Do-it-yourself mouse pad: how to make it at home, what to replace it with

A mouse stand is not just an accessory, but a necessary thing that makes your work easier. And although there is a sufficient selection of different models in stores, it is quite possible to make a rug yourself. And such a stand will have a lot of advantages: it fits perfectly in size, is pleasing to the eye, and, finally, it’s just nice that you made a creative and useful thing with your own hands.

A computer mouse is an important accessory for any computer user, and making your own mouse pad can be quite a fun activity.

What can replace a mouse pad?

It turns out that there are no irreplaceable things. And the stand can also be replaced with what you have on hand. For example:

notebook;
tiles;
thick cardboard;
glossy magazine wrapped in a file.

A mouse pad will make your work at the computer easier.
For laser models, mats with any surface are used: from glass to leather. The trajectory does not change and the speed of response to commands does not change either.

Specialized computer hardware stores offer various options for mouse pads.

And for optical ones, it is better to use accessories with a matte surface, otherwise the mouse may “slip.” You should not take a fabric stand either, since the beam will be “held up” between the fibers.

Prices for such accessories are often unreasonably high. Therefore, we suggest combining business with pleasure and making a mouse pad with your own hands.

Fabric Features

To create an original rug, you will first need a template of an interesting shape. You can cut it out of ordinary thin paper. If the rug is intended as a gift to a friend, think about which shape will best reflect the individuality of the recipient and will definitely please him. There are countless options. Here are just a few of them:

Animal: cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, crocodiles, pigs, etc. An excellent choice would be the recognizable silhouette of the animal or a characteristic detail that belongs to its appearance or is simply associated with this animal (such as the shape of a symmetrical bone).
Animal paw. Despite its menacing sound, such an accessory will look very cute and is suitable as a gift for a girl. Don't forget to add cat pads to each toe.
Animal head. You can, of course, create a homemade mouse pad in the shape of a large dog or a round pig, but not all animal silhouettes will look equally adequate. A horse, for example, will not work, as its silhouette looks too bulky. An alternative compact option would be a horse's head. You can even add a magic horn to it.
Geometric shape. Regular rugs have a rectangular format. Use your imagination and choose the most extraordinary geometric shape - a circle, triangle, hexagon or even a five-pointed star.

How to make a mouse pad with your own hands: instructions

Linoleum rug

A piece of flooring will help you create another alternative at home.

First, cut out a square from linoleum.

We cut out a stand measuring 24x20 cm. We make the edges slightly rounded to make it easier to work with such an accessory.

Attach a round glass and carefully cut them along the contour with a stationery knife.

Let’s complicate the task and make a truly exclusive thing. Let's try to make decoupage on the surface of linoleum. We will need napkins with an interesting pattern.

Whitening the surface in decoupage is done to make the picture brighter

We cut out the fragments and glue them onto the linoleum. Carefully coat with glue. When the surface is dry, apply several layers of special decoupage varnish.

Now we repeat the procedure of painting the background with a sponge once again, only with blue paint.

Cardboard mat

That's true, a rug made from scrap materials. For work, you can use corrugated cardboard or part of a regular shoe box. To prevent the accessory from “driving” on the surface of the table, we use a special anti-slip layer for furniture. To prevent the cardboard surface from looking dull, use craft paper or wrapping paper with an interesting print.

This will give you a great working surface for your rug.

To best secure the fabric decorative layer, use regular or aerosol textile adhesive.

We glue the wrapping paper onto the cardboard surface with glue. And we fix it on top with self-adhesive film. As you work, smooth the film well so that there are no folds or bubbles. Thanks to this surface, the mouse will glide better, and the service life of the accessory will noticeably increase.

A transparent self-adhesive film will protect the decorative layer and allow the mouse to easily move around the mat.

From a paper clipboard

It has the required density and dimensions.

Take any paper clipboard and place it on your desktop.

Attach black paper on top of the tablet (to prevent glare from the mouse beam).

Place the black sheet into the mouse deglare clip.

Place a white sheet on top of the black layer. The elementary model is ready. But you can make it more interesting, for example, take a colored sheet or with an ornament. Be careful not to make the stand too smooth.

Place the white sheet over the black sheet for the final coat.

Leather rug

A homemade leather stand is a very creative thing. Even the simplest model looks stylish. Such a masterpiece is created without much effort: two pieces of leather are folded and glued together. If you have the skills to work with a sewing machine, it is better to sew.

You can additionally sew the edges on a sewing machine if you know how.

For this model, the tops of boots, a leather suitcase or bag, and fragments of a jacket are suitable. It is better if the skin has a dense texture.

And if you take pieces of different leather and apply a little imagination, you will get such a masterpiece. An unusually pleasant thing both in appearance and to the touch.

Handmade mouse pad.

Important! It is better to glue a layer of foam or a piece of a travel rug to the back of thin leather.

Plexiglas mat

Only those who have the skills to work with this material can create a mouse stand from plexiglass. But the result is amazing!

If you have the skills, you can cut a shape out of plexiglass, place LEDs, attach a USB connector to them, and connect it to a computer.

To work you will need:

LEDs;
plexiglass;
a sheet of thick paper;
USB cable;
wine bottle cork;
piece of wire;
Super glue.

You will get a glowing rug.

Let's get to work.

First, we check the “operability” of the LEDs. To do this, we connect the cable wires to the LEDs and secure them with pliers.
The base of the future rug is cut out of plexiglass. The shape and size are chosen at your discretion.
We will make “legs” for the rug from cork. To do this, use a stationery knife to cut 4 pieces from the cork, each 5 mm wide.
Glue the legs to the plexiglass.
On the same side where the legs are, we glue the LEDs.
Glue a sheet of thick paper on the front side.

Backlit mouse pad.

Thanks to the sheet of paper, the light is soft and diffused, which makes working with the mat more comfortable.

A computer mouse will have better contact with a dark-colored mat.

From ornamental foam

You will need:

foam;
sharp knife;
acrylic paints (you can gouache);
scotch;
aerosol sealant for final surface treatment.

Trace a paper shape and cut out the same one from craft foam.

We cut out the base from the foam. We tape the borders of fragments of different colors with tape. We paint the product. Finally, we cover it with several layers of sealant.

The result is an unusual geometric rug.

Cork rugs

To make such a stand at home, absolutely no skills are required. A piece of cork sheet is given the desired shape.

The rug is either painted or a piece of fabric is glued on.

To make your work easier, use masking tape as a stencil. Thanks to it, you get smooth and clear boundaries when painting the stand.

Features of making a play mat

It must have special characteristics. First of all, slippage is eliminated. On the other hand, the mouse should move as easily as possible on the mousepad.

From a piece of karemat (isolon is also suitable) we cut out the base of the future stand. This model is much larger in size than regular stands.

As a rule, such a mat should accommodate not only a mouse, but also a keyboard, that is, approximately 30x60 cm.

Then we place a self-adhesive film on the upper part (the foil remains at the bottom). To prevent it from curling, complicating the process, we first iron it with an iron. Then we glue double-sided tape to the bottom plane and fasten the mat to the table.

Template selection

Animal: cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes, crocodiles, pigs, etc. An excellent choice would be the recognizable silhouette of the animal or a characteristic detail that belongs to its appearance or is simply associated with this animal (such as the shape of a symmetrical bone).
Animal paw. Despite its menacing sound, such an accessory will look very cute and is suitable as a gift for a girl. Don't forget to add cat pads to each toe.
Animal head. You can, of course, create a homemade mouse pad in the shape of a large dog or a round pig, but not all animal silhouettes will look equally adequate. A horse, for example, will not work, as its silhouette looks too bulky. An alternative compact option would be a horse's head. You can even add a magic horn to it.
Geometric shape. Regular rugs have a rectangular format. Use your imagination and choose the most extraordinary geometric shape - a circle, triangle, hexagon or even a five-pointed star.

Is it possible to do without a rug?

Just a few decades ago, it was almost impossible to imagine working at a computer without this accessory. It was the same mandatory component as, for example, a keyboard or a system unit. And all because the mice were exclusively mechanical, which, without a special surface, greatly “slowed down” work on the computer.

So to be or not to be? Today this question is very relevant for active computer users. The main reason why stands for computer mice are used is maximum ease of use. If this accessory is not used, then scratches will appear on the tabletop very quickly. And the mouse itself will wear out faster.

By following simple recommendations, you can make a stand according to all the rules.

In general, if you answer the question unequivocally, then yes, you can do without a rug. But this decision will entail a number of consequences. Firstly, the computer desk will quickly lose its original appearance and become unusable, and secondly, the mouse will need to be changed frequently.

If you “live” at a computer, then it is better to use a special accessory. If you are not a frequent visitor to your computer desk, then perhaps there is no point in purchasing this accessory.

You can create a creative mouse pad at home. It will be cheaper than buying in a company store, and, at the same time, no less convenient.

From a paper clipboard

This is a ready-made part that does not need to be cut, it only needs external decoration. To do this, you first need to attach a black sheet of paper so that there are no glares, and then white on top of the black and you can decorate. The rug should be moderately smooth; if the lower part is too slippery, you can sheathe it or cover it with fabric. Please note that tablets come in both small and large sizes.

Take any paper clipboard and place it on your desktop.

If you order from the Internet or ask someone to buy, then immediately take into account the desired size. If the tablet is sliding on the table, you can glue down pieces of felt or any similar material so that the mat rests securely on the table surface. The clip can be left or removed if desired. With the first option, the decorating process will be quite simple and it will be possible to prepare several options that will change. Also, the tablet can perform its previous functions in its free time from working at the computer.

Be careful not to make the stand too smooth.

Useful tips

Special products help you quickly and gently clean your mouse pad and mouse.
In order to tidy up the surface on which the mouse is located, you do not need to spend a lot of effort and time. It is enough to periodically perform certain actions that will guarantee its purity:

before washing the surface, you need to treat the mouse itself (namely its wheel and optics) to prevent it from becoming dirty again;
You should not start the device and wait for it to get very dirty; you can periodically (every 3-4 days) wipe it using wet wipes;
It is best to wash the mat from plaque and dust using products that are sold in computer stores.

Every gamer, and even just a computer user who spends a lot of time on it, knows how difficult it is to keep a mouse pad clean. However, it is not possible to regularly buy new devices due to their high cost.

This is why it is so important to regularly clean the rug, which not only does not require much time and effort, but will also significantly extend its service life.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9P6WWXmrVI0

From ornamental foam

Such a mat requires foam, a knife, acrylic paints or gouache, tape and sealant. The desired shape is cut out of the foam and you can begin to decorate it with paints, creating an unusual geometric pattern or any other design of your choice. Scotch tape is needed so that when creating a geometric pattern, the paint does not go beyond the boundaries. Finally, the surface is treated with a sealant for protection.

We cut out the base from the foam. We tape the borders of fragments of different colors with tape. We paint the product.

Additional materials

There are additional materials that can temporarily replace a mouse pad. Any product with a smooth surface is suitable as a substrate. For example:

A notebook with a varnished cover (the number of sheets does not matter).
Tile.
Hardcover book.
Cardboard.
Paper in a file.
Envelope. The dimensions of the product are slightly smaller than necessary, but it can be a good temporary substitute for a rug.
Magazine.

These are the most common replacement methods. But the house is full of other things that can become a substrate. It is important that they are in perfect contact with the surface of the mouse.

Computer mouse pads are cleanable and even washable. But they do this taking into account the material from which they are made. After all, they are often made from materials that are very resistant to high temperatures and strong mechanical stress.

Plastic ones usually don't last long. After a few months, they either crack or almost lose the main layer - it wears off. Therefore, when you move the mouse, you will hear a rustling sound. As a rule, plastic products are the most inexpensive. Therefore, when worn out from long-term use, you can simply replace it.

The plastic mat is easy to clean. It is enough to wipe it with wet wipes or simply wash it with detergent.

Don't forget to wipe the special pads on the mouse. After all, dirt also sticks to them. This greatly impairs the mouse's ability to glide across the surface.

Fabric linings significantly improve sliding. That's why many computer users love them so much. They are easy to care for, and any stains are quickly removed with a regular detergent.

For cleaning you will need:

soft bristle brush;
warm water;
shampoo

PC games with high fidelity

Even if you're happy with the aesthetics of your workspace without any mouse pad, you may still want to consider purchasing one if you use your desktop for PC gaming.
Using a mouse pad is a huge benefit for gamers, especially those who play fast-paced games like shooters or MOBAs. "Gaming" branded mouse pads tend to be oversized to allow for consistent tracking with large, sweeping movements. Some special models cover the entire desktop, including under the keyboard and everything else you use.

Mats designed for gaming support fast movements without skipping or resetting refresh cycles on the mouse sensor. There's a lot of variety here - standard fabric mats, hard plastic mats for super-fast gliding, even some metal mats. Some gaming mice even come with specialized software that allows the user to set specific profiles for different surfaces.

So, do you need a mouse pad for your computer mouse? Technically, no. But you should probably use it if you're working in one place for a long time. Both your desk and your mouse will thank you.

We use wine corks

Among the well-known step-by-step diagrams for DIY rugs, the use of wine corks stands out, since it is an exotic and very flexible material. Its coating actually does not allow moisture to pass through and prevents the growth of many bacteria.

What we use:

About 150-180 wine bottle corks;
Appropriate glue;
A little water-repellent material to create a base, since you need a surface for mounting the plugs;
A piece of rubberized fabric;
A soft but thin piece of plastic;
Reliable and sharpened knife;
Sandpaper;
Standard cutting board.

Manufacturing stages:

The required number of traffic jams is collected. They look around to immediately get rid of the damaged material. The workpieces are washed with warm soapy water. To remove wine stains, use a bleach solution overnight. Purchase in a chain store is allowed.
Each cork is cut lengthwise to form equal parts. A cutting board and a reliable knife are used. If it is not very smooth, then sandpaper treatment is used. For comfort and safety, it is more beneficial to place the workpiece in a vertical position.
You need to decide on the final size of the rug. To create the base, a corresponding piece of material is cut out. The blanks are laid out along the cut side. We use a simple checkerboard pattern, zigzag or even row.
The corks are glued to the base using the appropriate adhesive. We start from the perimeter and move towards the center of the base. Excess glue is removed with a rag. We wait until the product is completely dry.
To ensure waterproof qualities, the product is treated with a sealant. If used in a bathroom, you need to dry the mat once a month.

This product is beautiful and can be easily created at home. The problem may arise only in the necessary presence of wine corks, but if the author is a lover of the divine drink, then he can put this craft on a regular basis.

Floor rugs made from old T-shirts, for chairs, stools: photo, description, step-by-step production

Instead of throwing away old cotton T-shirts, you can give them a second life. In skillful hands, wardrobe items that have already served their purpose will turn into a cozy, cute rug. Several decades ago, similar rugs could be found in almost every home. Such carpets are called “grandmother’s rug.”

The advantage of rugs made from old T-shirts is their light weight, durability, and easy care. If rugs of this type do not fit into your interior, you can find a place for them on the balcony or cottage.

To make rugs, you can use not only T-shirts, but also other old cotton items (sheets, bathrobes, children's colored tights, etc.). Before making, select the color scheme:

Lots of bright colors will create a cheerful mood, but may look too pretentious and tacky, especially if you have a subdued interior color scheme.
Two colors that combine with each other will look laconic and discreet.
A solid color scheme is also possible if the color matches other items in the room.

To make a rug from old T-shirts, prepare the following materials:

Old T-shirts - 5-10 pcs.
Scissors
Threads and large needle
Sewing machine (if available)

Materials for making a T-shirt rug

Step-by-step production:

Cut off the bottom seams of each T-shirt.
Then cut the T-shirt into strips about 5 cm wide, not reaching the edge.
Turn the T-shirt over and continue cutting strips diagonally. This should create a long continuous ribbon.
Roll it up into a ball.
Do this with each T-shirt.
Then take three ribbons of different colors and start braiding them into a regular braid.
When the ribbon ends, tie another one to it in a knot and continue braiding.
When all the starting material is gone, you will have a very long multi-colored braid, roll it into a tight circle.
Secure the rug with threads on the wrong side to prevent it from unraveling. If the rug is thin, you can sew it using a sewing machine.

Now the rug is ready to decorate your home. It is done simply and quickly enough. Depending on the number of T-shirts, you can make small and large diameter mats. These rugs are suitable for chairs and stools. Since they are soft and comfortable, they are very comfortable to sit on.

Step-by-step making of a T-shirt rug

Bright rug made from old T-shirts

Rug made of T-shirts in green colors