Painting on Linoleum to Make Rugs

With a little paint and a few supplies that you can find at any home improvement store, you can transform a scrap piece of linoleum into an attractive and functional rug. Linoleum rugs are durable, easy to clean and with proper surface preparation and sealant, your designs can last for years. If you don't have any spare linoleum laying around for this project, visit a flooring store and ask about purchasing remnants at a discounted price.

Utility knife
80-grit sandpaper
Damp cloth
Shellac
Natural bristle paintbrush
Alcohol-based primer
Paint roller
Oil-based paints
Marine varnish

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the linoleum to the desired size of your rug with a utility knife.
- 2
  Sand the top of the linoleum vigorously with 80-grit sandpaper. This roughens the smooth surface so that the paint will adhere well.
- 3
  Wipe the linoleum clean with a damp cloth and let it dry completely before you begin painting.
- 4
  Brush a thin coat of shellac onto the surface of the linoleum with a natural bristle brush and wait for it to dry.
- 5
  Apply one coat of alcohol-based primer to the rug with a paint roller. Apply a second coat of the primer when the first coat is completely dry.
- 6
  Paint your linoleum rug with oil-based paints in the colors of your choice. You can paint the rug one solid color or use a variety of colors to create a design.
- 7
  Wait at least 24 hours after you finish painting to make sure that the rug is completely dry.
- 8
  Apply a coat of marine varnish to the rug with a natural bristle brush. This will seal the rug and protect the paint from wearing away when it is walked on.

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