Homeowners today are doing their best to simplify cluttered spaces and reinvent their home décor.  A growing proportion of those who would like to remodel are using the word “tatami,” so much so that it’s become a part of American dictionaries.  A good example of a product that has gained popularity over the past several months is the Zaisu chair, a legless Japanese-style chair that fits right into the tatami room.

The concept of creating a tatami room in modern homes is to create an uncluttered space for quiet reflection and meditation.  This peaceful oasis is not made with the same furnishings that are found in popular furniture stores; they are made with low-profile tables, legless chairs, tatami mats and organic fibers.  Few people can realistically carry off a whole home with such a minimal look, but a room or two is quite doable.  Imagine a place in your home where you can stretch out on soft tatami mats and breath in the scent of organic rush grass.  Tatami rooms often include other décor, such as Ikebana vases, Calligraphy prints and rice paper lamps, but the objective is to make it as low-key as possible.  A Zaisu chair is an important element of a tatami room.

In a recent article that appeared on Chopa.com, “The Perfect Complement to Your Tatami Room – A Zaisu Chair,” the Zaisu chair is considered by some to be a “secret weapon.”  This comfortable seat allows people of all ages to sit on the floor in the Japanese style without risking back pain.  It also provides a sturdy foundation for meditation practices.

A tatami room may be decorated in various ways, but one common element is the tatami mat flooring.  Tatami is actually the name for a mat that is often found in traditional Japanese rooms.  Made from rice straw at its core and covered with a woven rush straw, these flat mats are made in standard sizes and positioned in a specified pattern on the floor.  The long sides of tatami mats usually have a brocade edging, which lends a rich look to the room.  The architectural style of tatami reached its peak during the Muromachi period in Japan, when rooms completely spread with tatami mats became known as Zashiki.  However, prior to the mid-16th century, only nobility had access to tatami mats.

Find the best selection of tatami mats and Zaisu chairs for your home by visiting Chopa.com.