Last updated: January 3rd, 2024
It can be a common problem: you have the perfect home office set up, but damage to your carpet is becoming glaringly obvious. Forget pets, kids, and regular use, the sneaky item damaging your expensive office carpet is likely your office chair.
Continuous use of wheeled office chairs can spell disaster for the delicate fibres that construct your carpet.
In this guide, we review everything you need to know when deciding how to protect your floor from office chairs.
1. Buy A Chair Mat.
Without question, the easiest way to avoid damage is to invest in a chair mat. These are practical, affordable, and durable. A chair mat:
- Is a large, flat piece of material that you place under your office chair.
- Allows you to maneuver your chair without damaging the floor.
- Can be made from various materials, including plastic, vinyl, and carpet. Transparent plastic chair mats are a popular choice since they blend in with the floor.
Buying a chair floor mat comes with a few caveats. We recommend floor mats that cover the entire length of your desk and several feet back, providing you with enough surface area to glide easily in your chair.
(Related: 7 Best Budget Office Chairs).
You should also consider:
- Mat thickness: The thicker the mat, the more resilient it will be. If your carpet pile is thick, you will also need a thicker mat to prevent the chair from sinking and damaging the carpet.
- Mat material: A plastic chair mat can crack or become brittle after years of use. We suggest something more responsive, like laminate.
- Mat texture: Depending on the surface of your office floor (whether tiled, floorboards, or carpet), a laminate, hardwood, or carpet mat would work best.
Important!
Your office floor will determine the type of mat you buy. You’ll find that most chair mats are reasonably priced, and you won’t have to break the bank in order to protect your carpeted floor or hardwood floor.
2. Buy A Stationary Chair.
A stationary chair without wheels is another sensible option to protect your carpet.
Whilst these are generally more aesthetically pleasing (since you can choose one that matches your space), you will undoubtedly uncover some downsides.
Keep in mind:
- Your need for mobility in and around the space on a stationary chair.
- The indentation left in the carpet following hours of use.
Expert Tip.
The best fix for chair indentations (or table legs) in your carpet is unconventional. Place a small ice cube in the indentation and allow it to melt. The carpet fibres will spring back to their normal state.
3. Buy A Standing Desk.
If you haven’t already invested in a standing desk, you should!
- The more time you spend standing, the less you’ll use your office chair – the less wear on the carpet.
Apart from that, standing desks are an essential office investment, especially post-pandemic, with the increasing popularity of WFH arrangements.
If you work shorter hours and fewer days, a standing desk could be a solution to expand your home office options.
The benefits of using a standing desk include the following:
- Increased alertness and productivity.
- Improved posture and circulation.
- Reduced risk of obesity and chronic diseases.
You can discover our guide to the best standing desks of 2024 here.
Important!
If you have back or neck problems, standing for long periods is not the best idea. Buy an adjustable desk that will allow you to sit and stand throughout the day.
It’s worth noting that regular movement is paramount for your mental health as well as your physical health. Not only is sitting all day detrimental to your health, but so is not taking breaks. Be sure to:
- Schedule breaks throughout the day to eat and hydrate.
- Take breaks to step outside into the fresh air and natural light.
4. Replace Your Office Chair Wheels.
We recommend that you purchase rolling chairs with wheels specifically built for carpeted use (instead of a stationary chair). You could also buy soft chair casters that you can swap onto your current office chair.
Rolling chairs often have smooth, rubber wheels and are less likely to damage carpets than chairs with traditional reels.
Discover our guide to the best office chairs here.
Important!
Ensure your chair is adaptable to different wheels and has all the correct tools before purchasing new ones to swap over!
5. Buy A Better Quality Carpet.
Whilst office chair wheels can damage your carpet, the quality of your carpet is also a contributing factor.
Expert Tip.
Regardless of furniture or foot traffic, a lower-quality carpet will likely need replacing after only a few years of use. Be wary of this when purchasing.
So what makes a high-quality carpet?
- Fibre: Nylon is the most durable fibre and can withstand heavy traffic. It’s also resistant to staining and crushing. Polyester is another good option. Whilst not as durable as nylon, it’s less expensive and still looks great.
- Backing: The carpet backing is also essential. Quality support will keep the carpet in place and help it resist wear and tear. A cheaper backing will break down over time, causing the carpet to bunch up and loosen.
- Pile: The carpet pile is another factor to consider. Low-pile carpets are more durable and easier to clean, but high-pile carpets are more comfortable and luxurious. We recommend a mid-tier option that balances your need for quality and comfort.
Whatever your choice, buying a high-quality carpet for your office is necessary to prevent damage by rolling office chairs.
Expert Tip.
Opt for the highest quality carpet you can afford. You will thank yourself in the future.
Final Words About Protecting Carpet From Office Chairs.
Using an office chair on unprotected office floors can permanently damage your carpet.
By employing the preventative steps above, you can protect your floor and return to work without worrying about damage.
If you’re willing to spend a little extra money, purchasing a stationary chair or adaptable wheels for your office chair are also fantastic ways to protect your carpet in the long run.
Don’t forget to check out standing desks, too.
If you’re about to renovate your home office space or replace your carpet, choose the most durable carpet you can, and you will enjoy the space for years to come.
Steven
Cody says:
Hi,
Do you know 9am HOME standing desks?
I want to know how about their desk.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Cody, I’ve never seen them before but I took a quick look for you and I’m 90% certain it’s another Jiecang desk. You can tell by the design of the feet and the lowest height (60cm). Desky, Omnidesk, Stand Desk are all pretty much the same.
Cody says:
Which one do you mean? Pesk or Robin series? I am interested in their Robin series, it looks unique and beautiful. I can’t find anyone like it in Desky.
Steven McConnell says:
I was talking about the Pesk Series. Robin series does look attractive and unusual, but I’m usually not a fan of tubular legs as they tend to be more prone to wobble. I can’t say whether this is the case in this instance, as I haven’t physically tested the desk myself. The 10 year warranty is reassuring, however. I wish they offered a risk-free trial to let you test out the legs!
Cody says:
Thank you very much, Steven; I will take your comments into consideration.
Erin says:
Do you know much about Kangadesks? There are Australian as well.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Erin, its another Jiecang standing desk. Same as Desky, Omni, Stand Desk etc. The design of the feet and 60-125cm height range gives it away. The desk appears to currently be currently on sale for $299, which is an absolute steal and I’m wondering why they’re selling their stock at 1/3 of RRP. Regardless, even if they’re about to go bust, I’d still buy one at that price.
EDIT: Be careful. Fakespot showed these warnings while browsing their website: “Multiple eCommerce scam experiences detected, Poor customer service”
Suzy says:
Hi – given all the desks are so similar, is it possible to mix a desk from one brand with a drawer accessory from another? I don’t like the UpDown desk metal drawer (hangs very low so likely to impede leg space) but don’t mind the Desky one – can these be mixed and matched?
Thank you for the reviews! Super helpful.
Steven McConnell says:
Yes, it’s possible to play switcheroo. But you may want to consider that UpDown design is curved, so it will hurt less if you do jam your thighs into it. Desky’s meanwhile, is quite angular. Pro tip: you can also find a bunch of inexpensive slimline desk drawers on Amazon.
jason says:
I’ve spent far, far too much time agonising over which desk to get haha, definitely more than a week. Very happy that you’ve added the omni-desk to your catalogue. That was the one I was considering the most untill you came you with a review saying that it was more wobbly!
Anyways, do you have an opinion on the new updown desk KLIK Series? Its advertises to be significanlty ligher while having better (on paper) specs
Thanks!
Evelyn says:
Hi Steven, great blog post – thank you! I’m also wondering whether you have any opinion or insights on the new UpDown Desk KLIK series…they come at $100 more expensive (for the same size/table top) but seem to be ‘better’ according to the UpDown website.
Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Evelyn, thanks! I will have a full review of the KLIK up around February 2025. It’s not necessarily a better standing desk – but it is lighter, less bulky and promises easier assembly.
Ben Clements says:
Hi. I’m interested to know more about whether I actually could fit the Desky cable management system in the Omnidesk? I’ve had a look at the omnidesks in person at the showroom and it looks like their cable management trays screw on (vs the clip in at the edges of the desk with the Desky tray). The desky system also has the power plugs that snap into place in the tray.
So I’m curious to know if you have you tried it, and if so how did you do it please? Or is your thinking that you’d just buy the power boards and plugs from Desky and rest them in the Omnidesk tray?
I’m stuck, because I prefer the Omnidesks but I really love the idea of a single power lead!
Thanks
Steven McConnell says:
I just had a new Omnidesk delivered to my house. Give me about two weeks to assemble it, test it out and report back.
Sunni says:
Thanks for your very helpful (and funny) review. I used the information to to buy a Desky standing desk in record time – no consumer agonising for weeks, as is my usual practice. It has a pneumatic up/down mechanism, so lets see how that goes.
Steven McConnell says:
Ha! You’re welcome, Sunni. Glad I helped you cut down on the agonising. The pneumatic mechanism is an interest choice – let me know what you think of it?
Amber says:
Hi Steven,
Really great and insightful review. It was refreshing to see something that wasn’t filled with ChatGPT affiliate link garbage!
I’m curious about your opinion on L-shaped standing desks? I know that Desky, UpDown and a few other retailers offer these types of desks and I would assume they are more strong and stable, but I’m not an expert and I can also imagine the opposite being true due to the irregular shape. I’ve been looking at these types of desks because I think their shape suits my space the best. Do you have any knowledge on this or do you only have experience with regular rectangular shaped desks?
Steven McConnell says:
Thanks, Amber. Did you know that I have a L-shaped standing desk review? Search for “arielle best corner standing desks” and you’ll find it.
Melissa says:
Hi Steven great article thank you!
I’ve spent way to much time on this, and I’m now leaning towards the Artiss thanks to your review.
I’m wondering if you have any insight into ergonomic chairs for the home office also?
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Melissa, thanks! The Artiss is a great budget pick. I’ve written numerous ergonomic chair reviews – Google “arielle best ergonomic office chairs” to find them 🙂
tania says:
hey are there any other manual desks apart from the ikea ones you don’t recommend, that you would recommend? I prefer the idea of not needing electricity to move between stand up and sit down but maybe that doesn’t really exist?
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Tania, all of the premium brands (UpDown, Desky, etc) offer a manual crank model. Definitely the way to go if you want to avoid electronics. But TBH I suggest you reconsider. Electronics are very reliable these days – and hand-cranking your standing desk is more annoying than you’d expect.
Adam says:
Hi, do you know much about the UpDown Klik vs Pro system?
Steven McConnell says:
The company has shipped their new Klik standing desk to me yesterday. Stay tuned!
Scott Long says:
You mention in your review of the Up Down Pro that you would get the cable holes and grommets done, but it looks like your (very pretty) Messmate desk doesn’t have them. Is your recommendation a hindsight reflection, or did you choose not to spoil the look of the desk with the grommets? Without the grommets can you can still run the cables behind the desk and into the cable management tray? Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Scott, I said in the review that grommets and holes are a great idea, not that I have them. They’re less important if your standing desk faces a wall. But if you have an open-plan style home office like mine, they’ll make your workspace look much cleaner. PS You can still run cables into the tray without the holes and grommets – the cables will simply run behind the desk.
Isaac Jenkinson says:
Hello,
Have you had a chance to try the new UpDown Lyft model? Curious about its stability vs the pro.
Steven McConnell says:
Isaac,
Not yet. On first glance, it looks like a budget alternative to the “big brothers”. It’s probably pretty good (UpDown has a reputation to maintain), but I’m of the opinion that buying cheap means you pay more in the long term. I’d save up another few hundred bucks and get the Pro. You can often get a melamine or bamboo-topped model on sale for around $900.
David says:
This is a great site and will help me decide on which desk to buy. Have you heard any good/bad reviews about the Blacklyte Atlas Lite or Ergo-Rise II from BDO furniture?
Steven McConnell says:
David, thanks for the kind words. Never heard of the Atlas Lite until you mentioned it. Looks like a decent gaming desk that borrows heavily from Secretlab Magnus – but why not just buy a real Magnus instead?
As for the Ergo-Rise – looks like a decent desk, but its height controller is outdated. The best standing desk brands have upgraded to OLED controllers.
Ben says:
Thank you for writing this review Steven; really helpful to break through the BS.
By any chance have you used or hold an opinion on Vertilift desks?
Steven McConnell says:
You’re welcome. God, I haven’t even heard of them – but thanks for the heads-up. There are too many standing desks on the Australian market. Obviously I haven’t used these in person, but I’m almost certain they’re yet another Jiecang variant (i.e., frames are identical to Desky). You can tell by the identical max and min heights, as well as the design of the foot.
Eloise says:
Hey Steven, I was recommended the Alwyn or Octavia (Living Fusion) 140cm sit and stand desks from Temple and Webster which don’t even get a mention in your review. Would you bother with any of their brands ? (I may have dodged a bullet by finding your review!)
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Louise, I haven’t had first-hand experience with the T&W standing desk (must add one to my list!).
However, I had a look through the specs for you.
It doesn’t look too bad, actually – considering the price. If you can’t stretch your budget to ~$950 for an entry-level UpDown or Desky, this could be a good option.
Jordan says:
Hi Steven, Thanks for the review! I am starting out with a home office set up and need a new chair and sit stand desk. I’m a student but I prefer to buy things I know will last, but I don’t have too much experience with sit stand desks. I initially thought to buy the Artiss but have considered buying the Acacia UpDown Pro+ so I know it lasts and I don’t have to buy another desk in a couple of years. Is it worth the price jump for me? Thanks!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Jordan, the Artiss and the UpDown desks sell at two very different price points. If you have the budget, I suggest you stretch to the UpDown standing desk – you won’t regret it.
jason says:
I know you’ve disqualified the flexispot e7 pro so the e7 max plus would probably also be disqualified, but a quad motor 4 column desk frame at a prices competitive with UpDown desk is incredibly tempting. Plus 15 year warrenty (if the company lasts that long)
Have you had a chance to take a look? Its like half the price of the desky quad!
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Jason, great observation. I haven’t included quad standing desks here because they’ve traditionally attracted a niche consumer – someone who needs to place a tonne of gear on the desktop and doesn’t mind paying 2X the usual price. But Flexispot’s sharp pricing on their quad desk certainly changes things. I haven’t seen one in the wild yet – but the specs look promising.
Steven