Kotatsu on da Cheap
I finished “building” my own cheap kotatsu! Actually, built and finished it last thursday night right before I left for Vegas but did not have any time to really write a post about it.
Essentially, a kotatsu is a coffee/low table with heating and a blanket/comforter on top of it. Thanks to this site I pretty much found everything I needed to buy to make my own, even if I could not import some of the parts (like the heating unit) from Japan.
To build my kotatsu, basically bought the following:
- Indus-Tool CL Cozy Legs Flat-Panel 100-Watt Radiant Heater ($60USD)
- Ikea LACK Coffee Table ($30USD)
- Some random cheap-ish comforter ($20USD)
- 2-3 cheap pillows & covers for seats since my floor is tiled (under $20USD)
After buying everything, the process was pretty straight forward. Simply build the coffee table minus the middle top/shelving, measure the heating unit to attach some C brackets lying around the house, insert the heating unit into the brackets (basically sliding it in), put the comforter over the table, and putting the middle top/shelving on top of that for the “actual” table top. Plug in the heater, wait a bit for it to get warm, sit on the pillows while putting as much as my body under the comforter and relax 
Sounds simple right? Well it was as it took maybe an hour tops to do everything. Overall it came out a lot better than I thought considering I decided to do it out of the blue a few days prior. Really my only complaints are I expected too much from the heater; it’s basically a plate that kinda warms the area so one cannot expect to be toasty under the kotatsu by the heating unit alone. I know I could have probably found a better unit but since this was for kicks and giggles, figured may as well try something “cheap” as I can always try to upgrade later. Thankfully the comforter keeps the warmth in so what little heat that is generated does help a bit. Beside the kotatsu not being that warm, probably need to find a bigger comforter as my current one is a little short; nothing too major but if I want the full heating experience really need to get a one that will completely wrap around you if possible. Also, may want to look into a back seat thingie so I can prompt myself better when seating in the area as it’s a pain to sit straight for long amounts of time (plus don’t get that much of the heat/comforter in that position).
Even with all my complaining, I still think it was well worth my money and a good experience in “building” something from “scratch.” Already pretty helpful with the weather getting colder, it’s nice to enjoy some consistent warm while relaxing under blankets watching videos without totally falling asleep ^^;;
BTW, I apologize for any horrible grammar or quickness of the post. Just got back from Las Vegs working on little sleep but wanted to post about the kotatsu before I forgot!
Really nice. Like the colors.
Sounds easy enough too. I might wanna try it out as well sometime to build one. Have to keep this post in mind.
low heat is probably /safer/ than anything. that’d be my #1 concern with building my own kotatsu…
I’m with omo. Maximizing the safety with heat involved is the main thing, I guess. Knowing my skills, I’d rather buy one than do it myself, mostly because I’d worry about burning the house down.
Nice ! You convince me to try to build my own kotatsu too (when I’ll have free time). Yeah low heat is safer, that’s dangerous to play with heat. A “bendable” kotatsu should be cool to save some space.
So where’d you get the brackets from if the heater didn’t come with them? Been thinking about doing this but couldn’t find any at 2 local hardware stores…
Brian, just had them laying around the house so I’ll be hard-pressed to tell you where we may have gotten them. I’m sure if you go to any hardware store you can find something similar that’ll work instead for you.
I live in Japan and have had a kotatsu for 8 years. Just this year, a friend recommended that I put a small square of carpet underneath the table legs. WOW, what a difference that made! I hadn’t realized so much heat had been escaping from underneath. It is so much cozier now.
my largest concern is over the table warping due to the heater.
That and setting the table/comforter/myself on fire…
I do wonder after 3 months, how is it holding up?
that’s so awesome! I was looking for a kotatsu and all of them were way out of my budget XD but I might be able to do this. or more likely get my brother to build it, but anway,