Midget cars, finger food, wallet-sized digicams. In Tokyo, everything from Cokes at McDonald’s to three-bedroom apartments are sized down. Miniaturizing isn’t just an obsession—it’s the national pastime. “We don’t even have enough space to work on our projects,” says Katsuya Kubokawa, one of Japan’s most popular do-it-yourself television personalities. “That’s why people are interested in how to make their rooms larger.”

Exhibit A: Kubokawa’s studio apartment. Formerly an antiques shop, the space clocks in at a little over 400 square feet. While strict building codes and the threat of earthquakes compel many urbanites to splurge on new, overpriced construction, Kubokawa was able to pick up his flat for a mere $150 a month (even in Tokyo, bargains can be found). Where others saw a 20-year-old dilapidated storefront, he saw the ideal micropad.

Kubokawa’s crib is a studio in the traditional sense—an open space without any dividers. His living room, bathroom, DJ turntables, and kitchen all dovetail. Fond of watching TV while soaking in the tub, Kubokawa installed a traditional English bath in the living room. Thanks to unusually high ceilings, he was able to build a loft bedroom, effectively doubling his square footage. Stacked shelves also serve as a staircase leading to the makeshift second floor.

But Kubokawa’s greatest accomplishment is his parking space. Because his flat sits at street level, he converted his entryway into a garage for his Smart car. “The car stays clean, and I don’t have to pay for a spot,” he says proudly.

HOW TO MAKE A TRAFFIC CONE TABLE

Materials:
Board, shelf, or piece of 1/2" plywood
Traffic cone
White exterior paint
Small mirror with mounting hardware
2 door hinges
8 screws
Hook-and-eye hardware

Tools:
Measuring tape
Pencil or pen
Drill with spade bit
Wrench
Scissors
Screwdriver
Stud finder

Make It:
1. Cut the board to the length you desire. (Prefab shelves are a great alternative.)
2. Procure a traffic cone (legally, we hope).
3. Using your drill and spade bit, drill a hole halfway into one end of the board so the tip of the cone can rest there.
4. Paint the board and cone white.
5. Affix a mirror to the bottom of the board.
6. Attach hinges to the underside of the board opposite the hole, and then to the wall.
7. Affix the eye to the top of the board and mark where it hits the wall.
8. Attach the hook to the spot you’ve marked. When unhooked, the board swings down and is propped up by the cone.