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Drop Cloth DIY Rug
Drop Cloth DIY Rug
In the Designer's Words: "My laundry room is the room that we enter and exit our house, 99.5% of the time. I recently decided that this room needed a runer but I felt like the Prince in Cinderella trying on all sorts of runners in the room. They were either too dark, too light, too busy or too small. The tile, being so geometric, made me think I wanted a rug that was less so…more free-flowing. So, what’s a crafter to do when she can’t find what she needs? Yea, she makes one. So that’s just what I did…I made a floor cloth for my laundry room using a drop cloth and paint.
I'm a big believer in Kismet, things happen for a reason.While I had initially planned on purchasing a rug for this area, the floorcloth really proved to be the better option.
I was able to make it the exact size I wanted.
I was able to tailor the colors to just what I needed.
Any rug in this room with be subject to much wear and tear. I wanted a lighter color rug, but a white fiber rug would not have been practical. This floor cloth can easily be wiped off or mopped as needed. And when the day comes (which shouldn't be for a long time given the 3 coats of sealer) that it is beyond salvage, it won't be the end of the world as I have only invested $24 in this rug ($13.98 for floor cloth and $8.97 for the 2-sided tape)."
Estimated Cost$21-$30
Time to CompleteIn an evening
Primary TechniqueDIY Craft
Project TypeMake a Project
Materials List
- Heavy Duty Canvas Drop Cloth, mine was 6? by 9?
- Latex primer
- Latex/Acrylic paint in the colors of your choosing
- An acrylic sealer. Acrylic is less likely to yellow than an oil-based polyurethane. I used Polycrylic
- Assorted paint brushes and rollers
- 2-sided carpet tape (The tape in my roll was about 3? wide, so I cut it in half vertically)
Instructions
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This was the second floor cloth I’ve made. For the first one that I made several years ago I purchased the gessoed cloth, but this time I decided that I could prime the cloth on my own. After much research, I purchased a Heavy Duty Canvas Drop Cloth from Home Depot and went to town. The one I purchased was 6′ by 9′, which allowed me plenty of room to tailor the size I wanted.
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After I washed and dried it, I primed the drop cloth with several different brands of previously opened latex primer that I had in my garage (another plus of this project was the modest depletion of partially opened cans of paint...less to move). I applied 2 coats of the primer and then let it dry. Once the primer was dry, I applied two coats of an interior latex paint that I also had on hand.
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The next step was to 'hem' the rug. I turned under 1 1/2" all the way around. I marked the fold with chalk all the way around, turned the rug over and then began to fold, using the chalk guide. You can use a variety of methods to secure this 'hem'. I found that 2-sided tape works the best.
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Once the paint was dry, the real fun started...the design on the 'rug'. As I said, I wanted a design that tended more organic/free flowing rather than geometric. Basically, I just started doodling and came up with a design on a piece of paper which I then transferred to the canvas with a pencil.
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I then went over the pencil markings with some all-purpose white acrylic paint.
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I loved how it looked, but when I put it in my laundry room, the white was just a little 'too white'. I yanked it back out, mixed up a very watery white that had a little more tan in it and very lightly went over the original white. I did not try to hide the white, I just 'de-whited' it a tad.
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Once I was happy with my simple design, I sealed the whole rug with 3 coats of a polyacrylic sealer.
Why You'll Love This Recycled Craft
1. Customizable Size: One of the top reasons to make the Drop Cloth DIY Rug is that you can create a rug in the exact size you need for your space. Whether you have a small laundry room or a large entryway, you can tailor the dimensions of the rug to fit perfectly.
2. Personalized Colors: With this project, you have the freedom to choose the colors that best match your decor and personal style. Instead of settling for a pre-made rug that may not quite match your vision, you can create a unique and personalized design with the Drop Cloth DIY Rug.
3. Easy to Clean and Durable: The Drop Cloth DIY Rug is not only stylish but also practical. Made from a durable drop cloth and sealed with multiple coats of sealer, this rug is easy to wipe off and clean as needed. It can withstand wear and tear, making it a long-lasting addition to any room in your home. Plus, with a low cost of materials, it's a budget-friendly option for adding style and functionality to your space.
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flowergirl
Jun 02, 2018
How creative is this DIY Rug? Since this rug is in a high traffic area it needs a thick heavy fabric that can withstand the wear over a long time and this was incredibly easy to do. I need one of these DIY rugs that can complement my style and size perfectly plus if it wears out, you can make a new one.
mulberrygalprinces s
Aug 23, 2017
What an ingenious idea. I never would have thought of this. It's so simple. I can't find the right size carpet for my kitchen, so this would take care of that. And I can use colors that will fit in with my decor. This is a great idea for me. Thank you.
Crafty Suz
May 07, 2017
I had forgotten all about these types of projects. I think I saw this method used on HGTV years ago. Thanks so much for sharing it. I need something for my living room as I have torn out the carpeting that was put in when the house was built. Right now we are walking on the plywood underfloor. This is great for a floor cover that will work until I can find the flooring I really want. I'll look into this and see if I think it will work for a temporary floor cover.
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