless of course you send it before you leave for Japan. However, most cases will involve you using your furniture just before you leave. There are a few things to consider before you pack all of your furnishings and crate them up.


-Is the value of your furniture worth shipping?
-Will your furniture survive the trip?
-Is the size of your furniture small enough to fit through smaller Japanese size doors, stairs or halls?


I suggest you only ship the pieces that you dearly love. Those are items with such a high sentimental value that you cannot live without. Once you have decided on the furniture you would like to send it is time to see if they are strong enough to cope with the shock of shipping. Once you have deemed the pieces to be hardy enough for the trip, you will need to ensure that they will be able to fit into a Japanese size home. Doesn’t sound easy, does it? Shipping furniture is not a simple task. Furniture that is easy to dismantle and reassemble is your best bet. Otherwise, consider getting your furnishings in Japan.


It is a good thing that Tokyo has lots and lots of furniture and interior shops. There are a multitude of styles and brands available. But, how do you find the time to visit the sofa shops, the bed shops, lighting shops and curtain shops. How about the electrical shop for the refrigerator and huge TV you want with the stereo and surround sound? You will end up pretty confused in a very short time. Wouldn’t it be great if someone could understand your personal taste and help you choose the furnishings you need for free? Well, that is exactly the service that MAY’S offers!


MAY’S team of experienced Interior Decorators will help you design an interior arrangement to suit your individual style. Simply contact MAY’S and one of our Decorators will be in touch to discuss your requirements. Photos of the interior of your existing home and pictures of interiors from magazines are very helpful to understand your style. They will schedule a visit to your new home to fully measure the interior dimensions, note the ceiling’s need for light fixtures, measure the windows for curtains, take photos and consider the size of the access areas for large items .Once our decorator understands your needs, they will propose a number of arrangements to fit into your floor plan and way of life. Your decorator will also accompany you to manufacturer’s showrooms to feel and see products in the flesh. This is especially important when choosing the size and hardness of a bed, and testing the comfort of a sofa. This service is offered free of charge when you choose to lease or purchase from MAY’S. If you would like a free, no obligation consultation from one of our decorators, please complete and submit your request on the enquiry form. Our Decorators are also able to meet you anywhere in Tokyo to discuss your furnishing needs.


If you decided to ship your furniture and there is a delay waiting for the goods to arrive, MAY’S have Temporary Furniture solutions available. This service is also helpful when you ship your furniture out of Japan and need temporary furnishings to use before your departure.
You now have a fully furnished home in Tokyo! Now it is time to feel comfortable and relaxed in your new home. A comfortable home will allow you to settle in to your new environment much quicker and with much less stress. Enjoy your stay in Tokyo!

May's Homepage is here