Paint A Rug on Your Floor

You can change the look of a room in just a day or two by painting a faux area rug on the floor. The best part about a faux rug versus a real rug is customization! You can create your very own design using whatever color palette you wish to match your room perfectly. You just have to be a little crafty.

This project will take about a weekend to complete, due to paint drying times. However, it's not very difficult, and it is super fun!Here's what you'll need:
- Painter's tape
- Paint roller with 1 roller for each paint color
Tip: Depending on the surface you are painting, you may need different types of paint. Be sure to consult an expert at your local paint store.
- Paint brush
- Paint tray
- Floor paint (if you're painting outdoors, be sure to get exterior paint)
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
- Utility knife
- Sand paper

Optional supplies:
- Stencils and small paint brushes (for more elaborate designs, such as Rebecca's pictured above)
- Artist gel medium (if you are using lots of layers of painters' tape, it is recommended to coat with gel medium 1-2 times before painting to eliminate seepage)
- Spackle (DoItYourself.com recommends spackling and sanding the gaps between the wooden slats for even coverage and a more realistic look)

Instructions:
1) Plan, plan plan! It's a good idea to sketch up your design before making the first stroke.
2) Clean your floor thoroughly with an appropriate cleaner. You may want to consider lightly sanding the surface to help the paint stick a little better.
3) Measure the entire rug area, mark it and tape it off using the painter's tape.
4) Apply 2 coats of paint to the floor using a roller, or paint brush if you are working with small details or a freehand drawing.
5) Remove the tape using your fingers or the utility knife.
Design Tip: At this point if you desire, you can add cute little tassles to opposite ends of your rug using a paint brush.
6) Let the paint dry, based on the recommended drying time.
7) Apply 1-2 coats of the appropriate sealer if you are working outdoors to further protect it from the elements. You can also seal an indoor rug, but be sure to speak with a professional for the best sealant choice. Let dry.
8) Step back and admire your work!

If Rebecca's design seems like a daunting task, go over to HGTV and see how they created a simpler geometric design using just one color and some painter's tape.