10 Best Rugs for a Home Office with Rolling Chairs in 2024

It’s undeniable that the right rug can contribute to the harmony of a room, whereas an incompatible one may make the space appear disjointed and disconcerting. This is especially true when sourcing rugs for a home office; a place where one spends considerable time and looks for convenience, even though it may not be particularly relaxing. The task becomes even more challenging when the rug needs to be accommodating to a rolling chair. Finding a rug that can satisfy all these requirements is frequently more straightforward theoretically than actually.

This guide walks you through the factors that you have to consider and provides you with the 10 best rugs for a home office with rolling chairs.

10 Best Rugs for a Home Office – Reviewed by Laurel & Wolf

In a hurry? Check this quick buying decision list.

1. SAFAVIEH Montauk Collection
2. nuLOOM Elijah Seagrass Natural Area Rug
3. nuLOOM Lorretta Hand Loomed Area Rug
4. Stone & Beam Casual Geometric Cotton Area Rug
5. Safavieh Montauk Collection MTK716G Handmade Flatweave Area Rug
6. nuLOOM Lefebvre Braided Indoor/Outdoor Accent Rug
7. Ottomanson Sundance Collection Indoor & Outdoor Reversible Rug
8. Brindle White Belly Cowhide Rug
9. HEBE Large Cotton Machine Washable Hand Woven Rug
10. SUTERA Stone & Beam Contemporary Striped Area Rug

1. Safavieh Montauk Collection Handmade Flatweave Black Cotton Area Rug

Have you ever had a rug that is impossible to roll a chair over? Or, a rug that works well with a chair, but is coarse and uncomfortable to the touch? You get the best of both worlds with this rug.

The hand-woven premium cotton design means that it is comfortable and soft on your bare feet, while the low pile height of 0.25 inches ensures that your office chair will be no problem.

The clean, geometric pattern and subtle design mean that you will easily be able to match the rug to your overall office decor. There is a color pallet of beige, black, grey, or light blue to choose from, and a selection of sizes ranging from 23 x 7 to 10 x 14. You should easily be able to fit this rug into any space and make it work with almost any look.

The rug does not have a non-slip backing, so you may want to place an additional non-slip pad under it to make sure it stays in place. It is also not machine washable, hand-washing or professional cleaning is recommended.

This durable rug can withstand the wear and tear of regular office use, ensuring that your purchase will last for years.

2. nuLOOM Elijah Seagrass Natural Area Rug

Are you going for a natural look and feel in your home office? If yes, then this may be the rug for you! Constructed with 100% seagrass, this rug is elegant and sophisticated. Each is hand-made, making every rug a unique work of art.

The pile height is only 0.2, which means that you will easily be able to roll an office chair over it, and if placed in front of a door, it won’t annoyingly catch.

While natural fiber rugs may not hold up to high traffic as well as some other materials, the inevitable spills can be spot-cleaned with no annoying stains or water spots left behind. Vacuuming is not recommended, you will have to shake out crumbs and other such debris.

Choose from round, oval, and square, with sizes ranging from 2 x 3 to 12 x 15. The color of the seagrass comes standard, but you can select the color of the rug’s trim (beige, black, brown, dark grey, or navy) for an added pop of color that you can work into your overall office decor.

While the rug does have a backing, it is not non-slip. An additional non-slip pad may be needed to ensure it stays in place.

3. nuLOOM Lorretta Hand Loomed Area Rug

This rug is both functional and super soft on your bare feet. Made from lightweight cotton, this rug is contemporary and chic with a pile height of .25 that allows for easy use in an office setting.

While the only choice of color is taupe, the variety of rectangular sizes, ranging from 4 x 6 to 10 x 14, should allow you to find the perfect fit for your office space.

Due to the nature of the synthetic fibers, this may not be a good rug for areas that get a lot of direct sunlight, and it is best kept away from household pets, as claws may cause pulls in the weave.

Although spot-treatment with diluted detergent is recommended, the rug is light enough to be machine washed, just keep in mind that slight shrinkage can occur. Crumbs and other debris can be vacuumed at the lowest setting (with the beater bar turned off).

There is no backing, which makes the rug reversible, but an additional non-slip pad may be needed to keep it in place.

Although the rug will hold up to high traffic, some stretching may occur.

4. Stone & Beam Casual Geometric Cotton Area Rug

Are you sick of the same old boring, antiseptic office decor? This rug’s native influence and striking geometric design will add flair to any office. If you need a change, it also doubles as a wall hanging!

The rug is flat-woven with a pile height of 0.25, so you will have no problem using it with an office chair or around doorways. There are only two sizes available (5 x 8 or 8 x 10), so be sure to measure your space before buying!

It is durable enough to be vacuumed, and spills can be easily spot-cleaned with detergent and a cloth. The weave will not pull or snag, which makes it a great option for use around household pets.

This is a very lightweight rug, which means that you will definitely want to pair it with a non-slip pad to keep it in place.

5. Safavieh Montauk Collection MTK716G Handmade Flatweave Area Rug

If you need an office space that helps to minimize the distractions around you by providing a calming and neutral environment, this rug can do just that, while remaining comfortable and durable.

It is made from hand-woven cotton with a pile height of just 0.25, which means it is soft to the touch, but works well with an office chair and around doorways.

It has a neutral ivory base, with your choice of beige, black, blue, grey, light blue, or navy for the accent color. You can choose between round and rectangle, with sizes ranging from 23 x 39 to 9 x 12.

The rug cannot be machine washed but can be easily spot-cleaned with a cloth and mild detergent. It is not recommended for use with household pets, as snagging and pulling may occur. An additional non-slip pad may be needed to keep it in place.

6. nuLOOM Lefebvre Braided Indoor/Outdoor Accent Rug

Do you share your office space with kids and pets? Do you need a rug that will stand up to after-business hours traffic while remaining functional in the office setting? This rug is so resilient it can even be used outdoors, your office space should be no match for it.

Stylish and versatile with a classic braided design, this rug comes in a variety of colors, from aqua, charcoal, ivory, light blue, light gray, pink, tan, salt and pepper; with sizes ranging from 2 x 3 to 12 x 18. You are sure to find the right fit for your office space.

The rug is water-resistant and will hold up well to minor spills, a cloth and some detergent should be all you need. It is also fade resistant, so direct sunlight isn’t a problem like it can be with other materials.

The braided design may be less functional with an office chair than some other rugs, and a non-slip pad may be needed to keep the rug in place.

7. Ottomanson Sundance Collection Indoor & Outdoor Reversible Rug

Is durability and ease of maintenance your main objective in a home office rug? This rug is power-loomed with 100% polypropylene, making it versatile and robust.

It has a clean, neutral design and a low 0.2 pile height, making it perfect for use with a rolling office chair and it will not snag when placed around doorways.

The synthetic materials may be less soft to the touch than a natural fiber rug, but this also means that cleaning is a breeze. Although machine washing is not recommended, this rug can even be taken outside and hosed off without causing damage or wear.

The primary color is beige, woven with your choice of accent color (beige, blue, grey, green, red); but size options are limited. The rug also features the same construction on the front as the back, making it fully reversible.

8. Brindle White Belly Cowhide Rug

if you are looking to put together a space that avoids the all work and no play environment office spaces can so easily fall into, this rug can help you make a bold statement or add a touch of whimsy to your decor.

Each rug is made from real, natural cowhide sourced from the food industry. This makes each piece unique while helping to minimize waste by recycling what is leftover from one of the biggest industries in the world.

While the size is estimated at 5 x 7, each hide has unique measurements. If you have precise space requirements, this may not be the rug for you. It also may not be the best option for use with a rolling office chair, as the hair may get caught in the wheels. The general color description is tri-colored, but you do not have the option of selecting a specific hide before purchase.

While the rug can be cleaned, it may take a little extra care to ensure the life of the product. Any stains or spills can be cleaned with a cloth and mild detergent (dab, don’t rub), and it can be vacuumed, but only in the direction of the hair growth.

9. HEBE Large Cotton Machine Washable Hand Woven Rug

If you are in the market for a rug that can be machine washed, this durable cotton rug will protect your floors from moisture and spills while remaining stable and soft to the touch when washed.

Rolling office chairs and doorways are no problem, but you will probably want to use a non-slip backing to help keep the rug in place.

There are no color or size options (the rug comes in 4 x 6 with a blue geometric design), so if you have exact requirements for your office decor, this rug may not be for you.

Spot-cleaning is a breeze using a cloth and mild detergent, and when a deeper clean is needed, the rug can be machine washed in a mesh bag. Regular vacuuming is also no problem, and will not cause wear or damage to the weave.

10. SUTERA Stone & Beam Contemporary Striped Area Rug

This rug offers a clean, contemporary design to add a splash of style to your office decor with a palette that will pull your office together.

Made from 80% wool and 20% cotton, it feels great on your bare feet, is durable enough to withstand high traffic, and will last for years. The pile height of 0.5 means that it may not be the best option for use with a rolling office chair.

There are no color options, but the soft greys, blues, and tans are neutral but striking. There are only three available sizes (4 x 6, 5 x 8, and 8 x 10), so be sure of your space requirements before buying.

The natural fibers mean that it can’t be machine washed, but cloth and mild detergent are all you will need for spot cleaning. Vacuum on the lowest setting with the roller bar turned off.

Buyers Guide for a Home Office Rug

Choosing the best rugs for a home office is about finding the right balance in the rug’s different features. You have to consider placement, the size of the space and the rug, the material used, and its pattern. Each of these aspects can affect a home office’s overall feel as it relates to a rug.

Rug placement:

Where is it going? The placement of the rug should be one of the first questions you ask yourself.

These are just a few of the options you should consider for placement:

• Do you want the rug under your desk and office chair?
• Do any of these chairs have wheels?
• Are there access points on or around the rug, such as a file cabinet that will get caught on the rug when you open it?

Once you have assessed your home office and decided where you think a rug would be best suited, keep this decision in mind as you consider the next factors.

Choosing the right size:

You can get a large rug to take up a much larger space, or a smaller rug to be placed in a specific area. This could change drastically depending on where you decided to place the rug, but some good general tips should be considered:

• If you are putting the rug under your desk and chair, make sure it is big enough to extend past the furniture’s edges.
• The legs of the table and chair should be completely on the rug with plenty of room to scoot around.
• If the rug is too small, you will likely be either working on an uneven desk with two legs off the rug or sliding your chair over the edge of the rug and damaging it.
• If your desk is pushed up against the wall, you obviously can’t extend the rug past the front, so make sure to choose a flatter rug to keep the table even.

Sometimes it is appropriate to have a larger rug that takes up most of the floor space, especially if your home office is of a smaller size. In this case, make sure to leave some space between the walls and the rug.

Keep in mind your access points to ensure any doors or drawers you open will not keep getting caught on the rug.

Materials:

The material of a rug is important anywhere, but this is especially true in a home office.

The material will likely need to have less traction, so you can easily slide your chair around if your new rug will be placed under a chair. You must also consider the amount of foot traffic and furniture moving that the rug will be subject to daily.

A home office rug has to survive some roughing up and be easy to clean in most cases. There are some materials that work very well for this situation, and some you should avoid. You should avoid silk and other delicate materials since they will likely not work well with the foot traffic and are prone to crushing.

Finding a good material that can withstand this wear and tear can seem daunting. Here are some materials that work well in a rug and have a longer wear time.

• Nylon
• Viscose
• Polyester
• Natural plant fibers (Jute, Sisal, Seagrass, etc.)

Rug construction:

The way a rug is made can change the look as well as the durability of a rug.

For example, machine-made rugs generally cannot take the wear and tear that will occur when you are sliding a chair back and forth. The same goes for Berber rugs, which are a thick, shaggy style. You will likely find yourself needing to replace your rug more often if you decide to use rugs constructed using these types of methods.

The following types of rug constructions can give your office the feeling you are looking for with a strong, durable design.

• Distressed Rug: The well-worn style can last a long time with minimal maintenance, and gives you many design choices.
• Low Pile Rugs: Rugs with a pile height of 0.24 or less are considered low pile rugs, which are a great option for anyone looking for easy cleaning. The occasional vacuum run will keep your office floor debris free.
• Hand-Knotted Rugs: Hand-knotted rugs are generally the most durable option, and can sometimes last decades. There will not be any need to replace these rugs anytime soon.
• Hand Tufted Rugs: Hand-tufted rugs provide a durable option at a lower price point than hand-knotted rugs. But don’t let the price difference fool you. These rugs will still last for years to come.
• Flatweave Rug: Flatweave rugs are perfect for anyone that likes to change things up a bit. The reversible design makes it easy to alter the feel of your home office instantaneously. It is kind of like getting two rugs in one.

FAQs about Rugs for Home Office

What size should my office rug be?

This is one of the first questions you will need to answer. Larger rugs are probably best for office space, but ask yourself how much of the bare floor you want to be visible around the edges. Also, take into consideration the placement of your office furniture. It is best to have a rug big enough that all four legs can rest on it. You don’t want to find that your desk now slants because the back legs are on the bare floor while the front legs rest on the rug.

What materials work best in an office rug?

Your office rug will need to stand up to a fair amount of wear-and-tear, but still be functional in the office setting. For example, while wool is very durable, it might not be the best option for use with a rolling office chair. Materials like cotton or polyester are recommended. Silk is to be avoided.

What rugs work best with a rolling office chair?

There is nothing worse than fighting a chair that doesn’t want to roll over the wrong rug. Shag or plush carpeting is to be avoided at all costs. You want to go for a rug with a sturdy weave and low pile height to ensure the least resistance as you roll your chair back and forth. Flat-weave rugs are recommended.

What pattern should I get?

While this question depends on personal taste, there are a few things to consider. Is the overall office decor antiseptic and professional? If so, the right pattern may bring some flair and help pull the room together. But if calm and neutral is what you are going for, a more understated pattern and neutral color palette might be recommended.

Will this rug stand up to high traffic?

Office rugs can take a beating when it comes to constant foot traffic and the regular rolling back and forth of an office chair. Natural materials like cotton and wool with a strong weave will hold up the best and can be easily spot-cleaned and vacuumed.

Will the rug stay in place?

In most cases, you are going to want to use a non-slip pad under any office rug. If the floor is carpeted, you may get away with a heavier rug that has its own backing, but for wood floors, a pad is almost certainly a necessity. The weight of any office furniture that sits on the rug can also help to keep it in place.

Conclusion

The best rugs for home office use are going to have a low pile height, allowing for use with a rolling office chair, and are made from durable materials with a strong weave.

While not typically machine washable, most can be easily spot-cleaned and vacuumed. Natural materials will stand up to the most wear-and-tear, but synthetics may be easier to keep clean (read our review of best carpet cleaners).

Flatweave rugs are recommended but will require an additional non-slip pad to keep them in place.

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for functionality. Most hand-woven cotton rugs are soft and comfortable, as well as durable enough for an office setting.