build a kotatsu

I’ve been looking at how coffee tables are built since I decided to start this project and I think it’d be fairly straightforward. In fact, our old coffee table got busted the other week so it’s been leaned against our wall for a while while we decide if we’re going to fix it or not. I think I’m going to follow the same idea for the support for my kotatsu.

Something interesting. My husband and I like to entertain multiple friends, so I’ve decided that a small square or rectangular table would not work for us. Instead I’ve decided to try making a slightly larger octagonal top so that there’s more leg room. I’ll have to make a futon to match, but I still have a while until winter arrives.

Any thoughts?

I’ve been wanting a table like this in my kitchen for quite some time. I’m not Japanese nor can I count it as part of my heritage, but I’m still fascinated with them, their culture, the fact that a lot of the things they do still revolve on ceremony, and their tables.

I found out what they were called today, which led to me deciding that I’m going to obtain a kotatsu one way or another. Looking at the prices I think I’m going to make one. Plus it’ll give me a fun project for the spring/summer seasons.

I also decided that I don’t want it in the kitchen where the kitchen table should go. I want it in the livingroom instead. We don’t eat in the kitchen anyway because we use the table as extra counter space (our apartment sucks like that). I’m going to get rid of the couch and lounge chair and put a kotatsu there instead. My husband agrees 100%. We don’t like the current sitting furniture. It’s kinda ugly. A kotatsu would be so much prettier.

I have the dimensions for the table, but I want to take it a step further. Does anyone know if there’s a pattern for making the mat and futon?

There will be more to come as I plot this out.