How to pick a desk mat that you'll actually use

Buying a desk mat shouldn't be complicated. You need the right size for your desk, a material that works for how you use it, and ideally something that doesn't look terrible. Here's what actually matters.

Start with measuring your space

Before you look at designs or materials, measure your desk. Specifically, measure the area where you actually work. Not the whole desk, just the part where your keyboard and mouse live.

Most people overestimate how much space they need. A 32" wide mat sounds great until you realize your desk is only 36" wide and now the mat hangs over the edge or you have two inches of desk showing on each side.

Quick size check

• Small desk or laptop setup: 12" × 18" works fine. You get coverage for your laptop and a mouse, maybe a notebook.
• Standard desktop with keyboard + mouse: 12" × 22" fits most setups without taking over.
• Want to cover most of your desk: 32" × 16" gives you room to spread out. Good for dual keyboard setups, gaming, or if you like having your whole workspace on one surface.

Think about what you actually do at your desk

Different work needs different mat sizes. If you're gaming with a low-sensitivity mouse, you need horizontal space for big sweeping movements. If you're writing code or doing design work, you might want room for a notebook or drawing tablet next to your keyboard.

Gaming setups

Go bigger than you think you need. Fast-paced games mean your mouse covers more distance. The 32" × 16" size is popular because it gives you about 20" of horizontal mouse space even with a full-size keyboard. Plus you can rest your arms on the mat instead of half on the mat and half on the bare desk.

Office work and productivity

The 12" × 22" middle size handles most scenarios. You get enough room for a keyboard, mouse, and phone without overwhelming your desk. If you take a lot of handwritten notes, consider going larger so your notebook fits on the mat too.

Compact or minimalist setups

The smallest 12" × 18" size works if you're tight on space or prefer a cleaner look. It's enough for a 60% keyboard or tenkeyless layout plus a standard mouse. Some people actually prefer this because it defines their workspace without covering everything.

Material considerations (spoiler: neoprene wins)

You'll see desk mats in different materials. Cloth, leather, cork, hard plastic, whatever. Our desk mats use neoprene because it's the best material for printed designs and handles the printing process well.

Neoprene gives you a slight cushion without being mushy. It's water-resistant (coffee spills wipe off easily). The texture is smooth enough for mouse tracking but not slippery. And it's durable enough to last years of daily use without wearing through.

The 3mm thickness is the sweet spot. Thin enough to not mess with your wrist position, thick enough to provide cushioning and protection.

About those hemmed edges

This matters more than you'd think. Hemmed edges (sewn down with stitching) prevent fraying. Without hemming, the edges will eventually separate or curl up. With hemming, the mat keeps its shape basically forever.

It also looks cleaner. The stitching creates a defined border around your design instead of just... ending.

Choosing designs that work

Whether you're picking one of our designs or want us to print something custom, it helps to know what actually looks good on a desk mat. Some patterns and images work better than others.

Designs that work well

• High contrast patterns: Bold colors or black and white designs show up clearly and don't disappear under your gear
• Minimal graphics: Simple logos, geometric patterns, or single images look clean without being busy
• Photos with strong subjects: A single clear subject (pet, landscape, car, whatever) works better than complex multi-element photos
• Abstract or artistic designs: These tend to age better than trendy graphics. What looks cool now might look dated in six months

Designs that usually don't work

• Tiny details: Your mat is covered by your keyboard and hands. Small text or intricate details get lost
• Low contrast: Subtle designs might look sophisticated but they're basically invisible under your stuff
• Busy collages: Multiple competing elements just create visual clutter on your desk

The work from home angle

If you're working from home (at least part time), your desk is both your office and your personal space. A custom mat helps define that space as yours, not just another corporate setup.

Also, video calls. Your desk is in the background of every Zoom meeting. A desk mat with a professional-looking design makes your home office look more intentional and less like you're working from your dining room table (even if you are). Need a mat with your company logo? Contact us through Etsy and we can print it for you.

Practical stuff: cleaning and maintenance

Neoprene mats are pretty low-maintenance. Spills wipe off with a damp cloth. For tougher stains, warm water and a little dish soap work fine. You don't need to soak the whole thing, just spot clean as needed.

The non-slip backing doesn't get sticky or gross over time. It just grips through texture, not adhesive. You can move the mat around, pick it up to clean under it, whatever.

The printed design won't fade from normal use. No special UV protection needed. It's bonded into the material, not sitting on top of it.

Making the decision

Here's the simple version:

1. Measure your workspace (seriously, do this first)
2. Pick the size that fits with a few inches to spare on each side
3. Choose a design that you'll still like in six months
4. Order it and use it for a week

If it works, great. If you wish you'd gone bigger or smaller, you'll know for next time. Desk mats aren't expensive enough to stress about getting it perfect on the first try.