Get The Look Of A Custom Doormat For Less With TikTok's Simple DIY

If you're having trouble choosing the right doormat for your home, consider making a customized one instead. Although that might sound a little intimidating, it really couldn't be easier. All you need to do is follow the steps of TikTok user @bysophialee. You'll apply acrylic paint onto a blank mat with stencils, which will give the piece a personalized touch without breaking your budget.

To start the project, you'll need to gather your materials. Sophia Lee picked up a blank doormat from Target that cost $10 — the Solid Beige Doormat from Room Essentials is only $7. On top of that, an 8-ounce bottle of Acrylic Paint by Craft Smart costs under $4 at Michaels — you can choose whatever color (or colors) you desire, though Lee just used black. You'll also need some painter's tape which you probably already have on hand, as well as a foam brush — the Royal & Langnickel Foam Brush 3-Pack is sold for under $5. A clear sealant is also necessary, like the Flex Seal Sealant Coating, sold at Walmart for about $15. As for stencils, Michaels has the Mixed Font Alphabet Stencils that cost under $10. However, you could also use a shaped stencil or opt to freehand the word or design instead. The options are seemingly endless when it comes to customizing your doormat.

In the video by @bysophialee, she points to an item that she fell in love with, which happened to be the Sunny Days Doormat from McGee and Co. Unfortunately for Lee, the item is sold for $90, which was apparently (and understandably) out of her budget. That's why she was inspired to come up with a customized version that didn't cost as much, and she definitely succeeded. You can do the same and achieve similar results.

To complete this project, start by laying your blank mat out on a flat surface. Then, bring out your stencils and arrange them however you desire, using the painter's tape to create straight or wavy lines or to secure the stencils. Once the design is to your liking, squirt out some of the acrylic paint in your color of choice onto a paper plate or a tray and dip a sponge brush into it. Dab the brush over the stencils, ensuring that you fully cover the inside of each of the letters or shapes. Remove the tape and stencils and check that the piece looks how you want it to — if necessary, you may need to fix some of the lines with your brush. Once the paint is dry, cover the entire mat with the clear sealant. You can also periodically re-apply the sealant to ensure that the mat holds up for as long as possible.

As for what to put on your mat, that's up to you. It could be a friendly message like "hello!" or your family's last name. Additionally, instead of letters, you could use other stencils. For instance, opting for seasonal inspiration is possible with the $4 Flower Stencils for summer and the $11 Snowflake Stencils for winter from Michael's. They also have 12-inch by 12-inch Pattern Stencils that have many different designs and cost $10. 

Further, while Sophia Lee chose to use stencils, that doesn't mean that you have to do the same. In fact, in the video, she tackles this DIY project along with a friend who can be seen taking a more freehand approach to her design. You could do the same and stick with waving lines, adorable polka dots, and simple stars. Those who aren't sure where to start can look to popular options at retail stores or online for inspiration. If you take a peek at social media, you might spot one that has a list of everything you need to grab before you leave the house — think along the lines of your phone, keys, and glasses. There are also ones with classic sweet sayings such as "There's no place like home." Images are also a trendy choice, like a bright artistic eye or merry little holiday gnomes. In fact, there are so many ways to customize an affordable DIY doormat that you might want to make more than one.