Futon and Tatami

What is a Futon mattress

A futon is a typical japanese mattress with pure cotton batting. Originally futons were quite slim so they could easily be folded or rolled up and put away to use the same room for another prupose such as lunch or a tea ceremony.

Thanks to their versatility and adaptability to a great variety of uses, futons have become very popular also in western cultures. For futons used in beds it's common to find richer models that include also layers of latex, coconut fibre and wool in addition to the cotton batting. For guest beds or transformable sofas instead the futon should be slimmer so that it's easily bendable and it maintains it's position when folded. For more information about our futons you can read our tips on how to take care of a futon over time

If you would check out our full offer of futon mattresses you can go to the category of japanese futons.

If you don't find exactly the model or size you are looking for just drop us a message requesting a custom made futon

Tatami as a bed base

The tatami mats can be used as a mattress base in classic beds or low beds. In our beds the mats are always placed on top of straight fir wood slats so they are lifted up from the floor and can air out properly on both sides. 
The breathability and sturdiness of a tatami mat make it a perfect support for futon mattresses. Tatami mats offer a slightly firmer support, compared to classic wooden slats.

If the inner dimension of the bed is the same as the mattress, it will cover the mat, hiding the tatami completely (Figure 2). 
It's also possible to create beds with a larger base than the mattress so that the tatami remains exposed on the sides, revealing it's intricate and beautiful weave (Figures 1-3). 

Tatami floor

Eastern cultures use tatami mats as a floor covering on which to walk barefoot or even as a bed base on which to roll out a futon at night. 
The particular weave of tatami floors offer a very pleasant feeling walking over them and they support the body weight ideally.
Some martial arts disciplines even require the use of tatami flooring during competitions due to it's specific characteristics. 
Learn more about the tatami combinations.

To order tatami mats you can visit our tatami product page

Main features of our tatamis

Our tatamis are considered a high quality product. The double weave, visible both on the front and back side, is a proof of the high quality of this item.
Our Japanese tatamis are 5.5 cm thick and made of rice straw.

How to properly take care of tatami mats

Tatamis made with natural rice straw are not sensible to attacks from insects or any type of mites, however, it is important to note that dust and skin cells that may deposit on the tatami do instead attract dust mites. We therefore recommend to regularly vacuum clean the mats and air them by temporarily folding the mattress on top.

If the tatami is used as flooring we recommend to lift them up from time to time and place them against a wall so the lower side can air out properly. When doing this it's best to leave any windows in the room open as well to ensure a higher rate of air circulation.