Finding the right desk accessories to match your home office aesthetic isn’t always an easy task. Especially when you’re looking for a stylish (yet functional) mat to protect your desk surface, there are so many different desk covers to choose from.
When choosing the best desk pad for your setup, it’s important to consider what your day-to-day looks like. Some desk covers are better suited for gaming, while some desk pads are perfect for writers. To help you pick, we’ve curated a list of our favorite desk cover ideas that will instantly help protect and dial up the aesthetics of your workspace.
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Leather Desk Pad Covers
If you’re looking for a desk cover that looks even better over time, and provides a thick layer of protection for your tabletop – a leather desk mat is the way to go. Leather mats are by far the most popular desk cover pick because of how easy they are to clean, while providing a premium feel. The patina that leather develops over time will also add character and warmth to any desk setup.
Brown Leather Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
- Harber London Premium Brown Leather Desk Mat
- Ultralinx Brown Leather Desk Pad
- Knodel Brown Leather Desk Cover
Black Leather Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
Image by @thegeektoday
Image by @mekunotech
Desk Edge Pad – IKEA Rissla
For larger desks, the desk edge pad will keep your surface protected with its snug fit on almost any tabletop. The edge padding also allows for minimal movement while typing or scrolling.
The IKEA Rissla is a great desk edge pad option, and the white stitching outlining really adds that sense of craftsmanship.
Desk Pads Available:
Images by @albingroen and IKEA
Cute & Aesthetic Desk Pads
Instantly make your workspace visually appealing with these aesthetic desk covers. Choosing a desk pad with the right colors, textures, and patterns to go with your personal style will do wonders for the overall look of your workspace.
Cloud Aesthetic Desk Mat
Desk Pads Available:
Iridescent Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
Marble Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
- White Marble Design Desk Pad
- Tan Marble Design Desk Pad
- White & Gold Marble Design
- Pink & Gold Marble Design
Image by u/sh_rley
Felt Desk Pad – Fabric Tabletop Cover
To add some contrast, texture and a bit of warmth to your desk space, consider getting a felt desk pad. A felt desk pad is by far one of the most popular desk cover ideas. Overall, fabric tabletop covers provide a soft feel and cushioning under your wrists (perfect for long days), while still offering solid traction for mouse movements.
Felt desk pads typically come in light grey, dark grey and black. They’re super versatile and can be used for almost any workspace.
Desk Pads Available:
- Pack & Smooch Merino Felt Desk Pad – Light Grey Fabric | Dark Grey Fabric
- FireBee Extended Felt Mouse Pad – Light Grey | Dark Grey
Images by @minonearth, @feriktantomi and @michsoledesign
Cutting Mat Desk Pad
Create a crafty look for your setup by using a cutting mat… as your desk mat. If your desk is looking a little bare without anything underneath your peripherals, adding a cutting mat is a nice touch. Bonus if you work in a crafty field and can put it to use! In fact, most cutting mats are self-healing, resealing all surface cuts made.
Desk Pads Available:
Image by @man0po
Colored Desk Pads
Whether you want to add a splash of color, or complement the color aesthetic you’ve already established, a colored desk mat is a super simple addition to your setup. Some desk mats are even available in reversible colorways, giving you flexibility to mix things up every now and then.
Pink Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
Image by Hillary Black
Yellow Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
Blue Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
- YSAGi Multifunctional Office Desk Pad (Calamine Blue)
- YSAGi Multifunctional Office Desk Pad (Navy Blue)
- TOWWI Dual Sided Desk Pad (Navy Blue)
Gray Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
- YSAGi Multifunctional Office Desk Pad (Calamine Blue)
- ULX Desk Mat in Gray
- Hand Crafted Mouse Pad in Gray – Personalized
Microfiber Desk Pad – Soft Desk Cover
Wrist support is essential when you’re spending most of your day at your desk. To support the strain on your forearms and wrists, you should consider having a microfiber desk mat. Using a soft desk cover paired with an actual keyboard wrist rest will help with the overall home office ergonomics. Your future body will thank you!
Desk Pads Available:
- Harber London Reversible Microfiber Desk Cover
- SteelSeries QcK Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad
- KTRIO Large Desk Pad with Superior Micro-Weave Cloth
RGB LED Gaming Desk Pad
If you’ve added desk backlighting, LED light strips, RGB accessories around your gaming setup, then the only thing left to get is an RGB gaming desk pad. Pair your RGB desk cover with a colorful mechanical keyboard and watch your setup glow.
Desk Pads Available:
- RGB Mouse Pad
- Razer Goliathus Large Gaming Mousepad
- Xergur RGB Gaming Mouse Mat
- BZseed Extra Large RGB Gaming Mousepad
Image by @techtesseract and u/Rayzerchick
Patterned Desk Pads
The Great Wave Desk Cover
Desk Pads Available:
Image by u/SinjiOnO
Boho Print Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
Clear Water Desk Pad
Desk Pads Available:
Do you have any other desk cover ideas that we might’ve missed? Which desk mat idea is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! If you’ve got a desk cover setup you’d like to show off, tag us at @desktours and @gridfiti on Instagram! For more home office ideas, check out our Pinterest board!
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