Reuse An Old Rug To DIY A Gorgeous Outdoor Planter With Floral Energy

The fun of buying a new rug for your home is quickly tampered with by the thought that you will likely discard the old rug. What will you do with it, especially if it's dirty beyond repair? Yes, you can put it in your trash can, but it will just end up in your local dump. Instead of trashing your unwanted rug, you can do a clever DIY project as you combine the rug's sturdy, stiff build with cement to make a gorgeous outdoor planter with floral energy. The rug's durable build, along with some cardboard, quick-dry cement mix, and spray paint, will help you sculpt and create an embellished petal form in a clever upcycle of a standard planter.

Rugs aren't the easiest things to recycle. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), of the textiles discarded in 2018, 73 percent of rugs and carpets went to the landfill. A rug made with synthetic fibers (i.e., not jute or other natural fibers) consists of several layers glued together, with nylon, viscose, and polypropylene often part of the construction. Due to these multiple layers, separating and recycling the rug into individual material pieces can be cumbersome, a task required by special recycling plants. You may not have a multi-purpose recycling plant in your area but want to give new life to your old rug. Try this great way to repurpose an old rug.

If you've never worked with cement before, especially in crafting or DIY, don't worry. Most popular options, like Quikrete Concrete Mix, only require you to add water to the pre-mixture. You will need to take a piece of cardboard and cut it into a petal shape. Then, using it as your template, trace the petal design on your rug and run the tracings down the rug's length until you get around 10 to 12 petals. You could certainly do more or less, changing the petals' size as you desire. 

After you pour the cement mix and add water, following the directions on the bag, you will need to soak the petals in the mixture. Cover the planter with a plastic bag to protect against it and a piece of cement-dipped circular fabric to create the pot's interior surface, and apply the petals around the bowl. Place pieces of cardboard or wood between the petals as they dry to direct their shape, ensuring you'll have enough space to paint between them. Next, apply cement to the outside of a plastic bowl, as this will form the base of your flower pot. Remove the bowl once everything has dried.

You will need to wait for the cement to dry before you attempt to paint or decorate the petals of the planter. One of the best aspects of this project is how you can customize your flower planter. The design is lotus-flower inspired, but you could certainly paint the pieces another color. For instance, a black and white color combination could make a striking modern planter to elevate your outdoor decor, as could a grey and white motif. You could also do a green planter with red or pink petals for a romantic touch to your garden or backyard. 

Consider the different ways you could accent the planter as well, perhaps by stringing flickering solar fairy lights. If you've always wanted to explore mosaic art, this planter project could be a great place to start making stunning DIYs with mosaic art trends. You could adorn the petals with an array of colorful glass pieces for decoration, like those from the Youway Style Store Multicolor Iridescent Glass Mosaic Tiles for Crafts, so you can enjoy the way they catch light in the sun.  

And if you don't have any old throw rugs to upcycle, you can use old towels as well. If you really love the final piece, consider using your leftover towels to DIY a matching outdoor coffee table.