build a kotatsu

No room for it right now, but I’m going to scope out the parts for next winter. I bet You could save a lot of money sitting at a kotatsu instead of cranking up the heat.

I really like the idea of getting a table from Ikea, just need a cool table top idea. Thanks for all the info!

It’s Dec.17th 2008…we just bought the “LACK” table from IKEA, and used my king size comforter with a duvet(comforter cover). The “LACK” has a table shelf below the table top which is pefect to slide out and put onto the comforter. Then I bought the “COZY LEGS” heat panel at 150 watts. Google cozy legs heat panel. I got the the 150 watt, and mounted it underneath the table and it is perfect! It’s safe to the touch, perfect temperature, only one inch thick and super safe. I also have a portable fan plastic heater we used for a couple days before the cozy legs heater came in. It worked fine, just leave a opening in the back, lift the comforter with something that will hold it above the heater and it works just as good!

..and by the way the electric space heaters that i’ve used are made with plastic casing so that you wont burn your leg if you accidentally touch it (i.e. metal casing ones sold at costco) -avoid the wall mounted ones with no power cord coming out of it, as it’s only meant to be used on a wall outlet and cannot stand on the floor by itself. A ”PORTABLE CERAMIC HEATER” with a ceramic element heater is totally safe, it doesn’t become red hot as in the wire element ones, and operates at heating temperatures below the combustion point of paper. With a built in fan for air circulation -about 6×6×10 (small ones) -with a built in tip-over safety shut off switch (in case you knock it over) and lastly a round knob thermostat (like the one for the baseboard heaters at home) as opposed to the 3 setting ones in some heating units (High, Medium and Low ones) NOTE if you’re using an extension cord, use a thick one, like the orange ones for heavy duty use, a thin one will overheat and can be dangerous O.o!!…. okee dokee then, have fun with your kotatsu making and enjoy it! i know i do!
tooooooooooooooasty! ^_
My pick for a heater:
http://www.dealtime.com/xPC-Honeywell-Honeywell-QuickHeat-Ceramic-Heater note the round thermostat knob
ohh ohh and you can always find them at Lowes, Home Depot, and even at Wallgreens and the such.
yep…
be safe, have fun!

hey!, i’ve been using a kotatsu for 2 years now, loooooove it!, i used the table from ikea called “LACK” i bought the black one… conmes with a magazine rack, so i take it out and use it as a tale top… http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15564&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=11135&langId=-1&categoryId=15799&chosenPartNumber=10065958
($40)
then a blaket size full/queen ($9)
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15558&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=44619&langId=-1&categoryId=15839&chosenPartNumber=50075823
and a table cloth, for easy cleaning…($5) at ikea as well..
then, for the heater… i use a space heater…($14.99) with a low, med, high setting but most importantly a thermostat (like the one that looks like a dimmer)…
and voila!
Ohhh also, your coffe table legs need to be cut to 13 inches high (make sure you don’t cut the TOP!!!, where they screw into the table)… i got mine cut for free at the Home Depot! make sure you mark them all first! they have a mitter saw, awesome cutting! and lastly sand the cut so that they don’t “peel/chip” at the cut line when you move the table…
^ ^ i loooooooooove my kotatsu!, ohh don’t forget to eat Mikas (satsuma oranges) too, it’s a kotatsu staple food!
good luck!
I gave my last kotatsu to my Japanese friend in Seattle, and he uses it A LOT!!! he’s sooooo happy, we had good time s on that kotatsu, hmmm shabu shabu! getting drunk! sleeping like a baking pie…! lol
good times!

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 thinking about cheap ways to do this for a while now and have found a couple of decent heater option ideas here in the states and have decided to cut costs on the top to be able to afford a decent heater

The base is a fairly straightforward frame but I’d like a nice looking top and to do it well costs a bit. However I’ve seen several busted coffee tables and small dining tables that could have the top knocked off of out in the trash. I wish I’d thought to grab one before now. I was looking for one I could just cut down and unbolt the top, and while that would be easy, it’s not much harder to take one apart where the top is glued in and part of the frame work .

I think with scavenged parts it cane be done for less than $150 and a third of that is to get the heater that I want.

I’m going to update here but also put up a page at my main site as I go

i’ve got the comforter for it tho, all i have to do is build the table and i’ve never built one before

Surely it can’t be difficult to build.. might be fire hazard though..

Here’s some not very convincing instructions:
How to build a Kotatsu

I’d love to get this done before next winter. Really, the best thing for these cold Upstate NY winters. And not out of Legos either. Although Tarquin would love that.

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.