Some people may not consider mousepads an important accessory, but the truth is, they can greatly help you to not hurt your wrist or strain your hand when using your mouse. In fact, they are considered a perfect ergonomic solution to many mouse usage problems.
The benefits don’t end here. You can actually try and make a DIY mouse pad at home according to your own requirements!
In this article, I’m going to talk about DIY mouse pads and how you can make your very own DIY mouse pad. We will also be discussing the benefits associated with making your own mouse pad.
So, without wasting any time, let’s get started with this guide.
Table of Contents
What are DIY Mouse Pads?
Well, we all know about mouse pads and how nicely they support our hands and the mice we place on them to give us a better user experience with increased ergonomics.
But when it comes to DIY mouse pads, they’re just amazing. The purpose of DIY mouse pads is exactly the same as regular mouse pads, but the difference is that you get to decide how they work.
From the color to the overall design, the fabric, the shape, the thickness, and everything else, you get to choose all these yourself, which gives you immense satisfaction. And the best thing about making homemade mouse pads is that you can reuse the materials already available in every household and contribute to less waste.
If you want to know how these mouse pads can be made at home, keep reading on.
What Are the Benefits of DIY Mouse Pads?
You might be thinking to yourself right now, why do I use a DIY mouse pad over a pre-made one? What’s the point of a DIY mouse pad? These questions will be answered once you know the benefits of DIY mouse pads. Let’s take a look at some of the major advantages of DIY mouse pads to understand why they’re better than pre-made ones.
- Ease of Customization – One of the best things about making your DIY mouse pads is that you can customize their designs and add cool and unique elements and whatnot on your own without any kind of restrictions. There is a lot of customization ease involved.
- High-quality Materials – Another great thing about making DIY mouse pads is that you’re not going to be compromising on any of the materials. If you want an over-the-top kind of mouse pad, then you’re going to be able to get that kind of mouse pad using high-quality materials in the making and creation of it.
- Preferred Size and Shape – Making your own mouse pads also allow you to choose the right size and shape according to your requirement. If you want a unique shape, you can design it yourself and if you want a bigger size than usual, then you can make the dimensions of the mouse pad bigger according to your needs.
- Cheaper Than Usual – DIY mouse pads also offer another cool advantage over the others. They’re cheaper than the others. You’ll be getting all the raw equipment and building a new mouse pad from scratch so you won’t end up spending a lot that you might have to when buying a pre-made mouse pad.
How to Make DIY Mouse Pads
The labor required for creating your own DIY mouse pad isn’t a lot if you’re going the easy and basic route. However, if you’re pushing for something unique and artistic, you’re going to have to spend some time and effort on it. Let’s take a look at the steps you’re going to go through to make a basic DIY mouse pad.
Step 1: Gather Materials
The first step in any DIY process is always gathering the tools and materials required for the making. For a DIY mouse pad, you’re going to need a few tools and materials.
These tools include:
- Tape
- Scissors
- A base material
- A top layer perfect for surface tracking
- Other bits and bobs depending upon what kind of DIY mouse pad you’re making
These are the basic requirements and you should have them on your crafting table.
Step 2: Make a Base
The next step is to make a base for the mouse pad. This base material needs to be cut into the shape and size that you want and at the same time, it needs to be slip-proof as well.
Other than that, you’re also going to have to use a foam piece or some other material to add comfort and thickness to the mouse pad. This will be the meaty part of the mouse pad.
Step 3: Add a Top Layer
The top layer is going to be the one that you and all the people using the mouse pad are going to see. This layer also needs to be the perfect surface texture for the mouse.
All the mouse tracking will be done on this layer. So, you need to make sure that you pick the right material for the top layer and that it doesn’t add too much thickness to the mouse pad.
Step 4: Make Designs and Decorations
It is time for you to get creative with your approach. The mouse pad is almost ready. All it’s waiting for is the decorative and design part of the DIY creation process.
You can take your crayons, paints, stickers, and all the things you want to decorate this mouse pad, and once you’re happy with the design, you can call it a day.
Step 5: Use Your DIY Mouse Pad
Finally, you’re done with the DIY creation process. The final step is to place your mouse pad on the computer desk and take it out for a spin. Place your mouse on it, get a feel of how it is supporting your hand and how good the mouse is tracking on it.
If it is perfect, use it and have a great time with it, otherwise, you can make adjustments until you’re completely satisfied.
21 DIY Mouse Pad Ideas You Need to Try
The best thing about DIY mouse pads is that they’re infinitely customizable. This simply means that you can go whatever route with DIY mouse pads that you want.
Here are 21 of the best DIY mouse pad ideas you definitely need to try out if you’re a fan of the DIY mouse pad thingamajig.
1. Photo Mouse Pad
A cool idea for making your own DIY mouse pad is using a simple base with a picture that you like. By placing the picture of your liking on the top as the top layer just beneath the mouse, you’ll be able to easily use the mouse on the surface.
Another great thing about this particular kind of mouse pad is that you can choose the aesthetics and the look by your own choice by picking out the perfect picture for the top layer. So, that’s great.
2. Wooden Mouse Pad
You can also go a less-traveled route with your DIY mouse pad ideas and end up with a wooden mouse pad. What you’re going to need to do is get a piece of wood.
Then, you’re going to carve it according to your requirement of mouse pad shape and size, and finally polish it up so that the mouse can actually track on it and doesn’t feel rough while doing so. It will be an elegant and neat-looking mouse pad for your computer setup.
3. Geometric Leather Mouse Pad
Leather is a really good base for a mouse pad. It looks classy but at the same time, it can be morphed into whatever design you want for yourself. This time we’re going for a nice geometric design.
A couple of layers of leather arranged in a certain way will get you a cool geometric design that you’ll love to use. So, do try this design when you have leather to spare.
4. Polka Dot Mouse Pad
Want to make your DIY mouse pad look like it came from the ’70s? Well, this idea is going to be perfect for you. We’re talking about making yourself a polka dot mouse pad.
To get a polka dot mouse pad for yourself, you’re going to want to take a base and place a top layer on it that is perfect for surface traction. Then you’re going to take polka dot paper arts and glue them onto the top surface. Voila! You’re all set to move your mouse over it.
5. Glittery Mouse Pad
If you’re going for an over-the-top design that screams brightness and shininess, then you’re definitely going to want to go for the glittery mouse pad DIY mouse pad idea.
What you’re going to do is you’re going to make a base and top layer of whatever you want but then you’re going to add a ton of single or multi-colored glitter on top to make the surface shiny and nice. That’s about all you need to achieve the glittery mouse pad.
6. Mountain Mouse Pad
This is a pretty unique design and you’re going to love it, especially if you’re a mountain climber! In this design, you’re going to take a large material base and then cut it up.
You need to cut out a shape of a mountain through it. Then, you’re going to place a printed top layer on the thick base and now you’re all set to move your mouse around on the surface of your mouse pad. It will look neat, cool, and quite unique.
7. Pom-Pom Mouse Pad
The pom-pom mouse pad DIY design takes a bit of extra work but it is definitely worth it. It has that nice designer mouse pad kind of feel and it looks pretty neat as well.
All you need for it is a simple mouse pad and you’re going to take a sewing kit and sew pom-poms on the sides of the mouse pad. Pick the color you want and you’re golden. Your mouse pad will look really amazing now.
8. LED Mouse Pad
Now we’re heading into the gaming-forward DIY mouse pad design. This will look stunning and perfect if you’ve got a high-quality RGB lighting setup in your computer and peripherals.
You’re going to need a simple mouse pad with a few RGB light strips. Go about them as you like, use glue, or whatever you want, and stick the lights to the four sides of the mouse pad. They’ll glow when you’re using the mouse pad which will look super cool.
9. Flipbook Mouse Pad
This right here is a very simple and cost-effective kind of DIY mouse pad design that you can make right now, if you’re good at art that is. I’m talking about the flipbook mouse pad.
You’re going to make a flipbook on your own first, and then put a hardcover on it and use it as a mouse pad. So, it will serve two functions for you, a mouse pad and a cool little flipbook whenever you decide to open it. So, go ahead and knock yourself out!
10. Space-Inspired Mouse Pad
There are unlimited possibilities when it comes to DIY mouse pad designs. This is another pretty amazing design choice. I’m talking about the space-inspired mouse pad design.
This one also uses a simple mouse pad base depending upon your size and shape choice, and you can then get a printed constellation or space scene glued on it and you’re good to go. This design is going to look really nice if you pair it with other designs like LED and RGB.
11. Yoga Mat Mouse Pad
This is another really great inexpensive option for your DIY mouse pad design. If you’ve got a yoga mat in your house and you’re not using it anymore, take a scissor to it.
Cut out a piece that is perfect in terms of the dimensions and shape you need. Now, you’re going to be able to easily use that good traction surface as a basic mouse pad on your computer table. It will look good and it will work great as well.
12. Fabric Mouse Pad
Until now, all the designs used the simple rubber mouse pad base. This design is going to change things up. I’m talking about the fabric mouse pad DIY mouse pad design idea.
In this design, you’re going to use a neat and trendy-looking piece of fabric that adds a bit of color to your computer setup. Plus, it is going to work pretty well as well as look amazing. So, you’re going to be covering all the bases with this mouse pad.
13. Rainbow Mouse Pad
Another cool design option if you want to make your day and your computer usage experience super bright and happy. This is the rainbow mouse pad DIY mouse pad design idea we’re talking about.
Well, you can cut out an old large-sized mouse pad into the shape of the rainbow and then use a printed paper with the rainbow shape as the top layer of this mouse pad. It will look pretty amazing and it will work really well too. So, do try it if you get a chance.
14. Painted Mouse Pad
It is time to let the artist within you out! I’m talking about the painted mouse pad DIY mouse pad design idea. In this design, you’re going to use a simple and basic mouse pad base.
But over the top layer, you’re going to go full-on Da Vinci style. You can paint designs, people, pictures, and whatnot. Whatever looks the best to you and the people who use your computer, you can paint on it. Once the paint dries, you can use the mouse pad and have a good time.
15. Marble Mouse Pad
This is one of the DIY mouse pad design ideas that is the most effort taking out of all of them. You’re going to have to use a slab of marble to get to the final design of this mouse pad.
From the cutting of the marble to the shaping and smoothing of it, and the polishing as well, it is a lot of work, but trust me, once you’re done with all the work, the final mouse pad is going to look so good and feel so amazing that you’ll be glad you did the work.
16. Inexpensive Cardboard Mouse Pad
The best option if you’re just starting off with the DIY mouse pad design process to test out your skills and save a bunch of money is the inexpensive cardboard mouse pad DIY mouse pad idea.
All you’re going to need is a piece of cardboard that you’re going to cut according to the right shape and size, and just reinforce it with glue or tape to get the right thickness so that your hand doesn’t feel uncomfortable on it while you’re using your mouse.
17. Heart-Shaped Mouse Pad
This one makes a really good mouse for you and if you want to give someone a gift as well. The heart mouse pad DIY mouse pad design idea is a really good one if you want to try it out.
You’re going to want to cut a heart shape out of a base material and then place a printed heart on the top as the top layer. It will look pretty decent and at the same time, it will work well too.
18. Donut Mouse Pad
Another really cool design idea for your very own DIY mouse pad is the Donut Mouse pad design. This is going to use the simple base material or a mouse pad that you had already.
You’re going to cut a perfect circle on the mouse pad and then place a printed doughnut shape on top of the mouse pad base. This will end up making your doughnut mouse pad which will work great and look pretty fun and cool as well.
19. Children’s Mouse Pad
Now, it is possible that you might not be using the mouse pad yourself and you’re making a mouse pad for your children. If that’s the case, then the children’s mouse pad idea would be great.
What you’re going to do is pick a bright color, add confetti, different cartoon character stickers, and a lot of stuff to make the mouse pad look as attractive to your kids as you can. That’s all you need to do to create this mouse pad.
20. Soft Mouse Pad
You can actually ditch the rubber base material and go for something completely different and unique if you want to. I’m talking about the soft mouse pad DIY mouse pad idea. A piece of fabric or material that offers softness and comfort to the hand can be used as long as it imparts decent tracking capabilities to the mouse.
21. Patterned Mouse Pad
If you’re looking for a chic and decent design choice for your DIY mouse pad, then going for the patterned mouse pad DIY mouse pad design idea would be a great option for you.
What you’re going to do is simple. You’re going to take your mouse pad and add a top layer of printed patterned paper that looks neat to you. You get to choose the design. One thing’s for sure, it will look really good.
Conclusion
With these wonderful mouse pad DIY ideas, you can truly make yourself a masterpiece and have a great time using your computer with it. You’re going to enjoy it a lot and you can even recommend these ideas to your friends.
In DIY mousepads, the expense is limited and the results are according to your desire. I hope you learned a lot from this article and that you’re going to have a great time using it. May you have a great day ahead of you!