Add Style To Your Patio With A 'Rug' Made From Chalk Paint

There are a ton of different ways to make a patio or deck beautiful and unique. Some people like to enhance this space by bringing indoor living comfort outdoors with rugs. Outdoor rugs have their issues, though — they generally don't last very long and can damage the surfaces beneath them. If an outdoor rug is placed on concrete, mildew can develop. When placed on a wooden deck, an outdoor rug can contribute to wood rot due to moisture buildup. Replacing rugs, as well as outdoor rug cleaning and maintenance, can be a painstaking and expensive endeavor. Fortunately, there is a way to give your patio the look of having a rug without actually having one. This creative DIY involves using chalk paint and stencils to paint a "rug" onto your patio or deck, adding style to the area. All you need to brighten up your patio with a painted rug is a large stencil, painting supplies, painter's tape, stencil adhesive, and outdoor chalk paint. Outdoor chalk paint is waterproof, but sealant may be needed for murals exposed to extreme weather and intense sun.

There are many ways to customize this chalk paint rug. Since this is such a unique idea, though, it doesn't require much customization at all. No matter how you do this DIY, you will get a unique patio rug. This project can be done on both wood and concrete patios. For concrete, the paint will need to be thinned, though.

For this easy chalk paint DIY, spray some stencil adhesive on the back of your stencil to help ensure the paint doesn't spread underneath and spoil the pattern. Put the stencil on your patio, and apply a couple of strips of painter's tape to the edges to hold it in place. Now, use a paint roller to apply the outdoor chalk paint. After the first stencil pattern is finished, line the stencil up and repeat until you have a rug of the desired size. If you are painting a large stencil floor mural, it's a good idea to add a little water to your paint tray since chalk paint tends to dry quickly. You may also need to rinse your paint roller if the paint on it becomes dry and starts to flake off. When you are finished painting your patio rug, spray on some sealant (optional).

To customize your chalk paint rug, you can decorate with complementary colors that suit your home's exterior. For example, if your house is gray, light green or pink would be a good paint choice. If you want a border for your chalk paint rug, this can be achieved using a series of smaller stencils. Another simple way to customize this DIY would be to use different colors that complement each other for each stencil square. There's also no need to use stencils at all. If you have artistic talent, paint your rug freehand.