Breathe New Life Into Your Hallway Runner Rug With This Creative DIY Upcycle

Getting beautiful décor doesn't require big purchases. Sometimes, the foundation for your next statement piece is already lurking in an old item. This is certainly the case for DIYer Sarah Teresinki's (@redeux_style) upcycled rug concept, which takes an old hallway rug and transforms it into a fabulous table runner. Nice table linens can be expensive, but this rug project gives you the table runner of your dreams, all for the price of one can of paint. With just some watered-down chalk paint, Teresinski creates a beautifully patterned table runner.

Teresinski takes inspiration from a black-and-white rug from House of Nomad. Her project starts with a plain white hallway runner — for your rug, look for anything with a flat woven texture that matches the size of your dining table. A rug with a flatter texture will be easier to paint on, but if it is raised, you could theoretically still make it work with the right paintbrush. For the chalk paint, Teresinski uses Behr Chalk Decorative Paint, which costs around $25 per quart. Another excellent option is Rust-Oleum Interior Chalk Paint, usually sold at around $22 for 30 ounces. Since the paint will be watered down, you don't have to buy a large quantity — if you happen to have leftover chalk paint from another DIY project, this is a perfect chance to use it. The final supply you'll need is a paintbrush. Any paintbrush will work, but a dense, rounded brush will be best for painting a rug.

This DIY project is easy but involves painting on a large surface, so you may want to follow how Sarah Teresinski does it and utilize an outdoor workspace where paint spills won't be a big deal. Start by planning your pattern with painter's tape. Teresinski uses a classic grid pattern — if you're interested in a more abstract geometric pattern, feel free to experiment with other tape designs, as well. Just remember that the tape creates the negative space of the pattern. 

Once you're happy with your tape design, you can prepare your paint. Using a mason jar or old cup, combine some of your chalk paint with room-temperature water. Watering down the paint will make it easier to manipulate and help fully dye the fibers, rather than the pigment just sitting on the surface. Using a full, rounded paint brush, begin painting the exposed areas of the taped rug. Pay attention to the crevices in the woven fabric, and use your brush to push the paint into every nook and cranny. Depending on the color effect you wish to create, you may need to go over areas with multiple coats. Peel off the tape and wait for the paint to dry — Teresinski also suggests putting the rug into the dryer after the paint is dry to help the color fully set. And with those simple steps, you'll have a gorgeous table runner that will elevate all your future tablescapes.