Tatami Designer Furniture

For those who seek minimalism when creating a space within their home or flat for living or entertainment space, the concept of a tatami room is one that frequently percolates. Historically, Japan has been a land without much living space for its citizenry. Most of its population is situated within fertile plains near coastal areas. The heavily urbanized feel prevalent today, has been therefore going on for several centuries. As some natural resources and spaces were limited, Japanese furniture designers almost completely ignored the concept of a chair with legs for almost 1000 years. Instead, homeowners would on cushions on the floor, atop a layer of woven fiber matting known as tatami.

Within Japan, it is often said that the soaring height of the younger generation is due to the increase in milk consumption and the fact that they started sitting in chairs at a young age. Tatami rooms are quite popular in urban design and frequently help add functionality when there is limited space. The low table that often doubles as a space heater is known as a kotatsu and is one of the more popular Asian types of pieces for those who appreciate designer furniture.

Surrounding the kotatsu are usually a series of cushions that typically blend in with their surroundings. After either dining or entertainment has finished for the evening, the kotatsu and cushions can be stored away in closets accessed via sliding doors. Often within the same closet, one will find a futon that is intended to turn the tatami room into a bedroom for oneself or guests.
The three most important decisions for those seeking to add a tatami room to their home are: deciding what type of pottery or scrollwork will be displayed, determining the layout and thickness of the tatami matting, and deciding how much wall coverage will be devoted to Japanese sliding screens, or shoji. Determining what styles of designer pottery or calligraphy will grace the walls of your new tatami room is often a task that is undertaken in conjunction with an experienced interior designer.

Ultimately, it is your choice however a good designer will present the options and cover any gaps in how aesthetics might project for prospective room owners. Additionally, in traditional Japanese homes, the display of pottery, although muted in scale, typically puts pieces that are worth tens of thousands of dollars on display for visitors. The scrollwork is additionally important in traditional tatami rooms. It often reflects a piece of wisdom or meaning that is held close to the family that displays it.

When choosing the thickness of your matting, it is important to understand the climate that you are installing into. Consult with a specialist regarding mold and fire hazards before proceeding.

Finally, when working with sliding screens and wall coverage, do not be afraid to extend the sliding panels to more than one wall. Some of the most spectacular tatami rooms are outstanding because they feature two or three open sides.