Working from home full-time means I spend most of my day at my desk, so every part of my setup has to feel intentional. This premium full-grain leather desk mat from Harber London has become one of those small upgrades that genuinely improves my day-to-day.
I opted for the black leather version to contrast against my walnut desk. It’s a fairly minimalist look, but the contrast gives it a bit of punch without being flashy. The leather has a natural finish with small variations that give it character. You can tell it’s handmade and not something stamped out by a machine. The feel under your hands is soft but structured, and you get that subtle real leather scent when you sit down in the morning.
Shipping was surprisingly fast. It came from Spain but arrived in the UK within a few days with no issues at all. It was well-packaged and laid completely flat out of the box, so no curling edges or weird folds to deal with. Harber London offers the mat in a few different sizes, so you can get the perfect fit for your desk layout. I went with the large size, which comfortably accommodates my keyboard, mouse, and still leaves space for a notebook or phone.
The underside of the mat is lined with a soft felt-padding material, which keeps it from sliding around. My desk is solid walnut wood, and the mat grips well without any extra weight on it. It adds just a nice touch of cushioning under my wrists without feeling too spongy. My MX Master 3S mouse glides across the leather surface smoothly and effortlessly, with just enough resistance to feel controlled but never sluggish.
One of the small design touches I really appreciate is the discreet cut-out at the top edge. It’s made for threading a charging cable through, and it actually makes a difference to how tidy things look on the desk. I mostly run my keyboard charger through it, which keeps the cable neatly in place and out of sight.
At £119 it’s a pretty expensive desk mat, but you can see where the money goes. The premium quality of the leather, the craftsmanship, and the design all justify the price. This isn’t a mass-produced mat that starts to fray in a few months. It’s a long-term piece that brings something tactile and considered to your daily workspace. For me, it’s money well spent.