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DIY Stenciled Rug Tutorial {Using Spray Paint!}

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Yes it’s true, I painted my rug yesterday whilst Nick was at work. I didn’t tell him of my devious plan, because I knew the look he would give me. I don’t recall how the idea came into my head. But I’ve been wanting a beautiful decorative area rug in the living room for quite some time now. I’ve even spent hours on overstock.com looking at all the different options, knowing we wouldn’t have the money for it anyway. We’ve been living with this off-white 5×8 rug that we got on clearance at Walmart… yep, Walmart.   For $17.

Before the DIY stencil, this rug was a boring off-white color that looked drab and dirty

I found it to be very boring and solid in color, lacking the ‘statement’ that I wanted it to make. So I set out to give it a little boost in life!

Supplies you’ll need:

  • Boring solid color rug
  • Stencil
  • Can o’ spray paint
  • Painters tape
  • Measuring device

Project total:  $0 for us! We already had everything!!

Using a large stencil we picked up at Hobby Lobby for a  nursery project, I started laying out my increments. This was a stretch for me, for I’ve become very dependent on my better half and his mathematic skillz. But I found that the stencil fit across the 5′ side of the rug 3 times (with about an inch to spare… no biggie), and on the 8′ side, 5 times! It wasn’t a perfect fit on either side, but with a stencil, you have the benefit of having give on either side. Allowing a little extra room between increments, or squeezing them just a little closer together.

Measure out how many squares of the stencil you can fit on the carpet before starting your projectSince there are to be 3 stencils on the 5′ side, I divided the rug evenly with tape going long-ways. Losing the width of the tape ended up being ok because there was some extra space when laying out the stencil 3 times. Make sense? No?

Use painters tape to create a grid to determine where your stencils will go on your carpet

Slap on your stencil kids! I used a can of Rustoleum Satin Espresso spray paint we had lying around, but you could use any color, any brand. On the first couple, I took the time to tape and cover with newspaper, but I found that this was unnecessary, because there was almost no overspray if you’re careful.  I was pleasantly surprised by how crisp the lines turned out!

Tape down the stencil and make sure to surround it with newspaper to prevent any paint from getting on the carpet outside of the stencil

 

Spray over your stencil making sure to fully cover the area

 

Remove the stencil, careful not to smudge the paint, and continue around the rug in the area you measured off

Continue around the rug, being careful to use proper increments based on your measurements.

On this size rug, I could fit three rows of five stencils with the measured space

 

Continue to move the stencil around the outside of the rug, making a border around some empty space in the middle of the rug

 

This new DIY stenciled rug project is complete! Let dry completely before moving back into your home.

Until your DONE!!! Isn’t it sooooo much better?

Here ’tis in our living room!

This once boring, drab rug now looks SO much nicer with the DIY stencil pattern along the border.

I absolutely love how it turned out. It brings texture and visual interest into our boring living area. And it’s not ‘crusty’ like you might think!!  As for durability, we’ll see over time. But if it starts to wear off, I’ll just remind myself that this project cost me ZERO dollars and chalk it up as a learning experience.

UPDATE: it’s been a week now, and the rug looks exactly the same as when it was originally finished!! Crisp lines, and great color. And after being lived on and walked on, the slight crustiness has diminished completely and it’s soft and fluffy to the touch! You can feel no difference between the unpainted portions and the painted ones! Holla!!

With the coffee table in the center of the rug, the newly finished DIY stencil patterns looks amazing and matching the design of the room!

When Nick got home from work, he loved it! And admitted that he would have been skeptical had I told him of my bizarre plans beforehand.

Have you guys ever painted something unconventional like a rug? …or curtains for that matter? Was it a victory or fail?

Small print:  no babies were hurt in the making of this rug, with the help of a respirator mask and a 68 degree day. Can’t wait to meet my twin girls!

Related:

Comments

    • 66

      I used spray paint, which is always oil based. I will tell you that we had this rug in a high traffic area, and after about 6 months, it was very faded. It was fun for a season, but if you’re wanting something that will last, don’t go this route!

      Reply
  3. 69

    I LOVE your Rug! i was in same boat, kept looking and looking for a rug every where! So spring 2014 i saw a pinterest post on painting a canvas to use as a rug n i started digging for other tutorials on rug painting…. I hand cut my stencil from cardboard and hand painted after drawling in sections my design. cost me 30 bucks for the rug and tester house paint pots and 1 quart of my main color so 50 for whole project!! way better than 100++++ lol great job!

    Reply
  4. 72

    I just finished painting a rug today, with a foam roller, latex paint, and foam brushes; the problem is, it came out very stiff. Not something I want to walk over at all. How is the texture of your painted rug? Is there a difference in using spray paint, as opposed to latex?

    Reply
  5. 74

    I have done something similar! I used a decorative rubber outdoor mat as a stamp. It turned out pretty great.

    Reply
  6. 76

    I decided I wanted to make a wall hanging to match a pretty box I had, so I bought some muslin! I wanted it to resemble canvas! Anyway, I used stencils, but I did sponge paint it. I taped the stencils down, as well so they wouldn’t move on me. To give it a stronger feel, I cover painted the whole piece which is 4×6 feet. First I did the borders just using a yardstick and then placed the stencil patterns inside of the borders.
    I think it turned out nicely. I bought a dowel and painted it black and then a couple of tassels and it hangs today!
    Jane

    Reply
  7. 77

    I love this stencil but wasn’t able to find one like it. Is there any way you could take a pic of it and post that…so I can make my own…??? Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  9. 79

    Bethany,

    I happened to see your blog just yesterday from some link and got a chance to read about your life/babies and your spirit above all.
    You are so smart in your work and I loved all your furniture painting and stenciling on the chests.
    Your girls are also absolutely adorable.
    God bless you and your family……..loved reading your blogs.
    Luv.
    SM

    Reply
  10. 81

    I love the rug sooo much.I want to try the paint for my couch.I have been looking at paint for upholstery,do you think it has to be that kind?

    Reply
  11. 83

    I love how your rug turned out although it was a very risky venture to begin with. I was toying with the idea of painting our Walmart rug with a nice border to revive it and then I came across your post and got a huge burst of inspiration. I did it yesterday, sadly my project was nowhere as good as yours and I decided that spray painting on stencil is only for the expert hands. Some of the problems I had:
    1.I used my own stencil made from a plastic folder, the edges in the design started curving in after about half the rug was done. This became so messy and towards the end of the border my design (which was very crisp to begin with) cameout very blotchy. Was I doing something wrong?
    2. The spray paint vapors were driving me crazy although I was wearing a mask.
    Having said that, I also loved the fact that it was done quickly and dried in no time. But overall, I am gonna stick to the brush for stenciling I guess.

    Reply
    • 84

      I’m sorry that you’re didn’t turn out as well! I’m guessing that the reason your stencil corners started curling up is because of the homemade stencil. The solvents in the spray paint eat away at the plastic…. we’ve had similar problems with our homemade stencils when using spray paint. On this particular project, we used a stencil purchased from Hobby Lobby, and it must have some solvent-resistant qualities, because it held up quite nicely.

      As for the fumes, this project is best done outdoors so you don’t get yourself all high in the process. I also had a pretty hefty respirator mask on (because I was pregnant) and couldn’t smell a thing. They’re only about $20 if you want to invest in one for next time.

      Reply
    • 85

      Thanks for your input! That explains a lot about the stencil cause the one you used was store bought and it retained its shape till the end. I tried stenciling with a brush on canvas last night and it came out soooooo beautiful. I am in love with stenciling now…..thanks to you and brooke from Allthingsthrifty.
      I think I’ll try the spray paint again on some other project, got a whole can of it left that I can use with your advice now.

      Reply
  12. 86

    Awesome idea!! Been looking for a rug to go beneath kitchen table but anything pretty is too expensive so definitely going to try this. I did make some cafe curtains last summer for my window over kitchen sink. I stenciled white over a tan linen fabric and i love them and they were so easy. Jist wish i knew how to add a pic so you could see them. Thanks for the idea and howto!!

    Reply
  14. 88

    I’m planning on painting a cow print rug for my boys bedroom…do u think the crusty feeling will be worse on larger portions or still wear away ok?

    Reply
  15. 89

    I’ve heard of people doing this same thing to canvas rugs or concrete floors in the basement or patio and have it work out great. Wouldn’t think it would work as well on a rug with a thick pile, so keep us posted about how long the pattern lasts.

    Reply
  16. 90

    WoW! This is a beautiful outcome of a scary project!! I’m getting ready to do something similar. My sister gave me two beautiful rugs that match my shabby chic decor to a “t”. One problem…I have two 701b. aussies! And I take them hiking in the mornings and they have all day access to the back yard even when I’m at work, rain or shine. WELLLLL…needless to say, in ONE day these beautiful pastel cotton rugs were already footprinted. Before she gave them to me, I had planned to paint some canvas floorcloths to cover my newly done floors SO, I’ve decided to Polyurethane my rugs! Yes! It’s ok if they’re hard because I want to be able to mop them off. We’ll see what happens. ANYBODY with sugesstions, PLEASE offer them. Thanks.

    Reply
  21. 95

    i found you through better after also. i love what you did with that rug….so creative. and i love your pregnancy announcement video. it brought me to tears….. how did your family react when they saw it?

    i love all of the great projects you have done in your house…i’ll be watching for updates on the girls!!

    hugs, cindy

    Reply
  27. 101

    Saw your rug on Better After. I love it! Thanks for sharing the how-to. This is definitely going in my try-it-someday file.

    Reply
  32. 106

    I love this!!! I’m gonna have to do the same things as you… not talk about this project until AFTER it’s done then see what he thinks. 😉

    Reply
  33. 107

    I love this!!! I’m gonna have to do the same things as you… not talk about this project until AFTER it’s done then see what he thinks. 😉

    Reply
  34. 108

    I just saw your project on the Paint Ideas facebook page – I love it!! I would not have thought to use spray paint on carpet, but it turned out so great! Maybe I’ll try this on our blah carpets in the basements tv/play room! =)

    ~ Mara @ Super Savings

    Reply
  35. 109

    I just saw your project on the Paint Ideas facebook page – I love it!! I would not have thought to use spray paint on carpet, but it turned out so great! Maybe I’ll try this on our blah carpets in the basements tv/play room! =)

    ~ Mara @ Super Savings

    Reply
  38. 112

    Beth, this project looks amazing! So creative and such a cool finished look. Thank you so much for using Rust-Oleum and keep up the great work on all your projects.

    We like it so much, we’re going to post it as our project of the day over on our Paint Ideas Facebook page tomorrow.

    facebook.com/paintideas

    – Rust-Oleum Scott

    Reply
  39. 113

    Beth, this project looks amazing! So creative and such a cool finished look. Thank you so much for using Rust-Oleum and keep up the great work on all your projects.

    We like it so much, we’re going to post it as our project of the day over on our Paint Ideas Facebook page tomorrow.

    facebook.com/paintideas

    – Rust-Oleum Scott

    Reply
  51. 125

    Gosh Beth!!! You are SOOOOOO stinkin smart and amazing and SOOO talented. YOu make my blog look BLAH!!! I think you need to give me some of your inspiration. Luv ya.
    Deborah

    Reply
  52. 126

    Gosh Beth!!! You are SOOOOOO stinkin smart and amazing and SOOO talented. YOu make my blog look BLAH!!! I think you need to give me some of your inspiration. Luv ya.
    Deborah

    Reply

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.