If you’re working from home, you’re probably spending a lot of time sitting at your desk. Doesn’t it make sense to make it a comfortable and functional area?
The best office setup takes care of each detail, including the chair mat. But chair mats can be expensive – what if you don’t want to spring for one?
Fortunately, there are ways you can protect your floor without breaking the budget. Here are some ideas for alternatives to office chair mats.
Alternatives to Chair Mats
Chair mats are great, but they aren’t particularly eye-pleasing, no?
For this reason, many homeowners seek alternatives to traditional chair mats, and it’s easy to see why. With so many options, what are the best chair mat alternatives money can buy?
The best chair mat alternatives include:
- ⬥ chairs without wheels
- ⬥ standing desks and
- ⬥ rugs
Another great option is to use felt pads with chair legs because they’re both discreet and smooth. Otherwise, bell glides are an excellent chair mat replacement because they allow the chair to glide easily.
Check out these chair mat alternatives to see if one is right for you.
1. Rug
Rugs are an excellent substitute for chair mats, and they are also quite fashionable. They not only protect your flooring from the chair, but they also add a decorative touch to the room.
You can find rugs that match the aesthetic of the room or that create a contrast.
To be sure, depending on the thickness of the rug, rugs are not always suitable for chairs with wheels. Rugs that are not too dense are ideal for office chairs because they allow you to move or roll the chair easily.
Look for rugs that complement your personal style while still allowing for easy movement. The last thing you want is a thick rug that requires you to lift the chair each time you move it.
Rugs are an excellent chair mat alternative for homeowners who are concerned with visual appeal.
They come in many styles, shapes and sizes, so it’s easy to find something that suits your needs. This option is easy to transport (just move the rug to clean under it) and it’s easy to clean when needed.
However, if you have plush carpet, this isn’t the best option, as it makes it difficult to roll your chair easily.
Felt Pads for Chair Legs
Chair leg felt pads are a simple, effective, and unobtrusive alternative to chair mats.
Chair leg felt pads cost between $3 and $15 and are well worth the money. These pads are easily attached to the bottom of the legs and protect the flooring from scuffs and scratches.
The advantage of felt pads is that they are not visible unless you lift the chair and look under the legs. Unfortunately, felt pads only last up to 6 months and must be replaced after 3 months in many cases.
However, considering how inexpensive chair leg felt pads are, this is still a viable option. Chair leg felt pads are an excellent option for homeowners who want to show off their flooring without covering it with a chair mat.
While this safeguards your flooring, if you have caster wheels on your office chair, this won’t be an option for you.
2. Chairs with no rollers
If you use a chair without wheels and opt for felt pads or other floor protection, you won’t need to bother with a chair mat.
You should still exercise caution when using regular chairs to avoid dragging them across the floor.
This option works well for wood flooring and, of course, is less expensive because you don’t have to buy a chair mat.
Note that this option isn’t recommended for vinyl or marble floors, as the legs of regular chairs can easily scratch and scuff these materials.
3. Standing desks
Finally, do you want a chair mat alternative that is both functional and healthy? If so, consider standing desks, which eliminate the need for a chair.
Standing desks are becoming increasingly popular because of their health benefits and unique take on office work.
You don’t need a chair mat because, well, standing desks don’t require a chair. That means you can enjoy your flooring as is without having to cover it with a mat.
Keep in mind that when you choose a standing desk, you may still want a chair to sit down on from time to time. In this case, a small, foldable stool can do the trick.
Even so, standing desks are one of the most useful and unique chair mat alternatives available.
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