What Is a Tatami Room Used For?

Have you found yourself wondering, “What is a tatami room?” or “What is a tatami room used for?” You’ll find the answer on the floor!

Tatami rooms are centered around mats woven from straw. These mats affect the way you gather, sit down, and move about the room. They help to make the whole ambiance feel grounded and calm, to let you better connect with nature.

What is a Tatami Room Exactly?

Tatami mats are firm panels traditionally made with a straw core and woven igusa rush on top. They cushion each step while regulating the humidity of the room, and establish a grid that sets the proportions for everything else in the room. 

Many designs start by reviewing the basics of what a tatami mat flooring platform is, to make sure the mats stay level, breathable, and comfortable over time.

The tatami room functioned as a multi-functional space because it provided both sleeping areas for futons and tea-drinking spaces at low tables and areas for meditation through silent contemplation.

Today’s Homes Inspired by Japanese Traditions

In modern homes, tatami rooms that are inspired by traditional Japanese-style rooms often need to be used for a variety of purposes throughout the day, like a meditation corner in the morning, a play place for kids in the afternoon, and a guest room at night. 

Some even integrate a raised tatami platform into a living room, to turn a small area into a place that can be used for reading, tea, or stretching. This flexibility is why the tatami style is so appealing.

The mats define a softer, more intentional zone without needing permanent walls.

Want a Tatami Room in Your Home?

When planning a tatami room, you’ll want to take into account the lighting, circulation, and how you want the space to feel. 

Look at how the room sits in relation to the rest of the home, how you will transition from wood or tile to tatami, and whether the area needs to switch between sleeping, working, exercising, relaxing, and gathering.

Low furniture with built-in storage, and a restrained palette of wood, paper, and fabric keep attention on the mats.

Contact Imoshen Studio to speak with an expert who can answer your “what is a tatami room” question, and even help you with proportion management and layout design, which preserves traditional elements in your contemporary way of living.