Latex Painted Rug: Easy DIY Room Décor Project

So it’s Pinterest challenge time. I’m challenging myself to get more done around the house and this month I’m painting an area rug (again) using latex Paint.

When I completed my project list last month, there were a couple of things I had put off for wayyy too long. One of them being to replace the rug in my son’s room. I painted a rug with latex paint before and it turned out great. Problem is, I gave it to a friend who needed a rug for a conference display back in April and told them they could keep it afterward.

His room has been rug-less since this and I kept saying I was going to get to it and this week I finally finished.

Listen, this is one of the easiest projects you can do in your home if you need a quick cute rug or if you need a temporary rug

As a part of my kick in the pants to finish more projects, I’m making myself more accountable by jumping into the Pinterest Challenge hosted by  Erlene at My Pinterventures  at least every other month. That’s six projects a year I MUST do outside of my normal routine. I think that will help get those little things done because my creative juices flow a little too much and I forget about the projects that need to be done. As I complete them, you’ll know they aren’t my original ideas, but I’m giving you a tutorial to let you know my take on the whole thing.

And now on to the easiest DIY room decor project you could tackle. Painting a cheap rug with latex paint. I got my inspiration from Oh My Goods.com. She painted a beautiful patterned black and white rug.

Supplies

• Carpet/area rug of your choice. I used a 4×6 $20 rug from Walmart. But a thrift store find could work too.
• Painters Tape or stencil. These are really cool
• Scissors
• Paint (I used water based-primer, but only because that’s what I had on hand, but really any latex paint will do.)
• Paintbrush
• Measuring tape
• Wet rag

Step 1: Figure out the pattern you want to paint on the rug.

Start by doing a quick sketch of what you want to pant. The possibilities are endless and really, this is the part that will take the longest depending on the pattern you pick out. That’s really the beauty of DIY room decor. You are not confined to what stores tell you to buy.

I wanted something similar to my original rug, so mine was amazingly simple. You can also use a stencil.

If you are centering your pattern, be sure to use a measuring tape to find the center of your rug. My pattern was a little random so I didn’t worry about this step. I have to tell you, I’m a lazy DIY-er sometimes, I wanted it random so I didn’t have to measure.

Step 2: Place your tape or stencil over the rug to form the paint pattern

To get the stripes without too much hassle, I put down three strips of painter’s tape and pulled up the center. Again, a lazy cheat so I wouldn’t have to measure. Press down the edges of the tape as best as you can to seal it and prevent seepage.

Step 3: Apply your latex paint to the rug

It’s time for the fun…and this part of the project goes really fast. Use even strokes and dabs, not globs. The paint will dry exactly how you see it. Make sure you’re careful not to drip any paint on your rug. Keep a wet rat nearby to wipe up any drips. I don’t try for 100% coverage, the white will be pronounced enough against the black that it doesn’t need to be perfect. Most rug patterns aren’t perfect so a little paint outside the lines is more authentic.

Step 4: Watch paint dry

Not really, don’t watch. Go do something productive. Let the paint dry for about an hour then do a second coat if necessary. I definitely needed a second coat.

Step 5: Remove the tape

Remove the tape while your paint is wet! Dried paint and tape is not a good comibination.

Sit back and admire your work.

Since this is a DIY of a DIY and I tried to go back and find the original person I pinned it from. There are a million tutorials for painting rugs for good reason. It’s so easy you’ve got try it.

A few questions on this easy DIY room decor project

Does the painted rug look cheap?

Well, that depends. If you live in a high-end home and all your furniture comes from Z-Gallerie, you’re not reading this budget blog. So yeah, it looks cheap to you. But if you bounce between Home Goods and Walmart like me, this rug will pass. I wouldn’t put it in my living room for sure, but it does just fine in a  young boy’s room.

What does the painted rug feel like underfoot?

Short answer: rough! Some DIY room decor projects are for looks only. This is one of those times. That’s actually why I decided on a simple pattern. I’ve seen tutorials where they’ve covered entire rugs and while they look amazing, I wouldn’t want to walk on a rug covered by latex paint. In fact, on the old rug, I made sure the painted part was positioned away from his bed so that when we all kneeled down for bedtime prayer it wouldn’t scratch our knees.

How long will it last?

This stuff isn’t going anywhere. The latex seeps deep down into the fibers of the rug and doesn’t come off. On my original rug, I didn’t use any type of sealer and the latex paint did get a little dirty.

How much paint do I need for my rug?

That’s actually pretty hard to answer. It will depend on the type of rug you buy and the pattern you choose. The first area rug I painted had more of fuzzy texture and it soaked up a LOT of paint. However, the nap on the one I purchased from Walmart recently didn’t take nearly as much paint. I also chose a minimal pattern. If you choose a busy pattern you’ll need more. I would buy at least a quart to stay on the safe side.

So are you up for the challenge of painting an area rug?

 

 

To join next month’s #pinterestchallenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ October Pinterest Challenge

Now let’s see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!

Erlene – My Pinterventures • Alexandra – Eye Love Knots
Joanne – Our Unschooling Journey • Laurie – My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
Jenny – Cookies Coffee and Crafts • Kristie – Teadoodles
Beverly – Across the Boulevard • Katrin – Kreativ K
Debra – Shoppe No. 5 • Gail – Purple Hues and Me  • April – Stampin Fool
Chelsea – Making Manzanita • 
Julie – Sum of their Stories • T’onna – Sew Crafty Crochet
Michelle – Our Crafty Mom • Lisa – Blogghetti
Marie – The Inspiration Vault • Kelley – Simply Inspired Meals
Debbee – Debbee’s Buzz • Shirley – Intelligent Domestications
Habiba – Craftify My Love • Marci – Stone Cottage Adventures
Kenyatta – My Design Rules • Kelli – The Olympic Nest
Roseann – This Autoimmune Life • Terri – Our Good Life
Leslie – Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Lydia – Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen