Many people want to invest in an office chair mat to protect the carpet surrounding their business furniture. When you roll your office chair around a space without one of these mats, the carpet that it’s on top of can easily get damaged. However, there are pros and cons to having these at your place of business which you should consider before making the purchase.

On the positive side, chair mats do help to protect your carpet. Worn carpet definitely doesn’t make a good professional impression. With chair mats, you don’t have to replace your flooring so often. And you also reduce the noise when you’re moving around in your office chair which is particularly good if there are offices on the floor below yours.

However, some people find that the design of a plastic chair mat doesn’t express the kind of professionalism that they want to give to their clients and associates. To some, it seems to say, "I can’t afford to replace my carpet". For these people, using carpet tiles (which are easily replaced) or a designer rug can be a good alternative to the chair mat.

There’s nothing wrong with the chair mat. In fact, it’s perfect for many people, especially those who have home businesses or small businesses. But for those who find that it’s not the right choice, there are alternatives out there.