DIY

Don’t spend another minute plagued by an ugly or outdated wallpaper border! A few tools and an afternoon are all it takes to drag a room out of the past and into today’s modern stylings.

Though not always considered essential, area rugs provide comfort and warmth for hard floor surfaces, while adding aesthetics to a room’s design. But the hunt for the right rug is not always easy. Whether you’ve been holding back on buying one because you haven’t found the right style, size, or price range, we’ve got good news: You can make one to fit all of those parameters. If you’re DIY-ing your rug, you can customize it for your own tastes and needs. Choosing a color is the best place to start. If you already have lots of bold patterns in the room, a more subtle, single-colored rug might be the right counterpoint. If you want your rug to have as much personality as a piece of furniture, let the colors and patterns sing out. When it comes to size, there are a few general rules to follow. An area rug’s dimensions should be based on the seating area, not the entire room. When you’re sitting on the furniture, you want the rug to provide cushion and coziness for feet, so make sure at least the front legs of sofas and chairs are on the rug in a living room. In a dining area, center the rug under the table, with enough space to pull the chairs out on top of it. At the entryway of a home, open the door fully, and plan to place your rug about 6 inches beyond that. Aim to make your rug the width of the door, or slightly greater. Finally, texture may be overlooked, but it plays a huge role in creating layered and lush room design. A rug can provide a necessary element of texture, whether it’s a chunky rag rug or a smoothly painted sisal. No matter the space you’re working with, you’re bound to load up on inspiration from these 10 smart makers and the DIY rugs that now dress up their floors. From a handwoven kitchen mat to a painted area rug, click through these DIY designs to find the style that speaks the most to you.