Is 'I'll use it someday' never coming? A survey on the reality of giant objects in the living room. 30% give up and use them as 'clothes drying racks/storage,' and 10% are forced to live by 'crab walking.'
Monita, a consumer participation media operated by HADO Co., Ltd., conducted a survey on the reality of large products in living rooms oppressing daily life. It reported that 30% of these items have become clothes drying racks or storage, and 10% of people are forced to 'crab walk,' highlighting how the psychological barrier of not being able to discard expensive items is lowering quality of life.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 11:20 (48 min after Collected)
HADO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Taiga Tanaka), which operates the consumer participation media "Monita," conducted a survey on "awareness of giant objects in the living room" targeting 50 men and women nationwide in April 2026.
This survey thoroughly investigated the reality of how large products, initially introduced with passion and a desire for healing, are now oppressing household living patterns and family relationships. We report on their "dominance" and the episodes of sorrow and anger arising from it.
■ Background of the Survey
In recent years, due to increased time spent at home and rising health consciousness, there has been a rapid surge in demand for "large home appliances and health equipment" that allow for authentic massage and exercise at home. However, after the initial enthusiasm for purchase cools, these items often remain in the living room as "immovable heavy objects," obstructing living patterns.
In the context of Japanese housing, how to effectively utilize limited living space is a crucial issue directly linked to QOL (Quality of Life). Therefore, this survey was conducted to visualize the physical and psychological impact that giant objects, once introduced in pursuit of an "ideal lifestyle," are now having on current family life, and to present ideas for "smart space utilization and replacement" in modern times.
■ Survey Results Summary
30.0% responded, "It's already part of the house (clothes drying rack/storage)": This highlights the reality that items have lost their original function and become expensive storage.
16.0% are forced to "crab walk" daily: A giant object blocks living pathways, leading to an abnormal situation where all family members have to move sideways.
28.0% "feel pain/get injured every time they clean": Beyond just annoyance every time it's in sight, it escalates to physical pain (such as agonizing stubbed pinky toes).
Approximately 60.0% are confident that stress will be relieved by replacing with a "latest alternative 1/10 the size": A positive intention to let go of attachment and reclaim space.
Stress relief when replacing with a modern model 1/10 the size or foldable. While about 60% show a positive reaction, over 30% desire "the space itself."
■ Survey Details: Reality from 50 Responses
1. The Dominance of "Giant Objects" Occupying the Living Room
When asked about the "degree of dominance (inconvenience) by the object," the most common response was "Lv.5: It's already part of the house. I've given up and use it as a clothes drying rack or storage (30.0%)," followed by "Lv.2: Every time I clean, I keenly feel 'if only this weren't here' (28.0%)." This reveals the reality that what was once a "sanctuary of healing" has now transformed into an "immovable obstacle."
2. Original Survey Response Episodes
【The whole family "crab walks" in the living room】
"Johnson's products are surprisingly heavy for their professional quality. Once placed, they can't be easily moved. It has an overwhelming presence in the middle of the room. It completely blocks the pathway to the balcony. As a result, the whole family has to crab walk every day. It's not uncommon for my hurried wife or children to bump their feet on the machine's corner, leading to shouts of anger. I know it's in the way myself. Still, remembering the high purchase cost makes it hard to decide to throw it away." (Male, 40s / Johnson's professional exercise bike)
【Luxury massage chair becomes a "pinky toe weapon"】
"One morning, I overslept and rushed to open the curtains, only to stub my foot on the massage chair and agonize. Since it's placed by the window, I feel 'it's in the way' every time I open the window or curtains. However, since it was quite expensive, the reality is I can't bring myself to throw it away." (Female, 40s / Unknown brand massage chair)
【Family's prayer hidden behind the "buzz"】
"An expensive stand lamp was installed in what was originally the shortest route from the living room entrance to the kitchen. Since the shade part has a weak structure, there's a risk of breaking it if you try to force your way through, so it's completely impassable. It's furniture my wife really likes, and it 'buzzed' on her SNS account, so it's been left there. It's also in the way when vacuuming, so I'm praying it breaks soon." (Male, 30s / Unknown brand stand lamp)
Ranking of "Giant Objects" Occupying the Living Room. As a result of seeking healing and health, massage chairs and fitness equipment are the two major culprits.
■ Discussion
This survey revealed the reality that large household products continue to deprive living space and family peace of mind for extended periods due to the psychological barrier of "being too expensive to discard." On the other hand, there is high trust in the latest compact and space-saving technologies, and consumers prioritize "maintaining functionality" (implied: in a smaller form factor).
This survey thoroughly investigated the reality of how large products, initially introduced with passion and a desire for healing, are now oppressing household living patterns and family relationships. We report on their "dominance" and the episodes of sorrow and anger arising from it.
■ Background of the Survey
In recent years, due to increased time spent at home and rising health consciousness, there has been a rapid surge in demand for "large home appliances and health equipment" that allow for authentic massage and exercise at home. However, after the initial enthusiasm for purchase cools, these items often remain in the living room as "immovable heavy objects," obstructing living patterns.
In the context of Japanese housing, how to effectively utilize limited living space is a crucial issue directly linked to QOL (Quality of Life). Therefore, this survey was conducted to visualize the physical and psychological impact that giant objects, once introduced in pursuit of an "ideal lifestyle," are now having on current family life, and to present ideas for "smart space utilization and replacement" in modern times.
■ Survey Results Summary
30.0% responded, "It's already part of the house (clothes drying rack/storage)": This highlights the reality that items have lost their original function and become expensive storage.
16.0% are forced to "crab walk" daily: A giant object blocks living pathways, leading to an abnormal situation where all family members have to move sideways.
28.0% "feel pain/get injured every time they clean": Beyond just annoyance every time it's in sight, it escalates to physical pain (such as agonizing stubbed pinky toes).
Approximately 60.0% are confident that stress will be relieved by replacing with a "latest alternative 1/10 the size": A positive intention to let go of attachment and reclaim space.
Stress relief when replacing with a modern model 1/10 the size or foldable. While about 60% show a positive reaction, over 30% desire "the space itself."
■ Survey Details: Reality from 50 Responses
1. The Dominance of "Giant Objects" Occupying the Living Room
When asked about the "degree of dominance (inconvenience) by the object," the most common response was "Lv.5: It's already part of the house. I've given up and use it as a clothes drying rack or storage (30.0%)," followed by "Lv.2: Every time I clean, I keenly feel 'if only this weren't here' (28.0%)." This reveals the reality that what was once a "sanctuary of healing" has now transformed into an "immovable obstacle."
2. Original Survey Response Episodes
【The whole family "crab walks" in the living room】
"Johnson's products are surprisingly heavy for their professional quality. Once placed, they can't be easily moved. It has an overwhelming presence in the middle of the room. It completely blocks the pathway to the balcony. As a result, the whole family has to crab walk every day. It's not uncommon for my hurried wife or children to bump their feet on the machine's corner, leading to shouts of anger. I know it's in the way myself. Still, remembering the high purchase cost makes it hard to decide to throw it away." (Male, 40s / Johnson's professional exercise bike)
【Luxury massage chair becomes a "pinky toe weapon"】
"One morning, I overslept and rushed to open the curtains, only to stub my foot on the massage chair and agonize. Since it's placed by the window, I feel 'it's in the way' every time I open the window or curtains. However, since it was quite expensive, the reality is I can't bring myself to throw it away." (Female, 40s / Unknown brand massage chair)
【Family's prayer hidden behind the "buzz"】
"An expensive stand lamp was installed in what was originally the shortest route from the living room entrance to the kitchen. Since the shade part has a weak structure, there's a risk of breaking it if you try to force your way through, so it's completely impassable. It's furniture my wife really likes, and it 'buzzed' on her SNS account, so it's been left there. It's also in the way when vacuuming, so I'm praying it breaks soon." (Male, 30s / Unknown brand stand lamp)
Ranking of "Giant Objects" Occupying the Living Room. As a result of seeking healing and health, massage chairs and fitness equipment are the two major culprits.
■ Discussion
This survey revealed the reality that large household products continue to deprive living space and family peace of mind for extended periods due to the psychological barrier of "being too expensive to discard." On the other hand, there is high trust in the latest compact and space-saving technologies, and consumers prioritize "maintaining functionality" (implied: in a smaller form factor).