DIY Area Rugs

Measure the room and decide on a rug size. Use a metal tape measure for exact measurements. Area rugs do not need to fill all the floor space in a room but can be sized to fit under a specific seating arrangement or within an open space. Typically, area rugs are square or rectangular but they can be any shape you desire. When designing a shaped rug, measure the area as a rectangle or square first to get the overall size in which the shaped rug needs to fit. You will need this set of dimensions when purchasing rug material.

Create a paper pattern. Creating a pattern is only necessary if you are making a shaped rug. The paper pattern will become your template to use when cutting the rug material. Use paper bags, craft paper or butcher paper taped together as necessary to create the overall size of the rug. Place the paper on the floor in the area where the rug will be placed. Use a pencil to draw the initial shape onto the paper; draw over it with a dark marker for the final shape. Cut the shape out with a sharp pair of scissors.

Find and purchase material. Carpet remnants are easy to cut. Vinyl sheet flooring, jute and fabric can also be used. Your choice should reflect the decor in the room and the type of rug you need. For example, area rugs in well-trafficked rooms will require a very sturdy material, such as carpet or vinyl. Area rugs for a sitting room or bedroom can be softer and not as tough. A soft pile carpet or a thick, decorative fabric works well in these areas. Look for a fabric that is plush and comfortable to bare feet.

Place cardboard or plywood on the floor and set the rug material facedown on the protected surface. Tape the template to the back of the material if making a shaped rug or use a dark marker and outline the rectangular or square shape of the rug using a straight edge. Cut the shape from the back of the material using a sharp mat knife or, in the case of a fabric, use a sharp pair of scissors.

Bind the edges if necessary. Fraying can occur over time when using carpet, jute or fabric. Find a binding product at the fabric store or local carpet supply company that wraps over the edge of the material. Machine-stitch or glue the binding into place as the product instructions direct. Use a contrasting fabric edging or a wrapped stitch around the edges of a soft fabric rug.