Creative rugs on a budget

Moving into a new apartment is exciting, but covering 75% of its hardwood floors can be challenging, especially on a budget (agggghhh!!). Hardwood floors are so beautiful, so it's a shame when landlords make tenants cover them (okay, not really - I get why); I just want to admire more than a quarter of my floors:). Of course, I looked at the usual discount shops (Target, Ikea, TJ, etc.), and hunted Craigslist multiple times, but the options were pretty lackluster.  Fortunately, other thrifty tenants have run into the same challenge; my favorite idea was from Bartleby - paint dropcloths. 

DISHCLOTH DROPCLOTH RUG



You need: 

• 1 lined paint dropcloth 
• 2 packages of dollar store dishcloths (for 5'x5') 
• Paint  
• Iron 
• Ultra fusible bond tape, at least 3/4" wide

To make:   

1. Unfold dropcloth & turn on iron. 
2. Follow instructions on fusible bond tape, & attach to 1 side of first dishcloth. Repeat for all 4 sides of dishcloth. 
3. Follow same instructions to attach dishcloth to dropcloth in the pattern you want. FYI, the dishcloths do not fit perfectly across, but are pretty close. 
4. If desired, paint.

 


PAINTED DROPCLOTH RUG

Clearly, I needed a larger dropcloth for my living room, so thank goodness the cloths come in multiple sizes. This rug is my sad ode to Jackson Pollack in pinks & purples. I loved making it, and highly recommend throwing paint. However, I'm not so certain my floor would agree. Apparently, not all dropcloths are lined. Not only was my floor also pink & purple, stuck to the rug in places. It required using a mixture (of course, products were not actually used together) of Murphy's Oil Soap, Goo Gone & Meyer's general cleaner over several hours and days to remove all the paint. Thus, be sure your dropcloth is lined.



UPHOLSTERY DROPCLOTH RUG

You need: 

• 1 lined paint dropcloth 
• Upholstery remnant, enough to cover dropcloth with extra for hemming (or close)
•  Iron 
• Ultra strength fusible bonding table, at least 3/4" wide 
• Quilt batting to cover dropcloth

To make:  

1. Unfold dropcloth, & turn on iron.  
2. Measure upholstery fabric to evenly cover dropcloth, & hem.  
3. Follow fusible bonding tape instructions to adhere to upholstery fabric, and repeat for each side.  
4. Follow same instructions to attach upholstery fabric to dropcloth on one side. Repeat for 2 more sides.  
5. Slide quilt batting through opening on 4th side between fabric & upholstery.  
6. Attach 4th side to dropcloth.   

*NOTE: Do not worry if your upholstery remnant does not quite fit, furniture can disguise it. 



Dropcloth rug pros: 

• Cheap - $5 for a 5'x5' & $19 for room-size (maybe 15'x12')
• Neutral color
• Very paint-friendly

Dropcloth rug cons:

• Easily wrinkles
• Does not quickly vacuum
• Not very cushy for walking & standing

** NOTE: Use either quilt batting or a rug pad underneath dropcloth to add cushioning, and help keep it in place. An old comforter or blanket could also work. Of course, furniture will help anchor it in place.