Giada DiLaurentiis swears by this $60 hack to fend off back pain from long days standing in the kitchen – it's discrete, stylish, and perfect for chefs
Protecting your back while spending hours at the stove can be difficult, but the celebrity chef has found the secret with an affordable anti-fatigue mat


For those who like to cook, there can be an undeniable pleasure in spending hours creating in the kitchen. However, days spent standing at the stove are not as kind to the knees and back. Luckily, celebrity chef Giada DiLaurentiis has discovered the solution: the Happy Feet Linen Anti-Fatigue Mat.
DiLaurentis explained her kitchen layout trick to The Strategist, describing the mat as one of her favorite things. She states: 'I started using these when I was shooting my show Everyday Italian because my back would hurt so badly after long days. Then I started putting them in my home. I have them by the sink, stove, and refrigerator. I’ve had them for 20 years, and the way I’ve designed my house and kitchen, you can’t see them unless you’re standing right on them.
The chef isn't the only one in her home who loves these mats. They're also an important part of making her kitchen pet-friendly. She explains: 'I’ve had to buy new ones every five years because I have three dogs, and they like to scratch them up. My German shepherd likes to lay on it and sleep, even though he has dog beds. I always find him on one in the morning.' If you have large dogs that you don't want on the mat, it's worth considering storing them while not in use.
If you spend hours a day cooking, this stylish mat is the perfect way to keep your back and knees healthy while standing. The advanced technology, stylish design, and easy to clean surface make it the premier product of its kind. The resilient foam material reduces aches and pains by grounding the whole body on a softer, bouncier surface.
If you struggle with aches and pain of any kind, you might consider how mats, pads, and packs can help you deal with discomfort at home. Though we can't promise these solutions will fix everything, they can be a great tool for getting started. Our Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, recommends the following essentials for chronic pain in cold weather.
More Editor-Approved Back Pain Essentials
The small round gels are perfect for targeted pain in the hips and lower back, and the wider ones are great for inflammation and aches on the legs and back. You will need covers for these, but in a pinch, slip them in a clean sock and secure them in your clothing for max relief.
These fast-heating electric heating pads are portable, discreet and effective. Check the waist band will fit you (largest length on this is 37 inches). They make a little bit of noise but nothing above a whisper and will be easily muffled in conversation.
This weighted pad is great for pain relief in your upper back, shoulders and neck. It weighs 2.6 lb and has 9 heat settings though in my experience, tolerating this level of heat on the neck can be a little harder. If you are always feeling drafts, this is a winner.
If it's good enough for such a highly regarded chef, it's good enough for us. Looking to the home brands beloved by celebrities is always a great place to look for inspiration.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

Sophie is a News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Stripes move over, I have surprised myself by deciding to decorate with dots instead – and designers agree they can be far more sophisticated than you might think
They might be known for their playfulness, but I've seen a whole new sophisticated side of this whimsical print
By Eleanor Richardson
-
Isabella Rossellini's European-designed chef's knives are currently $65 off – and these luxury cooking tools have been around for over 200 years
These stunning German-made knives have a rich history, including being used in the Conclave actress's kitchen – and they're now on sale at Wayfair
By Sophie Edwards
-
The most organized room in Giada DeLaurentiis' home might not be her kitchen – her closet storage is ultra-sleek (and replicable for under $20)
The chef's closet features slim hangers and floating shelves for a space that is functional, smartly designed, and visually stunning
By Hannah Ziegler
-
Giada DiLaurentis has discovered a dog bed that you will want to leave out for guests to see – and it's so easy to customize
Celebrity chef Giada DiLaurentis teaches all about how to transform a common eyesore into a point of pride in the living room with monogrammed dog beds
By Sophie Edwards