Guide to Renovating a Japanese Room into a Western-Style Room: Pros, Cons, and Cost Range

In recent years, floor plans without Japanese-style rooms have become more common in both condominiums and detached houses. Renovations that convert a Japanese-style room into a Western-style room are also common, and the change is entirely possible. However, it is important to make the decision after understanding the advantages and disadvantages. This article explains the differences between Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, typical costs, and the right timing for making the change.

Why are Western-style rooms more popular?

The biggest reason Western-style rooms are becoming more popular is that they help reduce costs in newly built properties. Japanese-style rooms become more expensive when they use earthen walls or high-quality tatami. Another reason for their popularity is that furniture suited to Western-style rooms has become the mainstream as lifestyles have changed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Japanese-style room?

Japanese-style rooms have cost-related disadvantages, but they also offer many benefits that should not be overlooked.

Easy to regulate temperature and humidity

Because earthen walls and tatami are natural materials, they have the ability to automatically regulate indoor humidity. This makes the room more comfortable even in humid seasons and reduces the need to rely on humidifiers.

They have a relaxing effect

The igusa rush used in tatami has a scientifically proven relaxing effect. It may also promote better sleep and mental stability, which makes tatami a practical choice for a bedroom.

Suitable for raising children

Tatami offers more cushioning than wood flooring and reduces the risk of injury when children fall. It also provides good sound absorption and sound insulation, which can help prevent noise-related issues.

Highly versatile

A Japanese-style room can be used as a bedroom, guest room, children’s room, and more, offering excellent versatility for multiple purposes. That flexibility is one of its main appeals. Once the futons are folded away, the room can immediately be used as open space.

Disadvantages of a Japanese-style room

On the other hand, tatami requires regular replacement, which adds maintenance costs. Other drawbacks include the risk of dust mites, the tendency to show furniture marks, and the difficulty of placing heavy furniture on it.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Western-style room?

One of the biggest strengths of a Western-style room is how easy it is to maintain.

Easy maintenance

Wood flooring is easy to clean and does not require regular replacement like tatami. It also helps keep the risk of dust mites low.

More furniture options

A Western-style room allows you to place large furniture such as beds, sofas, and tables without modification. The greater freedom in interior design is another advantage.

Disadvantages of a Western-style room

Wood flooring makes footsteps echo more easily and produces a harder impact when someone falls. These are important drawbacks. In winter, the cold from the floor is also easier to feel.

When is the best time to convert a Japanese-style room into a Western-style room?

The most cost-efficient time to renovate is when tatami replacement is due, roughly every 10 to 15 years. Because the cost of replacing tatami can be redirected toward converting the room into a Western-style space, additional costs can be kept down. It is also a good opportunity when a tenant moves out or when major repairs are already being planned.

What points should you keep in mind when changing a Japanese-style room into a Western-style room?

When planning the renovation, check the following points.

• Choosing the flooring material: Choose flooring with a high sound-insulation rating (for condominiums, check the building rules)
• Changing the walls and ceiling: Consider changing earthen walls to wallpaper as well
• Changing storage: Convert a traditional built-in closet into a wardrobe closet
• Eliminating level differences: Consider barrier-free accessibility at the same time

What is the typical cost of turning a Japanese-style room into a Western-style room?

The cost of renovating a Japanese-style room into a Western-style room is typically about 250,000 to 1,000,000 yen for a 6-tatami room.

Work item	Estimated cost
Tatami→Wood flooring	100,000 to 250,000 yen
Wallpapering the walls and ceiling	50,000 to 150,000 yen
Traditional built-in closet→Wardrobe closet	50,000 to 200,000 yen
Fusuma→Door replacement	50,000 to 150,000 yen
Full renovation	250,000 to 1,000,000 yen

Costs vary depending on the size of the room, the materials you choose, and whether the property is a condominium or a detached house.condominium waterproofing work together, it can be more efficient to plan them at the same time.

What should rental property owners keep in mind when converting a Japanese-style room into a Western-style room?

When a rental property owner is considering converting a Japanese-style room into a Western-style room, it is necessary to carefully judge whether the change is likely to improve occupancy rates. In older properties, changing a Japanese-style room into a Western-style room often improves competitiveness significantly. However, typical management fees should also be taken into account when calculating return on investment.