Japanese Style Beds

What is a Japanese bed?

Traditionally, Japanese basically sleep on the floor – or to be precise, on top of a carefully arranged mat with cushions.

They use what’s called a tatami mat, followed by a Shikifuton (mattress) and a kakebuton (duvet), finished with a buckwheat hull pillow. This traditional low-to-the-ground way of sleeping inspired the introduction of Japanese style frames into wider cultures around the globe. Typically minimalistic in style, they're most often available as a wooden bed frame with angular edges.

Why are Japanese beds low?

Japan can get very hot during the summer months (lucky them!). Tatami mats are light and breathable, and their position on the floor allows cool air to circulate around the body. (Warm air rises, while cool air settles close to the floor). The same cool air benefit applies to low beds – this is particularly helpful if you’re prone to overheating or night sweats.

Other benefits of low-rise beds include the way they make bedrooms appear more spacious. They’re also easy for kids and pets to hop in and out of – that’s if you like to share your bed!

Mattresses for Japanese beds

To continue with the low-rise, minimalist theme of Japanese bedroom décor, we recommend choosing a mattress that’s shallow and offers cooling properties. Check out our bed-in-a-box mattresses, this is a collection of rolled mattresses from different brands that have little depth but offer great comfort and quality. Discover pressure-relieving pocket springs, body-contouring memory foam and cooling properties such as ventilated structures and natural, breathable fibres.

Japanese style bedroom

When it comes to designing your Japandi bedroom, the key elements are:

• - A low-rise wooden bed
• - Clean, angular lines
• - Practical, minimalistic furniture
• - No clutter
• - Natural fibres and materials
• - Monochrome and contrasting colour combinations

Try to keep accessories to a minimum and make sure they’re functional rather than purely aesthetically pleasing. Rely on natural elements such as flowers and plants to bring the interior to life.