How to Paint a Summery Floor Cloth for Your Newly Finished Floor

Select summery stencils. Seashells, "flip-flop" sandals, lighthouses and seagulls can all be used to create a beach theme. Alternatively, you can capture the growing season with flowers or a large and cheerful sun shape. Patriotic stencils are appropriate for national summer holidays.

Select your paint colors for both the background and the stencils. Lighthouses could be white and black, while seashells are often pastel-colored. Seagulls can be white and gray, while almost any color is appropriate for flowers and sandals. Patriotic colors are red, white and blue; yellow is the quintessential color for sunshine.

Launder and dry the canvas.

Measure the width and length of the space for your floor cloth with a measuring tape.

Measure along one edge of the canvas to the width measurement plus 2 inches. Mark the measurement with a pencil.

Measure along the perpendicular edge of the canvas to the length measurement plus 2 inches. Make another mark.

Cut the canvas with scissors from the width mark to the opposite edge, following the straight weave. Cut the canvas from the length mark in the same manner.

Fold the left and right edges of the canvas over 2 inches; insert pins to secure the hems.

Sew a straight seam 1-3/4 inches in from each edge and remove the pins.

Fold the top and bottom edges over 2 inches, inserting pins.

Sew a straight seam 1-3/4 inches in from the folded edge and remove the pins.

Spread a drop cloth on the floor and center the canvas on top, right side facing up.

Place a liner in the paint tray and fill it with a summery shade of paint, such as yellow, coral, mint green, cool blue or white; this will serve as the background for your finished design.

Roll the paint roller through the tray and paint the floor cloth using long, overlapping strokes. Let the paint dry before applying a second coat, and letting it dry.

Tape the edges of the stencil to the cloth using painter's tape.

Pour quarter-size amounts of the paint designated for your stencil onto a paper plate.

Dip the flat end of the pouncing tool into the paint and dab the tool across the stencil's opening. Paint the entire stencil in this manner.

Reposition the stencil in another space to continue the design in your preferred manner across the cloth. After the stenciling is complete, allow the paint to dry.

Place a clean liner into the paint pan and fill it with sealer.

Attach a new roller cover to the roller, roll the paint roller through the sealer and apply it to the cloth with long, overlapping strokes. Let it dry.

Apply another coat of sealer, and let it dry before walking on your new floor covering.