My poor front stoop looked severely neglected after a long, hard winter. The doormat was literally torn in two. And the ick and gunk that had accumulated underneath it was too horrifying to mention.
Not very welcoming is it? It’s a little too soon (up here in the cold midwest) to put out my flower pots, but I figured I could at least spruce the place up with a personalized welcome mat.
This little DIY couldn’t have been easier. I am so in love with it that I think it will be my go-to housewarming gift. Here’s what I used:
- A plain doormat – Mine came from Lowes, but I’m sure you could fine one anywhere. IKEA has a coir mat that would be perfect for this project.
- Masking tape – I used 3″ and 1″ tapes
- Exterior spray paint – I used Krylon Outdoor Spaces in Earth
- A big letter – I used a wooden letter that I had laying around but I could have just as easily cut one out of cardstock.
- Diet Dr. Pepper – optional
I used masking tape to cover up the areas that I didn’t want painted. If you don’t have the right size masking tape on hand, you could easily use paper strips to create your borders. Just secure them in place with straight pins.
On my mat, I created one border using the 3″ masking tape and the 1″ tape to create a second border, leaving about one inch between the two. I used a ruler to make sure that my borders were even the whole way around the mat. Since there is some texture to my mat, the masking tape doesn’t stick perfectly. That’s ok.
I put the letter in the center of my mat and masked off two smaller areas that I thought I wanted to stay the original color. I changed my mind later, but it was an easy fix.
Next, I gave all the exposed areas a good coat of my spray paint. The trick to this step is to spray straight down as much as possible. If you spray at an angle, you risk getting paint under your tape.
Let the whole thing dry for about an hour.
Now comes the fun part! Hold your breath and start peeling back your tape. Did it work????
YES!!!!! After I pulled off all the tape, I decided that I didn’t like the little lines next to my “R”, so I used my drop cloth to cover up everything but those two little sections and covered them with paint. Easy peasy.
Since I used exterior paint, it should hold up, but I’ll keep you posted.
Expense for this little project? About $20. And that was all for the mat. Everything else I had on hand. I think I’m going to make another one with our house number on it.
Does your front porch need a little spruce up?
Linking up with SAS Day!
{ 35 comments }
That is a great idea!! These harsh Pittsburgh Winters always destroy our doormat, I was thinking of just moving somewhere warm instead of replacing it this year
Sam´s last blog ..Advantages and Disadvantages of Selling Your Home in the Spring
Wow, that is a pretty awesome project. I am definitely going to try it myself. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Kelly @ Wisdom Begun´s last blog ..It’s the little things
Wonderful idea! The mat looks great & so welcoming, you’re right that it would make a great house warming gift!
I LOVE this project!! Your doormat looks amazing, great job! I’m going to try this!
seriously love this. how easy?!?
Jessica@SewHomegrown´s last blog ..Cleaning-Organizing Tip- Childrens Books
This is fantastic. I love it.
Also love that you just had a huge R hanging around. That wouldn’t happen to me. I’ll work on it though.
Thanks for sharing!
The Mommy Therapy´s last blog ..Heres a Helpful Tip Ladies
Hey Kimba,
This is great. I particularly like the idea of putting my house numbers on the mat. One question, do you have to spray paint it? I have a lot of exterior door paint left over from painting my door (a quart was overkill). Is there a way I could re-use that paint (it would match my door!)
April
Oh my gosh!! I love this how to! I’ve been looking at a rug at Pottery Barn that runs $59.00-$109.00 http://www.potterybarn.com/products/personalized-door-mat/?pkey=cearth-friendly-rugs-windows
This would make it SO easy to copy for so much less $$! Awesome job!
Angela´s last blog ..Wonderful Random Wednesday
I love this even more because I would choose an R too! I have a rubber mat I would like to do this to. I was thinking of using paint instead of spray paint because I don’t know if it will stick to rubber.
Lisa´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesdays- Finally One Sunny Day!
Mine does! We moved in about 6 weeks ago, and I still haven’t found a door mat that I like for the front. I may steal, er, borrow your house number idea.
Cute! Cute! Cute! Thank you for the tutorial :0)
Very nice and very useful tutorial. Thanks.
- Joy
I LOVE this! I may have to copy this for my front door, thank you for sharing, Kimba!!
I love that! When my husband gets around to painting my porch I’ll try this, seeing as how we have NO mat out front. Not good! : )
Heathahlee´s last blog ..Milk on Tap
What great idea! It turned out so nice.
What a great project! I’m going to have to bookmark it to give it a try.
Wow, what a great way to personalize your front entry! It is funny how the paint makes the mat look 3 dimensional. I love it.
Love, love that idea!
I saw a similiar project on a round mat, but I never really thought about putting our initials or house number on a mat. That will look just great! Will definitely have to try that!
I am a new follower and in love with this easy peasy doormat idea! I have just been cleaning my front porch since I live down here in the deep south…Alabama where spring has sprung and porches are being Opened for Sitting season! I so need a new door mat! I will make one next week…pay day!
Blessings
Gmama Jane
P.S.
I just posted some terrific Strawberry recipes today and more tomorrow so hop on over to my blog and have these recipes ready for when spring finally arrives at your house!
http://grandmamasstories.blogspot.com
Gmama Jane´s last blog ..ITS STRAWBERRY TIME
Brills!! Very well played by you!
I did something very similar to the same doormat from Lowes a few weeks ago! I made a contact paper stencil and sprayed on a W in the corner:) I love the idea of using the wooden letter, because now you can use the letter for other projects too! Here’s a link to my doormat if you want to check it out: http://the-wilson-world.blogspot.com/2011/03/five-minute-monogrammed-doormat.html
Kelli´s last blog ..Adding a Little Spring
Hi Kimba,
YOur new door mat is really chic! LOVE the letter on it! And it was so easy. My doormat could use a re-do too!
Thanks for the inspiraton!
Yvonne
this is such a great idea! i have been trying to find a mat everywhere!
I cannot WAIT to try this. Will you come hold my hand, though? Because I’m liable to end up with a spray-painted face. My trigger finger is unreliable at best.
LOVE this DIY project. I already have tape and about 8 gazillion cans of spray paint lying around. I think I’m going to try it!
Kellyology´s last blog ..Grocery Shopping on a Budget
What a great idea! I shared your page on my blog, can’t wait to try this….
Love this project…it is like leaving your MARK (or at least initial) on your doorstep
Oh, your previous mat was sure a sad sight…winter can be tough on an outdoor rug for sure!
xx Cat brideblu
I read your blog all the time and appreciate all the projects you share. This time I just had to comment – it’s so simple, so clever and so classy looking. And, it fits right in with the whole monogram letter trend. This one definitely stays in my DIY project file! Thanks.
What a great idea! I cant believe how easy it looks to do! I would have never thought to do that! Great inspiration!
Lisa
http://www.pickfair.etsy.com
What a fun idea. I’ve got to include this in my Sunday roundup!
Lesley @ The Design File´s last blog ..Guest post- Making pysanky- a family tradition
Looks just like the fancy monogrammed ones you can buy!! Great job!!
And don’t be toooo jealous, I just spruced up my flower pots and my deck but its rained so much AND turned cold again that in the past 2 weeks we haven’t even sat outside one time!! ;(
http://megschmitt-neveradullday.blogspot.com/
Megan´s last blog ..Baby Girls Room- A Spring Clean & A Tour
I’m so glad I found this post at Just a Girl’s link! My mat is almost totally trashed. I’m heading to lowe’s for paint this morning and will grab a mat too! Thanks for sharing!
This looks fantastic! I’ve seen so many painted rugs, but I’m definitely too scared to try it on something for inside – I think I might just have to give this a try!
This doormat is SO cute! I absolutely love it!! You are so creative, Kimba!!
Amy´s last blog ..Applebee’s Honey Grilled Salmon
I tried this idea, it ended up great!!
Love it, so easy, and it looks great!! 