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Step Up to a Work-of-Art Doormat
Stomping your feet at big-box-store mats? Paint a plain doormat for your entry to exactly match your style
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over at Lauren Elise Crafted where I highlight crafts, DIYs and tutorials, photography, vintage finds, and all things lovely.
I went to architecture school but am now a design and craft blogger over... More »
The front door is the usually first thing you see before entering a home. It is just a door, but it can make an impression and say a lot about the people who live inside. Tackling the front door can be a big project, but a colorful doormat could be just the trick to infuse new life into your entry.
Here's how to turn a very basic doormat into a personalized work of art.
Here's how to turn a very basic doormat into a personalized work of art.
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| The doormats you find at the local home improvement store can be uninspiring and common. I like the texture of the cocoa fiber mats, but I wanted something with color and without corny sayings on it. |
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I opted for a blank mat and decided to transform it myself with acrylic paints. I envisioned some waves of solid color and an arrow pattern. I wanted to convey a California desert vibe to go with my succulent and cactus collection.
Treat your mat as your own blank canvas and use your imagination to come up with colors and patterns that suit your style.
Treat your mat as your own blank canvas and use your imagination to come up with colors and patterns that suit your style.
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| Materials needed:
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| Step 1: Decide on your colors and patterns. Acrylic paints work great for this project and can be purchased at the craft store for less than $1. I went through a few sponge brushes, since the rough texture of the mat tears up the sponge. Have a couple on hand. Paint the mat by dabbing the brush in an up-down motion. |
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Step 2: Paint however many colors you want on the mat. I opted for turquoise and marigold. Go over the paint with a second coat for deeper hues.
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| Step 3: If you want to include a pattern, draw it out on a piece of paper. Use an X-acto knife to cut out your drawing, making a stencil. |
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| Step 4: Working in a well-ventilated area, place the stencil over your mat and use spray paint to color it in, following the instructions on the can. For the pattern, this technique worked better than painting with the sponge brush, giving more even coverage. Reposition the stencil and spray again until you have a completed pattern. |
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Let the mat dry overnight before allowing people to walk on it. The color may fade a bit with use but you can always add another coat of paint to touch up.
When guests come to visit, the mat is one of the first things they will encounter. Your new one will make a great first impression.
When guests come to visit, the mat is one of the first things they will encounter. Your new one will make a great first impression.
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| This would also be a fun project to do with kids. They could personalize the mat with their drawings and then give it to a grandparent or other relative for a usable piece of artwork. Something you make yourself has much more meaning than something purchased in a store. With projects like this, you can allow your handmade items to tell a story and reveal a side of your personality to your visitors. Shop doormats in our Products section More: How to Choose the Right Rug for Your Entryway Guest Picks: 20 Products to Pretty Up Your Front Porch |
Ideabook published on April 12, 2012.
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Many years ago used a similar technique to create a circle of Seahorse silhouettes on wall-to-wall Seagrass as wanted the design to be centered in a small interior space. Supplies consisted of acrylic craft paint mixed with fabric medium, stencil foam pouncers and a homemade stencil made out of poster/bristol board. It worked out well, looked great and stood up to high traffic.