You’ll need an office chair mat – if you spend a lot of time on your chair and desk!

Chair mats are usually made out of sturdy plastic or hardwood material since these two materials are mostly used in the process of manufacturing office chairs. There are other materials to be aware of such as melamine, bamboo, and glass; these products tend to be more expensive than their plastic or wood counterparts though.

Chair mats also come in two sizes: standard and large. Standard chair mats are usually around 23 inches wide, while larger models can go up to 60 inches in widths. A good few inches above your standard chair mat would include an L-shape which is designed for use with corner desks. On average, it’s recommended that you purchase a chair mat which has an area at least 50 percent larger than your existing desk area.

Office chair mats generally have holes cut out on them so as to allow water on the surface of the flooring to drain away. The cut-out holes are normally found in a pattern with some mats having it drilled in a multi-pattern design while the rest have it done in a single drilled hole pattern. Such chair mats can also be bought with water drainage channels that are placed on either end of the mat. This type of mat is meant for people who regularly spill drinks or have leaky water bottles at their workstations.

Chair mats usually come with a warranty which most buyers see as an added bonus, but they do not last forever and would need replacement after months or even weeks of use depending on how often you use your desk and what surface it’s made from. Durable materials such as wood will wear down much slower than flimsy steel and plastic desktops.

When you’re shopping for a chair mat, know the dimensions of the desk it will be used on so that you’ll know what size to purchase. If your desk is large or has wires running under it, opt for a larger and thicker mat than usual – at least 4 inches thick to accommodate the cables. Some mats come with cutouts on either end where wires can poke out without damage to the mat itself.

Every office chair mat needs some kind of grip underneath it in order for it to stay put while you roll your chair around on top of it, but not all grips offer good traction. The best grip is one which allows the wheels to turn smoothly and freely without getting stuck too quickly. This ensures that your chair will move easily from point A to point B without straining the wheels or rolling over edges.

In addition, you’ll want to consider the feel beneath your feet – do you prefer a firm surface with support underneath, or one that is soft and plush? Some mats have a cushion-like feel while others are more firm; which one you choose depends on personal preference and how long you expect them to last because of wear and tear.

Office chair mats make work spaces safer and cleaner. Here are five ways to use an office chair mat to maximize your investment:

1       Keep food and drinks out of the way with a side mat

Examine the area around your office chair closely. Do you often find pesky crumbs or drops of coffee on the floor? An office chair mat will help prevent this problem by channeling spills toward the edge where it can be easily wiped up. However, even when not in use, putting hot drinks near a non-slip mat can reduce risk of burns due to condensation/sweating while working for extended periods.

2      Protect your carpet from scratches and tears

You might not realize it, but most office chairs can really do a number on your carpet. If you frequently find small holes and tears in the carpet around your office chair, then an office mat is just what you need. Not only will this help protect your floor from damage, but also add years of life to your carpet by keeping it cleaner for longer.

3      Reduce noise with a cushioned mat

When trying to complete work-related tasks in quiet environments such as at home or in the library, every little sound counts. Reducing distractions and creating a quiet environment can be crucial in some work settings, so using an office chair mat with added padding can help dampen loud noises while doing work or studying/reading without creating new distractions.

4      Protect your office chair

Purchasing an inexpensive office mat can protect not only your office carpets, but also the expensive machinery under you as well. If you make a habit of sliding your office chair around on its wheels or adjusting yourself during work or study breaks, these things can cause wear and tear over time to where it could damage the bearings for moving parts beneath it, requiring those parts to be replaced much sooner than they would have to be otherwise. Using a non-slip mat adds extra grip that will keep your entire set up in place while working or studying.

5      Use thicker mats for extra comfort

Office chairs come equipped with cushioned seats and armrests for increased comfort and support. These, too, can suffer from wear and tear over time with continued use. Adding a thicker mat under your office chair will provide even more cushion than it did before, so you won’t feel discomfort as easily over time.

6      Mats come in different sizes

Office chair mats are available in a variety of different sizes to fit your exact office chair. If you’re buying your first mat, measure the part where your computer screen rests to make sure it matches up with any advertised measurements before completing the purchase. If the size is off by even a little bit, it may not attach securely and provide full protection like intended. The standard length for any executive or leather-based chairs will have enough coverage underneath its seat area at least 33 inches long; this amount of measurement must not be overlooked for leather chairs. The last thing you would want is to have an office chair mat that isn’t long enough to cover the entire surface of your desk’s floor.

Office chairs come in all shapes and sizes so it can get a little tricky when the time comes around to measure one accurately for height purposes. An individual must sit on their office chair while being completely barefoot since slippers or socks need not be worn. Sitting upright with your back touching the lower area of your backrest, take notice of how tall your feet are relative to their desk set-up; there should be at least 10 inches worth of distance between both areas. If this isn’t the case, then visiting an office furniture store near you might help shed some light on the issue at hand.

7      Invest in a durable mat

A higher price doesn’t always equal better quality, but there’s no doubt that pricier mats will be made with more durable materials than cheaper options. Buying an expensive mat won’t do much good if it can’t handle all of the daily use you put it through. For heavy-duty products that can withstand a lot of pressure and all types of spills, you’ll want to go with one made out of dense rubber. These mats will last longer than hard plastic alternatives, which can crack if too much weight is applied or they get run over by an object (like the case when rolling furniture across them).

8      Consider value

The overall value is another aspect you should think about before purchasing an office chair mat. Measuring how long it takes for the pad to fall apart may not seem like a major factor in this instance, and might not even be top priority for many buyers either. However, it’s important not only because spills and debris need to be cleaned up on a daily basis but also due to potential safety hazards. Spending more on an office chair mat that can easily be replaced can end up saving you money in the long run.

9   Always check the warranty

Finally, always check whether or not your office chair mat comes with a warranty that allows for repairs and replacements during the coverage period if something goes wrong with it. Provided this is also backed by a company with a positive track record of customer service, finding an office chair mat should be much easier to do as well as consider overall. In conclusion, getting comfortable at work doesn’t have to cost you any extra money because there are high-quality mats out there that won’t break the bank upon purchase either. Keeping all these factors in mind before opting for one will make buying a whole lot easier.

The last thing you want to happen is to go through all the trouble of finding an office chair mat only to realize it doesn’t fit your chair properly or for other unforeseen complications that seem to occur when getting things done without being completely prepared beforehand. When all is said and done, just make sure you measure your current chair’s dimensions before buying anything so there are no surprises later on down the line. It would be a shame if you were forced to return an office chair mat simply because it didn’t fit past ordering so being prepared beforehand seems to be the safest bet overall.