How to Paint a Braided Rug

A braided rug is a great candidate for painting. The braided material lies flat and allows for painting without the fibers getting matted down, as would happen with a traditional loop rug. Painting a rug is a great way to add a little color to your room with very little cost and time required. In just a few hours you can have a brand-new, hand-painted rug. Start with a simple design, like a border, and add more complex details as you feel more comfortable.

Vacuum
Drop cloth
Low-tack painter's tape
Latex paint
Roller

Instructions

- 1
  Vacuum the rug thoroughly to remove all dust and debris. If particularly dirty, take the rug outside, hang it over a chair and beat the dust out of it with a broom.
- 2
  Lay the rug flat on a drop cloth. A braided rug is porous and will allow the paint to seep through the fibers and ruin the floor underneath.
- 3
  Determine a design. Start with a border. Measure 4 to 8 inches from the edge of the rug all around the perimeter. Mark the rug with chalk every 6 inches. Tape off the border with low-tack painter's tape. Use a thick tape to help prevent painting outside the tape line.
- 4
  Paint the rug using a foam roller or a foam brush. Use a small amount of paint, continuing to add more until you get a depth of color that you like. Allow the border to dry completely and slowly remove the tape.
- 5
  Evaluate your rug and determine additional designs. Use a stencil to add decorative elements to the rug in the same color or another complementary color.

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