The Best Desk Mats, According to Our Editors Who Tested Them for Weeks

While some people opt for a desk mat to protect their precious desk, and a few use a desk mat to keep themselves organized, others simply like the look of one; it makes their desk feel a little more elevated. "Having this mat on my desk definitely made me feel fancy. The color was true to the site; it came rolled but lay flat immediately, and it has a nice matte finish," explains Deputy Managing Editor Sarah Esgro. "So far, It's stood up against a morning coffee spill and greasy lunch fingers without so much as a spot of discoloration." Of course, no product is perfect. She does admit that the size was a little unexpected. "I will say that it is very large. It wouldn't fit on my home desk, but it helps define my work area on my office desk."

Of course, a desk mat can be subtle and not garner too much attention, but if you like a little extra pizzazz at your workstation, why not go for something a bit bold? That was Performance Marketing Associate Rhea Park's goal when she incorporated this bright and colorful design onto her own desk at the House Beautiful office. "The mat is large enough to accommodate my giant desk and looks like how it is advertised online. I've never had a desk mat before, so I've found that it helps me organize my space and look neater and more put together overall." She does admit, however, that the white part of the mat is prone to a bit of mess because, well, it's white. So, if you tend to spill, this may not be the best option for you."

Nothing feels more luxurious than a monogrammed, well, anything. From towels to purses, Mark & Graham is famous for its bevy of stylish leather goods that are finished off with a freshly embossed or foiled monogram. When Commerce Editor Nashia Baker bought her desk mat, a monogram was at the top of her mind in her decision-making process. "I thought this leather desk mat looked so sleek as soon as I took it out of the package. The color matched the online description, and the custom monogram was a bonus to make the desk mat stand out even more," she says. "The desk mat itself has helped me keep my work essentials in order, like my laptop and planner. It's gotten a little dirty from things like snack crumbs, but I thought it was easy to clean with a gentle cleaning spray and a soft cloth to get it looking as good as new."

We love marble on pretty much everything, including kitchen islands, bathroom counters, and, yes, even desk mats. Of course, this one is not actually marble, but it looks just like the real thing. Assistant Social Media Editor Bianca Bonetti says, "My desk definitely looks more aesthetically pleasing, and I love that I don't need a separate mousepad because this desk mat is so wide, which is something to keep in mind if you don't have a huge desk." At 36 inches wide, it's definitely for those with bigger spaces to spread out, but, as Bonetti said, if you have this sprawled across your desk, you really don't need anything else to protect your surface, like a mouse pad or a coaster." Because it's neoprene, though, it's hard to write on directly. Bonetti says, "It's squishy neoprene material, so you can't write on a piece of paper without stabbing through it (the paper)." And just in case your pen does break through a piece of paper and stain the desk mat, toss it in the wash.

"Full disclosure: I bought these as a set of placemats, but since I have only two barstools at my island and no dining table, I knew I'd use the other two placemats as desk mats: one for me and one for my boyfriend, as we both work from home several times per week. After all, laptops scratch and I love my at-home desk too much to ruin it!" Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. "I love that the set comes in four different colors. I use the green one and my boyfriend uses the black one. They're great: They don't slide around, they protect my desk and kitchen island, and because they're made of faux leather (even though it feels real), they're easy to clean." This set comes in various colors, so feel free to get four mix-and-match options or four of the same shade.

Another bold option that has already become a House Beautiful favorite is the Printworks desk mat. Digital Designer Soumi Sarkar admits, "Okay, this Printworks Desk Pad is everything. I really wanted a desk mat that would (a) protect my desk from scratches and avoid the harsh feeling of moving my mouse around on the bare surface, and (b) brighten up my workspace, and this one checks both of those boxes!" What attracted her most were the fun colors and wave-like shape, neither of which are too distracting for the workday. She does note that it is prone to stains if you are a spiller, but "it's nothing a laundry pen can't fix," she notes.