What are Japanese platform beds called?

Japanese beds

Here at Solid Custom Heirlooms we receive a lot of questions about Japanese platform beds - also sometimes called Zen platform beds. Back in 2013 when we first got started on Etsy, we got so many requests from customers wanting Japanese bed frames that we had to learn all about this special bed.

Japanese platform beds, also known as Tatami beds, Futons or Shikibuton, are known for their simplicity, minimalist design and the use of natural hardwood.

In response to this demand we designed a series of sturdy, solid wood bed frames with clean Japanese inspired lines that feature low VOC Tung Oil finish and easy assembly. This article will share what we've learned after designing and building hundreds of custom Japanese style bed frames, including our take on the best designs, mattress types, and ways to use Japanese furniture in any bedroom décor.

Tatami beds

Japanese platform beds are often called a Tatami bed because they provide a platform bed frame for a traditional Japanese Tatami mat.

A Tatami mat is a Japanese style of low-profile bedding traditionally made from Rush Grass woven around a Rice Hull core. Modern Tatami mats are made from a variety of different materials that can vary in thickness from 1 inch to 3 inches thick. Tatami mats are very firm and provide little to no cushion for the sleeper. While traditionally used on the floor, Tatami Mats are also often used in a platform bed frame to raise the mat up off the floor, keeping the bed clean and organized.

You can put a Tatami on a most platform bed frames but make sure the bed surface foundation provides strong support for the mat. Because the mat itself is not rigid, Tatami beds must have a firm, flat base platform to support the mat and in turn the sleepers.

Also make sure that your bed frame will accommodate the thin profile of the mat as many beds designed for a standard American mattress have a lip or trim that would not interfere with a thick mattress but could cause problems for a thin Tatami.

Types of Tatami beds

Traditional Japanese Tatami bed frames are a low profile platform bed with no headboard and set close to the ground, typically 6 to 12 inches from the floor.

For a more modern look, many people prefer a higher platform bed frame concept to make it easier to get in and out of the bed, keep the bedding clean and create a defined a bed space within the room. A headboard and footboard and even storage drawers can add style and function to the room.

A Tatami bed frame is available in all standard mattress sizes including King, Queen, Full and Twin. Pay close attention to your Tatami dimensions as not all mats are made to standard American sizes. A Tatami bed frame cannot be used with a box spring.

A bed platform extension is a very popular addition to our Japanese style bed designs. The platform extension enhances the natural low profile design by enlarging the bed platform at the sides and foot of the bed, creating an extra platform space for small items. A typical extension is 2 to 5 inches past the footprint of the mattress.

Is a Tatami bed comfortable?

A Tamami bed is best for people that enjoy an extremely firm sleeping platform. People who sleep on their back report that a Tatami bed helps to provide support, align their spine and improve their overall circulation. The flat, firm surface also encourages healthy airflow around the sleeper.

Traditional Tatami mats made from natural Rush Grass and Rice Hulls have a distinctive smell that imparts a peaceful feeling to the bedroom and encourages a restful atmosphere. Many customers report that sleeping on these natural materials close to the ground promotes excellent sleep.

Japanese futon

A Japanese futon, also known as a Japanese Floor Mattress, is thicker and softer than a Tatami mat – often 12 to 18 inches thick. Traditionally filled with straw, modern futons are filled with cotton, latex or other soft padding materials. The best Japanese futons are made from natural, organic materials that keep them both comfortable and light.

A futon is softer and thicker that a Tatami Mat, while still much firmer than traditional American mattresses. Futon mattresses are available in all standard sizes such as King, Queen and Full and Twin.

Japanese futon frame

A futon can be used on the floor, a platform bed base or a special folding futon frame. Just like a Tatami mat, a futon base must be sturdy enough to support the Futon because it has little or no structural rigidity.

Because they are flexible, futons can also be used with other types of furniture bases to make them function as a chair, couch or day bed. Futons are popular with people that have a small bedroom because with the right base they can be converted easily from a sitting couch to a bed.

Are Japanese futons comfortable?

A futon is best for people who enjoy a firm mattress, but still would like something softer than a Tatami Mat.

The best Japanese futons are made from natural, organic materials that keep them both comfortable and lightweight. Avoid low cost futons made with cheap materials that can release chemical fumes for weeks if not months after purchase.

What is a Shikibuton mattress?

A Shikibuton mattress, sometimes called a Japanese floor bed, is a traditional Japanese mattress designed to be used on the ground and folded up and put away when not in use. “Shiki” means “four seasons,” and “buton” means “cushion.” It is traditionally made from cotton and filled with buckwheat hulls

A Shikibuton mattress is about half the thickness of futon mattresses, usually 3 to 6 inches thick and designed to be used on the ground. Just like a Tatami mat, if a Shikibuton is used on a platform bed frame it must have proper support or it will not be comfortable!

The Zen Bedroom

In Japan, small bedrooms are common and space is at a premium. As a result, Japanese style furniture is all about simplicity, durable design and quality. Natural materials and solid wood construction are not only prized for their strength and clean lines but for the sense of Zen they bring to the bedroom.

A Zen platform bed embodies the principals of simplicity, efficiency and high quality materials. Whether you prefer a Tatami mat, Futon or even an American style mattress, a well crafted bed will inspire a peaceful atmosphere and deep sleep.

Torii Gate Beds

A traditional Japanese Torii Gate marks the passageway from the mundane to the sacred. Incorporating the Torri Gate into a bed's headboard brings the sacred space imagery - and peaceful atmosphere - into the bedroom.

Solid Custom Heirlooms is a custom furniture builder based in Appalachia USA. We use American hardwood to craft a wide variety of beds from simple Japanese platforms to more elaborate luxury beds. If you don’t see what you are looking for, or want to talk more about achieving a specific look or type of bed, please contact us and we would love to help you make your dreams a reality.