How to make a DIY Kotatsu for >$300 in Canada!
Canadian winters are depressing, cold, and grey. So of course when I learned about kotatsu tables I immediately was interested in how to get one in my own home.
A kotatsu is a table low to the ground, like a coffee table. It has a heater underneath as well as a blanket and a top layer of wood that you can use to have dinner on or play board games.
The table itself is supposed to be a special place for family and friends to gather within the home to socialize while staying warm and cozy. Apparently cats love the warmth as well. My cat Ponyo is always sleeping on our radiators. So I think this table would be perfect in my cold basement.
I started looking online and all of the options that I found were over $1000 CAD excluding taxes and shipping. So I started thinking of ways to DIY this project.
Materials I used to make my kotatsu:
Lack from IKEA: I used this large coffee table from IKEA. I used it because it has an extra piece of wood used as a shelf but just moved it to the top so I could sandwich the blanket between the table top and the extra piece of wood. Check out this LACK from IKEA.
https://applink.ikea.com/tY8M9r9M4w--00104291--ca--en
Quilt: I got this quilt from amazon but most thick blankets will give you the authentic kotasu feeling. SLPR Secret Garden Cotton... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01G4NYBYM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Kotatsu heater: This kotatsu heater is from Amazon. I decided to get this kotatsu heater as I am very scared of getting a normal space heater since I don’t know if that would be safe suffocated under a table. This heater is meant for this purpose so safety first. https://a.co/d/3TZNnhx
Voltage converter: finally I got this voltage converter as the heater is from Japan and won’t plug into my Canadian outlets. https://a.co/d/1PXe2Zy
With all of my materials collected I put them all together. The whole process took under an hour of work with help from a few friends (thanks Jeanette and Frank!). All I had to do was use a power drill and a screwdriver to attach the kotatsu heater to the bottom of the table with some L shaped brackets.
Instead of splurging on a proper kotatsu blanket, I just used an old thick duvet and sandwiched it between the tabletop and the extra piece of wood. I think it's super comfy and I will definitely be getting a proper kotatsu blanket on my next trip to Japan!
Overall I spent a total of $235 Canadian dollars (without tax). I think this project is long overdue, even though I have only just heard about this amazing concept about a week ago haha! Imagine all of the cold winters I have gone without this! I would compare the feeling to sitting in a warm bath, without the hassle of getting wet.
Here's to cozy winters from here on out!
