A piece of glass is seen in the background. The blog header reads DIY Chair Mat.

By Matly

DIY Chair Mats

2 chair mats you can make at home (and 1 you can’t).

We are proud to offer Australia’s favourite chair mats, but sometimes you just want to do it yourself. DIY chair mats are possible, but you should carefully consider which type you want. Some materials are easier to DIY with, and some should not be attempted at all.

As always, we are committed to offering the best possible support, even if that support is making it yourself. So, here are a few methods for making your own chair mat. The best option for you depends on the material you want and your level of skill (and confidence!) at DIY.\

For most methods, you will need a sharp knife and the ability to use it. Remember that these chair mats are for hard floors, as carpet grippers are complicated to add.

Carpet

Carpet chair mats are the easiest ones to DIY, simply because carpet is easy to cut. Make sure you get an appropriate type of carpet for your application – very long plush carpets will not work well. You need a low pile carpet that will allow your chair to roll on and off.

Use a very sharp utility knife or carpet cutting power tool and follow these steps:

Step 1: Decide what shape chair mat you want. The most popular shape for single desk spaces is keyhole because it covers that little extra area that you roll your chair into. The other options are a square mat and a custom shape.

Step 2: Measure your area. Use a measuring tape to work out the exact size you need. Then, measure again. This is the most important step because once you cut your carpet too small there’s no going back!

Step 3: Flip your carpet over and draw your measurements out onto the mat. Do this on the back so you can follow it easily. The back tends to be the flattest surface, so it’s also easier to draw this side.

Step 4: With a very sharp blade in your utility knife, firmly push down and cut along the lines you have just drawn. Some people like to cut slightly outside the markings before checking the fit. This is sensible for first-time chair mat makers. You can always cut more away but you can’t make your carpet piece bigger!

Step 5: Check the fit by placing your carpet over your space.

Step 6: Ideally, you will now add ramped edges to complete your mat. You can buy rubber edging online that is ready to slot around your self-made new chair mat.

Plastic

Although our chair mats are made of PVC, this is the option we recommend the least. That’s because it is much harder to get the same quality we can offer when making it yourself. PVC comes in a variety of strengths and appearances, some of which would not make a quality mat.

It is slightly harder to cut PVC than carpet, and you will need a couple of extra tools. To cut your own PVC chair mat, follow these instructions:

Step 2: Measure your area. Use a measuring tape to work out the exact size you need. Then, measure again. This is the most important step, because once you cut your plastic too small there’s no going back!

Step 3: Draw your measurements out onto the mat. You do not need to flip your chair mat at this stage as the surface is smooth.

Step 4: Heat a small section of the mat with a heat gun to soften the plastic. This makes it easier to cut the hard plastic without it cracking.

Step 5: Score through the mat 4 times or until you cut right through.

Step 6: Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until the mat is cut all round. Work in 40cm sections to keep the warmth consistent and the surface easy to cut.

Plywood

Another great option if you have the DIY skills is plywood. Plywood is strong, sturdy and flexible, which makes it a versatile building material. It is perfect for chair mats because it can be cut easily without compromising its durability.

Chair mats made from plywood also look great - especially in a natural or boho chic decor.

To cut plywood, you will need a clamp and a saw. It's up to you whether you want to use a circular saw, a jigsaw or just your trusty hand saw. Please, though, seek some guidance before you use power tools for the first time! Whatever saw you use, these are the steps you need to follow:

Step 2: Measure your area. Use a measuring tape to work out the exact size you need. Then, measure again. This is the most important step, because once you cut your plywood too small there’s no going back!

Step 3: Draw your measurements out onto the wood. Do not flip your wood as the top surface will have the cleanest cut.

Step 4: Clamp your wood down and set your saw to its longest blade. We recommend getting someone to help with this - especially if you're using a large piece of wood.

Step 5: Gently cut your wood with your saw. If you are using a hand saw, cut on the downward motion and pull the blade back up without cutting. This will help you create a cleaner cut. With a table saw, apply firm pressure and feed the wood through to your helper. If you are confident in your abilities to use a jigsaw, use this to create the curved edges of the mat.

Step 6: Sand the edges as needed.

Glass

While glass chair mats are the most effective, we do not recommend attempting to make your own unless you are qualified to work with glass. Cutting glass is a difficult job and dropped shards can be dangerous.

Your best option is to measure the space you want to cover and buy a piece of pre-cut glass that fits. This works well because – provided the glass has the right thickness – you will not need to change the mat at all.

If you already have a piece of glass, you can take it to a glass cutter who will safely and professionally cut it for you. That option doesn’t really count as DIY but we can call it a hybrid.

You want a piece of glass about 0.65cm thick. That way your mat will not crack but will also be easy to roll on and off.

Making your own chair mat: easier than you thought?

Making your own chair mat is possible, and could save you a lot of money. You simply need to decide which type you want. If you have your heart set on a glass mat, we recommend leaving it to the professionals.

For more information on cutting different types of mats, check out this article on how to cut your own matting. If you choose to make your own mat of any sort – we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to [email protected] to share your DIY mat.

If, however, you do want to save yourself the effort and buy a great quality chair mat with no risk, our matxperts are just a phone call away. All our mats are protected by an industry-leading warranty of 12 years. We offer such great protection because we know our chair mats will last.

We also deliver our chair mats flat, so you don’t have to deal with the impossible mission that is flattening a rolled chair mat. Check out our range of chair mats for more information and our frequently asked questions.

2 years ago