How To Keep Your Wheeled Chairs From Rolling

Whether you have a home office with a rolling desk chair, a rolling barstool, or any other wheeled seating in your home, you have probably experienced the issue of your chair rolling out of control on your wood, vinyl, tile, or otherwise flat floors. While rolling chairs are incredibly convenient, especially in office settings, they can be troublesome to maneuver.

There are a few reasons that your chair may roll unexpectedly, according to Chair Talks, and being able to identify the issue is the first step in solving it. Some common reasons your chair may be rolling include the floor being tilted or slanted, the floors being too slippery without any resistance, the wheels simply being too big, or having the wrong caster. Luckily, these issues are very easy to identify and address. Follow the tips below, and the days of slipping and sliding around your house will be over!

Most desk or rolling chairs come with casters already installed, but that doesn't mean they're the most ideal caster for that specific piece of furniture. This is why Wiggly Wisdom recommends first checking and potentially replacing your chair's casters before anything else to solve an out of control rolling chair.

A caster is essentially a wheel with a swiveling bracket that allows it to move in multiple directions. Some have a manual brake that can be locked in position, while others can be locked and released with your feet.

Another easy way to keep your desk chair from rolling out of place is to simply add a small carpet under your chair. This works best in a home office or desk area in terms of aesthetic appeal. Practically, though, it can be used anywhere in the home.

As Half Half Travel notes, a small carpet or area rug will still allow your wheels to roll but provides some friction and resistance to prevent them from sliding all over the place. They also recommend adding a carpet pad underneath the rug to keep it from moving around.

For a budget-friendly alternative to a carpet or rug, Chair Talks recommends using a simple yoga mat in its place. As a bonus, yoga mats are usually designed to grip onto smooth surfaces, so you won't need the additional carpet pad.

Keep in mind that this isn't the most stable option. Your chair will dent the mat, creating uneven divots. This will not only ruin your yoga mat, rendering it somewhat useless for workouts, but create an uneven and, over time, very uncomfortable surface.

Another tip from Half Half Travel is not only practical but also comfortable. They recommend using an under-desk foot rest. This will provide leverage for your feet to keep the chair from sliding away. And, if it does start to slide away, you have something to pull yourself back. These are also great for providing support to your back and knees while seated and are very comfortable for long work days.