Harber London Leather Desk Mat Review: Beyond Stylish

Leather has long held a place in offices, especially high-end workplaces. But it's no longer reserved just for the extravagant chairs you imagine residing in a floor-to-ceiling walnut room. Harber London's Leather Desk Pad brings quality material to your desk in a modern way.

Elegant and functional

Before I received the carpet from Harber London, I wondered about its usefulness. My thought was, “There's nothing to be done; it's just a rug. As soon as I opened the box, that opinion changed. The look and feel of leather immediately appeals to you.

My office had a bit of character before with my plants, but overall it looked pretty drab. Once I added the leather mat, it looked like a whole new workspace. This layer of texture and color has dramatically improved its appearance. I have to say, I enjoy sitting at my desk a bit more, as it feels like a happier space.

The leather surface is not only pleasing to the eye, but also very functional. The slight traction it provides works like an effortless mouse pad.

Writing on the mat is even smoother than using a mouse on it. Your pen digs a little deeper into your paper when it's on the soft mat compared to a hard desk. This is mainly beneficial for writing on single sheets of paper, cards and sticky notes.

Another feature is the carpet yarn cutting. This allows you to run the wires neatly. This is especially useful for a Mac keyboard charging cable, but it can also be used for laptop chargers. It's a nice minor feature, but it probably won't influence your buying decision.

Quality materials and craftsmanship

Knowing a little about the company's backstory makes the end product even better. Harber London is a family brand that uses high quality materials in its simplistic designs. Each product sold is made by hand.

Harber London always uses full grain leather, which is the highest quality option. According Mahi leather, this type of leather is the strongest and most durable and does not need to be sanded. This leaves more resistance between the fibers and makes it a more durable product.

Initially, I thought the mat would scratch easily, which made me a bit nervous about using it. At this price, you fear that one small misstep will cost you dearly. I was pleasantly surprised and relieved to see its durability.

There were several times when I was sure I had accidentally scratched it, but it didn't. This rug even managed to stay scuff-free after a cat fight. Don't get me wrong, you can scratch the leather carpet, but it just takes more than a little accident to do it.

It is relatively easy to get small pen marks on the mat surface. He didn't fare as well against the permanent scorer, but that's to be expected. Be sure to follow care instructions to ensure your rug has the longest life possible.

The use of leather will deter some from buying as there is always a question of durability. I will say that the durability of this mat gives its longevity, which certainly compensates for some of the manufacturing damage.

Harber London's choice to use vegetable tanned leather also reduces its footprint. According CarlFriedrik, the process a hide goes through to become vegetable tanned leather uses natural tannins rather than harsh chemicals. Leather tanned with these chemicals cannot biodegrade while these leathers can.

Overall, it's much more durable than some plastic mat options.

For the backing material, you have the choice between wool felt or microfiber. This unit has a wool backing. There are some effiloMinor chages along the perimeter, but hardly worth noting.

The wool keeps the rug from slipping around my desk. It also gives the office an extra layer of protection. If you have a more slippery surface like glass, you might want to select the microfiber option as it will have a better grip.

Harber London offers wool felt or microfiber desk mats if you're looking for more budget-friendly options.

Should you buy a leather desk pad?

There is no doubt that this is a great desk mat. It looks great, works well, and is made of high quality materials. These materials and the care that comes with a handcrafted product will cost you though.

The unit I reviewed is an XL size, which is just over 31 x 17 inches (78,74 x 43,18 cm). It would cost you $192. The smaller size is $128. It's worth mentioning that the standard prices on the site are in euros, so make no mistake. With this high price, whether or not to buy depends on your perception of the price.

If you have a valuable desk that deserves protection, I highly recommend getting a Harber London Leather Desk Mat. If you want to elevate the look of a lower quality desk, this is a great option as you can select the perfect color and size.

On the other hand, if you have a desk that you don't care much about and are simply looking for a better writing surface, there are certainly other desk pads that would suit you better. You won't get the quality offered by this rug, but you will get the function for a fraction of the price.

This Harber London Leather Desk Mat is a great addition to many office setups. If you think it is worth the price, you will definitely be satisfied with the product you receive.