The convenience of rolling chairs is difficult to skip on. Chair wheels make getting into position at a desk or table a breeze, but they wreak havoc on flooring in the process. Even wheelless chairs can do more harm.
But have considered a rug for your rolling office chair? Doesn’t it sound like a more convenient solution than changing chairs?
A rug is the answer to carpeted flooring or area rugs being ruined by chair legs and wheels. It protects the carpet beneath your chair while also making it easy to slide or roll it in and out.
In this article, I have picked the best rug for rolling office chair for you. Continue reading to find the best one for yourself!
Types of Rugs You Can Use Under Your Rolling Office Chair
Your rolling office chair rug can be an addition of comfort and texture to a drab, unmotivating office. However, it’s critical not to focus solely on the aesthetics; it must also be functional and long-lasting.
Your rug will be subjected to a great deal of movement, whether from your rolling office chair or human traffic. Without a doubt, the ideal workplace rug must be office chair friendly.
Here are the types of rugs ideal for a home office:
Hand-knotted
These rugs are the most durable of all, withstanding years of activity while still looking wonderful.
Hand-tufted
While they aren’t as robust as hand-knotted rugs, they are less expensive and can endure for years, depending on the quality of the material.
Low Pile
Low pile carpets are the most common choice for home offices since they work well with heavy office equipment and furniture.
Furthermore, low pile rugs with a flat and tight weave are less likely to snag or interfere with the movement of your office chair wheels.
Wool and Polypropylene Rugs
I recommend looking for rugs made of wool or polypropylene with a pile height of 6cm or less, as both of these materials are long-lasting and suitable for use in your home office.
If you’re most worried about the “feel” of your rug, go with wool, which is warm and soft to the touch.
Polypropylene, on the other hand, is made to look like natural fibers, making it easy to clean but harsher to the touch.
But Which Rugs Should You Avoid?
There’s no denying that shaggy, thick pile rugs are visually appealing and feel even better underfoot. Moreover, they require more upkeep – do you really want to extend your working day?
Top 5 Rugs: My Honest Review
A Quick Overview
| Products | Best Overall – Floortex | Premium Choice – Anji | Budget Pick – Deflecto FashionMat | Glass Chair Mat – Lorell | Best Polycarbonate Mat – Amazon Basics |
| Size | 47 X 35 Inches | 36 x 48 Inches | 35 x 40 Inches | 36 x 46 inches | 30 x 47 inches |
| Material | Polycarbonate | Polyester | Vinyl | Tempered Glass | Polycarbonate |
| Weaving Quality | Not Woven | Woven | Not Woven | Not Woven | Not Woven |
| Wash & Cleaning | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Best Overall – Floortex
Key Features:
- Made of Polycarbonate; Double the strength of PVC
- Transparent
- 100% recyclable
- Pet Safe
- Toxin free
- GREENGUARD certified
- Available in many sizes
Tough
It protects your hard floor from being scratched caused by moving chair wheels. It is made of polycarbonate. This is a very strong and durable material that won’t break, curl, change color, or smell.
Moreover, a polycarbonate mat won’t sink in to the wheels of a chair if it is used correctly. That’s why it passes for a best rug for rolling office chair
Comfortable and Stylish
The transparency of this mat lets your floor show through. So, it won’t look out of place in your home or office.
Green Safe
It is pthalate and other toxic chemical free. Moreover, it is 100% recyclable.
The Good
Even if you are a big person, you can count on this mat to do whatever you like. No matter how much you roll around or put pressure, the mat won’t crack.
With the textured side of the mat, your chair is able to roll readily, but not so quickly that you risk losing my footing.
The durability makes it last long term. The quality is superior! Moreover, they perform a 9/10 on hard floors.
The Bad
You might snag your feet on the sharp corners if you are not careful. It would be a huge improvement if the edges were beveled.Also, as it doesn’t lay flat, crumbs, grime, and dust collect under the mat’s borders.
Summary
The Cleartex Ultimat chair mat is the pinnacle of quality and toughness which shows in it’s price. It is twice as strong as PVC and has the added features of not scratching, cracking, buckleing, curling at the edges, discoloring, or smelling. It is also green friendly and ensures safety for allergic people.
Premium Choice – Anji
Key Features:
- 100% Jacquard Woven Polyester Rug Surface
- Aesthetics: Colourful Patterns
- 1/4″ Thick – For Low Pile Carpets & Hard Surfaces
- 100% Phthalate-free PVC Core
- Available in many sizes
Comfortable and Strong
Over the tight-woven polyester rug, chair casters roll smoothly and effortlessly over the surface without getting stuck. The middle layer is made of phthalate-free PVC, which is strong and long-lasting.
Variable Thicknesses
The 1/4-inch is best for hard surfaces and commercial carpet, and 1/2-inch is best for all surfaces, even plush carpet, like rugs and carpet.
Skid-free
Rubberized dots on the non-skid felt backing help keep the mat in place on any floor type, including hard surfaces and carpet. They are easy to clean and make a safe, non-slip surface.
Green Friendly
The amazing ability of natural fibers and recycled materials to be used again and again makes a lot of new environmentally-friendly options possible at a time when they are desperately needed.
The Good
Unlike other strong “ugly” rugs, these have an aesthetic advantage. Perfectly made out of sturdy material with little non-slip dots on the bottom.
You get the item folded in half, not rolled up, and it’s flat when you open it up. Their build allows putting together several mats to make a bigger one. The chair rolls smoothly on it.
The Bad
Putting rubber-backed rugs on a laminate floor can damage it. Sometimes, the chair mat moves because the chair moves.
Summary
Overall, it is a beautiful rug that makes the home office chair a lot more comfortable and easy to use. Extremely good idea for a rug for a desk or office chair that is both durable and stylish. Moreover, the rigid mat has just the right amount of traction for your feet.
Budget Pick – Deflecto FashionMat
Key Features:
- Vinyl rug
- Aesthetics: Colourful
- 1/4″ Thick – For Low Pile Carpets & Hard Surfaces
- 100% Phthalate-free PVC Core
- Available in many sizes and colours
Hard Floor Friendly
The printed laminate vinyl chair rug protects hard floors and flat pile carpeted surfaces from wear, scratches, and spills while also protecting your chair.
The 35″ by 40″ non-studded rectangle chair mat is designed for use on hard floors and flat pile carpets up to 1/4″ thick.
Visually Beautiful
These are available in three different designs to match your workstation style and color scheme. The rugs look classic and elegant, yet forceful and sturdy.
Safe for Floor, Chair and Environment
You can prevent wear and tear on your chair while also protecting your floor surfaces from wear, scratches, and spills. The phthalate-free mix offers a safe work environment while still providing long-lasting performance.
Non-studded Bottom Surface
It has a non-studded bottom surface that provides outstanding non-skidding gripping capability on hard surfaces and up to 1/4″ thick flat pile carpets.
The Good
This vibrant and playful rug is quite adaptable. It’s also made of high-quality laminate and is extremely easy to clean.
Moreover, it’s quite well built for a variety of purposes and durability. In case of spills, they could be simply wiped away.
The Bad
Can have ruts due to rolling chair. In which case it is non-functional with just the prettiness. Some do not like the thinness of the vinyl. They may not be as withstanding either.
Summary
Overall, it is a versatile and useful rug for a variety of purposes. I would highly recommend this rug to anyone looking to protect their flooring or simply add a burst of color to a room.
Glass Chair Mat – Lorell
Key Features:
- Tempered Glass Mat
- Aesthetics: Clear and Modern
- Claims a 1000lbs support
- Smooth surface on both sides
- Comes with attachable feet
Good Weight Support
In terms of the glass itself, it appears to be of excellent quality. It is thick enough to easily support 500+ lbs when spread out like a regular chair.
Moreover, there will be no impressions or dents left by the casters of the chair.
Includes Small ‘Feet’
Each baggie comes with four, a total of eight, and the feet are quite thin (1/16″ approximately). These work wonderful for a hard flooring surface (tile, wood, linoleum, etc.). They may not be suitable for carpet.
Lifetime Warranty
No glass mat on the market gives lifetime warranty. Although you would expect them to last forever for the price. This mat gives a limited lifetime warranty to the users.
Ease of Operation
This tempered glass chair mat is the perfect width and length to fit under a desk. This allows rolling the chair forward and back as far as it needs, without it rolling over the edge.
The Good
Very durable and comfortable within reasonable price. Even on a carpet, moisture does not accumulate beneath the mat (visibly). Scratch-resistant material ensures smoothness and protection for a long time.
The Bad
Although the manufacturer claims to provide an easy-to-clean design, it is a bit difficult to keep the mat spot clean. Mopping doesn’t work. Additionally it lacks a beveled edge.
Summary
To sum up, it is one of the best glass mats out there. However, it can be too thick for chair to roll over edges easily and it also slides on rugs. These aside, the mat is a good choice.
Best Polycarbonate Mat – Amazon Basics
Key Features:
- Made of Polycarbonate
- Transparent
- 100% recyclable
- Toxin free
- Available in many sizes
Protects Carpets
The office chair mat protects carpet and rug surfaces from caster or wheel-based chair damage at the desk and computer workstation.
Designed for 0.25 to 0.75 inch thick low to medium pile carpets and rugs. They also keep shoes from getting dirty and wet.
Ergonomic
The softly textured rolling surface provides high impact resistant. It is easy to glide, allowing for regulated chair movement.
Polycarbonate is the perfect surface for caster-based chairs due to its high rigidity.
Stays in Place
The padding is at least 0.5 inches thick. This keeps the mat in place on low and medium pile carpets.
Green Friendly
Includes a rectangular polycarbonate mat that is free of phthalates, tin, lead, and cadmium and has no odor or emissions.
The Good
Unlike vinyl and some other plastics, it instantly flattens and stays flat. While in use, it will not curl, cup, or flex. On carpeted floors, the gripper rear underside ensures optimal stability.
Easy to clean, no chemicals required for optimal results; durable and hard-wearing for long-term protection
The Bad
The large versions of this mat come “rolled up” with a shipping tape band that keeps them where they should be. You would need to put a lot of weight on it to let it slowly unwind from the bottom of the roll.
Summary
Although people rave about the mat, it’s cracking around 2 months of usage has been widely reported. Unpacking is quite a hassle too. However, they are an economic choice.
How to Choose the Best Rug for Rolling Office Chairs (Buying Guide)
In an eight-hour workday, an office worker changes their chair an average of 300 times. As an ergonomic item, rugs also reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries.
Chair casters can harm rugs, carpets, and other floor coverings, which is why rugs designed specifically for rolling office chairs are necessary.
When it comes to selecting a rolling office chair rug, you should keep three things in mind:
- The kind of flooring do you have
- 2) the size of your workspace
- 3) the arrangement of your office furniture.
Based on these things, here’s what you should consider while buying rugs for your rolling office chair:
Thickness
Is your flooring carpeted or hard? Ask this before selecting the thickness.
It’s critical to select a thick enough rug for your flooring. A rug that is too thin cannot protect the flooring. They might tear in a matter of weeks.
Sizing up is a good idea if you’re not sure. The thickness does add to the comfort, protection, and support of the chair. But it’s different for carpeted vs. non-carpeted floors. The standard is –
Hard Floor – Rug should be 1/8″ thick; with no cleats.
Low Pile – Rug should be 1/8″ thick.
Medium Pile – Rug should be up to 3/16″ thick
Plush Pile – Rug should be up to 3/16″ or thicker
Note: The backs of carpet chair rugs are cleated to prevent slides that ruin hard floor finishes.
Now how would you determine the thickness of a carpet? Straighten the end of a paper clip, then push it down into the carpet, through the backing, and to the floor.
When the paper clip is flush with the carpet, grab it. (Make sure you’re not laying your hand on the carpet.) The distance between your fingers and the end of the paper clip should be measured. That’s how thick the carpet is.
Size
What is the size of your “roll area?” Do you prefer to remain seated at your desk or go from your desk to your file cabinet?
It is critical to select a rug for your rolling office chair that is the appropriate size for your work area. Determine the locations of your workspace’s most remote places and select a mat that will cover that region.
Avoid purchasing a huge rug that will have to be stored below office furniture. Rolling chair rugs are not intended to provide support for anything other than yourself and your office chair.
Can’t seem to find a chair mat that would completely cover your desk without sagging under your furniture? Choose a smaller chair mat with beveled edges so that you may roll on and off more easily when sitting.
Shape
Once you’ve calculated how large your chair mat will need to be, you may choose a design from a variety of options. Chair mats are available in three basic shapes: the light bulb, the lip, and the rectangle.
Rectangular chair mats are the most adaptable and may be used with the majority of office desk arrangements. For corner and l-shaped desks, light bulb mats are the most appropriate choice.
If you can manage to keep these criterias in mind, you’ll find yourself owning a satisfying and long lasting rug for rolling office chair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What kind of chair mat is best for hardwood floors?
The best chair mat for protecting your hardwood floors is the Gorilla Grip Premium Polycarbonate Chair Mat.
Will a chair rug ruin my carpet?
A heavier chair rug will break down the fibers of the carpet and damage the carpet
Conclusion
When selecting the best rug for a rolling office chair, the size is one of the most crucial considerations. The rug should be chosen with consideration for the size and proportions of the room in order to establish balance and assist ground the room.
Purchasing a little rug for a large room, for example, will make the space appear disjointed and uninspiring.
Another thing to consider is the placement of the rug; these two elements will work together to create the appearance of a professionally planned office.
Hopefully, this guide will inspire you to buy the perfect comfort for your office rolling experience!
