Before You Throw Out That Rubber Floor Mat, Try This DIY

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You know that old rubber floor mat that's faithfully welcomed you home for years? It's looking shabby and the time has come to throw it out. But how about giving it a creative DIY upgrade instead? All you need is a can of spray paint, imagination, and glue to create stunning wall art that is both thrifty and versatile. 

For a subtle addition to a room, choose a neutral color or something that blends in with the furniture and other elements already in place. Brighter colors lend themselves beautifully to an eclectic, upbeat style, while warm, summery hues are welcoming. Get inspired by these color combinations that will transform your home's interior.

If your poor old mat is just too ugly, you can pick up a new one for around $40, like the Calloway Mills Lilac Vine Rubber Doormat. Choose a shape and size that suits where it will be placed in your home. While most are standard rectangles, some are curved or semi-circular, which adds extra interest. 

Before starting, make sure your mat is clean and dust free. Spray paint it using even, broad strokes, and set it aside. You can do multiple coats if you'd like more color coverage — just make sure the paint dries properly in between each layer.

For a distressed paint effect, follow these hacks on how to DIY a distressed painted look. Choose antique colors, such as cream, eggshell, or Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Satin Vintage Teal. Distress the paint by using a hand sander or block of wood and medium-grit (100- to 150-grit) sandpaper. This gives you good control to create the look you want. Remove just enough paint to give your art an authentic, aged iron appearance. Attach your completed work of art to the wall using the one of the types of glue you should have on hand for home and garden upkeep. For most surfaces, UniBond's No More Nails is ideal.

The YouTuber above used narrow rubber stair mats to frame their bathroom mirror. Instead of a distressed effect, they opted for gilt-edged glam to match the vibe of the room. Using boards as a backing, the mats create the feel of a solid frame. Skip attaching the mats to a board, choose a softer color, and you have delicate swirls for pared-back sophistication.

Creating one of the best themes for kids' rooms gives you many opportunities to use an upcycled mat. For space-besotted kids, use a rubber drainage mat. The rows of symmetrical circles sprayed metallic silver or gunmetal gray are perfect wall linings to turn an ordinary bedroom into the control room of a high-tech spaceship. Wall-mounted mats double up as a soft landing for when playtime gets exuberant.

Think pink for your princess's wall, and attach a mirror with draped fairy lights for a soft reflection. Another cool idea is to spray the mat their favorite color and glue on an old yard sale picture frame. Leave a gap at the top to slip in their latest artwork or a photo of their favorite person, a furbaby, or friends.

Some kids prefer to sleep with light in their room. As an alternative to a nightlight, use glow-in-the-dark paint, like the Krylon Glowz Spray Paint. The paint charges up during the day and under electric lights. At night, it emits a comforting glow which fades slowly, helping kids adjust to nature's best sleeping condition.