If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of tatami mats; take heart, you have probably seen plenty of them but just didn’t know what to call them.  They are inspired by the same people who brought you the lovely shoji screen, platform bed, and futon and rice paper lamp.  While tatami mats are not necessarily a part of this décor, they are clearly an element that has grown in popularity since the beginning of the 21^st century.  Isn’t it time you learned what they are all about?

Well that’s how the owners of Chopa.com felt when they posted the article, “Tatami Mats – The Ideal Backdrop for Serenity” in a recent blog.  The author claims that the tatami mat has not yet “made inroads with American homeowners,” however they are showing up quite a bit in high-end furniture showrooms.  For people who choose to use tatami mats instead of carpet, they are a much more inviting concept than machine-made Berber rugs or Asian-inspired area rugs.  That’s because tatami mats are made with all-natural rush grass and filled with sustainable fiber filling.  They have an organic scent that gives a room a natural and fresh aroma, and they are also a perfect way to make a room more soundproof.

In addition to being a terrific all-natural alternative to carpet, tatami mats are used to create a complete tatami room.  While it might look like a meditation suite, tatami rooms are also a popular “transition room” for older adults who suddenly have extra rooms to redecorate.  Once the kids are gone, many homeowners find they have an extra bedroom or two.  One of these rooms may become the home office, while the other is transformed with tatami mats, Sumi ink paintings, soft lighting, shoji screens and Ikebana vases.

This is not to say that the tatami room is merely a peaceful oasis for meditation; it can be far more than that.  Tatami mats make a comfortable sitting space for crafters and artists as well.  A room like this is the ideal place to escape to the scent of incense and a moment of silence.  Some people decorate with acoustically-sound tatami mats to improve the soundproofing of a room so it can be used as a reading room or a place to practice martial arts.