Most of us choose a rug the way we choose a sofa: by guessing, then by regret. A play mat is different, because the floor space you give it is also the floor space your baby will use for tummy time, rolling, sitting and eventually crawling. A quick measurement, plus a roll of painter's tape, can save you from a mat that crowds the doorway or sits in a corner it was never going to fill.
This is the method we suggest: measure, outline in tape, live with it for a few days, then decide. It takes about 15 minutes and a tape measure, and it works for any brand of mat.
What you will need
- A tape measure (metal retractable ones are easiest to read)
- Low-tack painter's tape or masking tape
- Paper and pen, or the notes app on your phone
- A second person, if possible, to hold the end of the tape
One note before you start: tape can pull at some floor finishes. Check your flooring manufacturer's guidance, test a small hidden spot first and take the tape up within a few days.
Step 1: Decide where the mat will live
Before you measure, choose a spot you could actually see yourself using every day. The best play zones usually share a few things:
- You can see it from where you sit. Near the sofa, the kitchen doorway or the spot where you fold laundry.
- It is not a main thoroughfare. You want a place you do not need to step over.
- It has some natural light. Mostly because you will enjoy being there too.
If you are torn between two spots, run the method below in both. The tape will tell you which one wins.
Step 2: Measure the clear floor, not the room
This is where most people go wrong. The size of the room does not matter. The size of the clear floor does.
- Pick a corner of your chosen area and measure along one wall until you hit furniture, a door swing, a vent or a spot you want left open. Write down this length.
- Measure the other direction, perpendicular to the first. Write down this width.
- Check the corners. If one is blocked by a radiator, a floor lamp or a basket, note how much it takes out.
- Measure twice. A two-inch miss can decide between sizes.
Play mat sizes are usually stated as length by width, so write yours the same way. Compare both numbers, not just the total square footage. A long, narrow space and a square space can have the same area and need very different mats.
Step 3: Know the footprints you are choosing between
Here are the three GRHomera Playmat sizes in inches, centimeters, feet and floor area. The centimeter values are rounded conversions.
| Size (length × width) | In centimeters | In feet | Floor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 × 50 in | 127 × 127 cm | about 4.2 × 4.2 ft | about 17 sq ft |
| 79 × 59 in | about 201 × 150 cm | about 6.6 × 4.9 ft | about 32 sq ft |
| 118 × 79 in | about 300 × 201 cm | about 9.8 × 6.6 ft | about 65 sq ft |
All three sizes are about 1.3 in (3.3 cm) thick in total, so the footprint is the only thing that changes. The mat also comes in Beige and Dark Grey. If you want to compare the two, see our guide to Beige vs Dark Grey. For the full dimension list and ordering links, the playmat size guide has everything in one place.
Step 4: Outline each size in tape
This is the part that makes the number real. A figure like "79 × 59" does not mean much until you stand in it.
- Start from your corner and run tape for the length of the smallest size you are considering.
- Run the second side to the width.
- Close the rectangle, checking that your corners are square (the diagonals should match).
- Repeat for the next size up, using a different tape line, or a different color if you have one.
Now stand in the middle of each outline. Imagine a baby on their tummy, an adult sitting beside them and a few toys. Does it feel roomy or cramped?
Step 5: Walk it, sit on it, live with it
Leave the tape down for two or three days, and use the room normally. This is the stress test most people skip.
- Walk the paths. Can you carry a laundry basket from the door to the sofa without stepping into the outline?
- Check door swings. Open every door that reaches the area, including cabinets and closets. A mat that is 1.3 in (3.3 cm) thick can catch on the bottom of a door that swings over it.
- Look at the edges. Furniture legs, floor vents and cords near the edge are worth noticing now, not after the mat is down.
- Sit where you would sit. If the space only has room for the baby but not you, go bigger or shift the spot.
- Think a few months ahead. A baby who is rolling today may be crawling soon. A mat that fits a newborn's tummy time may feel tight later.
Step 6: Match the outline to a size
You will usually land in one of three situations:
The clear space is about 4.5 × 4.5 ft
The 50 × 50 in square (about 4.2 × 4.2 ft) is the best fit for a compact, dedicated corner. It is also the smallest size we make, so if your clear space is tighter than that, see whether you can free up a little more floor.
You have a rectangle of about 5 × 7 ft or a little more
The 79 × 59 in rectangle gives a longer run, so babies who are starting to scoot have somewhere to go. It is the size we point to for everyday family play.
You have a room's worth of open floor
The 118 × 79 in rectangle is the largest in the range, and works best in an open family room where you can still leave clear walking routes around it.
If your space is in between, choose the size that fits inside your outline with room to spare, not the one you need to squeeze in. Pushing a mat against furniture can work, but be sure the mat is lying flat and nothing is sitting on its edges.
Common measuring mistakes
- Measuring wall to wall. Furniture, vents and door swings take floor you cannot use. Measure the clear area only.
- Comparing only the area. Check length and width separately against 50 × 50 in, 79 × 59 in and 118 × 79 in.
- Forgetting the unit. Divide inches by 12 for feet: 50 in is about 4.2 ft, 79 in is about 6.6 ft, 59 in is about 4.9 ft and 118 in is about 9.8 ft.
- Judging the fit before the mat expands. It needs 3-5 days to fully expand after unpacking, so check the edges once it has relaxed.
- Rounding in the mat's favor. If your space is only just big enough, choose the next size down or free up more floor.
The playmat size guide lists every footprint in inches and centimeters, and the GRHomera Playmat product page shows the sizes and colors you can choose from. If you want to compare options first, browse our baby play mats.
A few practical notes
- Do not judge the fit on arrival day. The mat ships compressed, and it takes 3 to 5 days to fully expand after unpacking. Open it early, give it time and check the edges once it has relaxed.
- Hard floors: The mat has non-slip backing. If you are placing it over hardwood, our guide to play mats on hardwood floors goes through what to think about.
- Playpens and play yards: Do not assume a mat fits inside one. Check the manufacturer's instructions and the internal measurements, and read our playpen fit guide before you buy for that purpose.
- Cleaning: Follow the care label that comes with your mat. Our cleaning and care guide explains what to check.
Your quick checklist
- Choose a spot you will actually use.
- Measure the clear length and width, not the room.
- Compare against 50 × 50, 79 × 59 and 118 × 79 in.
- Outline each size in painter's tape.
- Live with the tape for two or three days.
- Choose the size that leaves a clear walkway and room for you to sit too.
When you are ready, the GRHomera Playmat comes in all three sizes and in Beige or Dark Grey, with a coral fleece surface, memory foam cushioning and non-slip backing.
FAQ
Should I measure the whole room or just the play area?
Just the clear play area. Measure from wall to furniture, not wall to wall, and write the length and width separately.
How much walkway should I leave around a play mat?
There is no universal number, but a good test is whether you can carry something like a laundry basket past the mat without stepping on it. The tape outline lets you test this in real life.
Does the thickness change between sizes?
No. All three sizes are about 1.3 in (3.3 cm) thick in total.
How long do I wait before the mat reaches full size?
The mat is compressed for shipping. Allow 3 to 5 days to fully expand after unpacking, and follow the supplied instructions.
Which mat size should I tape out first?
Start with the smallest size that could work, then tape out the next size up. Compare both with your clear floor length and width, and live with each outline for a couple of days. The size guide lists all three footprints so you can choose with the numbers in front of you.
— The GRHomera team