Custom DIY Area Rug From Placemats

2 Materials
$70
50 Minutes
Easy

Are you looking for an area rug but coming up short on selection? How about designing and creating a custom DIY area rug! This DIY has high end results without the high end price tag. An easy how-to that takes less than an hour! Quick, easy and budget friendly, yes please!

Choose the placemats

Choose placemats you'd like to use for a rug, and if there is room, lay them out on the floor of the aisle to gauge design. I used these placemats for my custom DIY area rug.

To seam the placemats together, use single sided carpet tape. This is the carpet seam tape I recommend.

Remove backing from tape, and place the mat halfway onto the tape, saving the other half for the next mat.

Join next placemat to the first, pressing down on the seam to secure.

Repeat step with another placemat. The placemats making the circumference edge of the rug will be joined on 3 sides to other mats. The center mats will be joined on all 4 sides.

Press the seams together to create a tight fit.

Continue steps until custom placemat rug is completed.

Eager to explore more renter-friendly transformations?

Dive into our slideshow on 9 Gorgeous Updates That'll Make a Renter's Dreams Come True or check out more ideas for how to reuse and repurpose fabric for DIY projects here You'll be amazed at the possibilities!

Resources for this project:
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Farmhouse 1820
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Frequently asked questions
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  • Mary McDonald Mary McDonald on Jun 13, 2022

    After reading a lot of people’s comments, opinions and compliments it just occurred to me..if left outside could it safely be sprayed with outdoor furniture protector? I also thought that if the rug just stays inside, would it be possible to just put a good couple of coats of say, Mod Podge or the like on the rug-in order to keep the fibres in place, add some protection, keep the pets and kidlets safe. People wrap loose fibre cord all the time using Mod Podge to protect and glue on their project. It can also add a nice finish depending on the various types of Mod Podge used.

    Also if the seam areas are getting loose or curling up, I might use hot glue as a repair. From my experience Gorilla Glue sticks have my vote.

  • PAMELA PAMELA on Aug 07, 2023

    How about whip stitching them together with twine that matches the natural fibers in the mats?!

  • Claire Laurain Claire Laurain on Dec 16, 2023

    This is lovely - however - NOT if you have a CAT! As someone who volunteers in the cat room of an animal shelter, i know that jute is the material used in the fabrication of most cat trees/scratchers… why? Bc cats love to scratch it! If you make this nifty rug from anything containing jute, sissal, (or possibly even hemp) - your cat will think you made them a giant scratching mat…

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  • Trudi Trudi on Nov 16, 2023

    I'm pretty sure I can afford a rug for the price of those placemats plus tape!

  • Angel Angel on Feb 06, 2024

    What a clever idea! The possibilities are endless! Can't find the size you want or a color combo make one quickly and easily!

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