easy Spray Paint Welcome Mat

Want a quick front-porch refresh that costs almost nothing? This easy spray paint welcome mat is the kind of project you can knock out in an afternoon with painter’s tape and a can of spray paint. I started with a plain, inexpensive little rug, taped off a bold border, and gave it a fresh coat of color. Then I took it one step further with a simple monogram stencil, because a custom touch always makes it feel extra “you.”

How to Create a Border on a DIY Welcome Mat

I applied the tape all around the perimeter of the rug. Mine is carpet fibers, but you could also use an inexpensive sisal rug.

RELATED Content: Spray Painted Outdoor Rug for Camper

TIP: Don’t Waste Tape

I wanted my outside border to be thick, so I made it as wide as the painter’s tape. Instead of wasting long pieces of tape, I used a couple of short pieces so I knew where to place the second section.

For the next section, I just eyeballed it.

Use Paper to Protect Unpainted Areas

I used some printer paper to cover up the center of the rug. I reused those smaller pieces of tape that marked the outside border to hold the white paper in place.

Choose Your Favorite Spray Paint for the Welcome Mat

My first thought was to use black paint, but then I remembered I have this beautiful Oxford Blue (satin) from Krylon. It was cold outside, so I was working on this part of the project indoors. The paint had been stored indoors as well, so I decided that as long as the paint and the project were warm, I could get away with spray painting outdoors.

I rubbed the tape down as well as I could and laid the rug on the tarp. When spraying a project like this, it’s best to hold the can at a horizontal angle so the paint doesn’t accidentally spray under the tape.

Spray Light Coats Evenly

 I sprayed a very light, quick coat all over, then applied a slightly heavier second coat. This is after those two coats.

Remove Tape Carefully

I removed all tape from the outside in, with the paper as the last to be removed.

Ta-da! It’s done!

DIY Spray Painted Welcome Mat

Here it is outside my diy picket fence gate! I love, love, love the dark blue spray paint. I’m so glad I didn’t paint it black.

Do you think it’s missing a little somethin’ somethin’? Me too!

How to Make a Monogram Stencil

I designed a “W” in my Silhouette program and used my Silhouette Portrait to cut it out of contact paper to use as a stencil.

After weeding the monogram from the contact paper, I laid it on the small rug to decide where to place it. It fit perfectly in the center of the area I left.

I peeled the backing off and placed the contact paper stencil on the rug.

Painter’s tape helps hold the contact paper stencil in place.

I used white craft paper to protect the rug’s outer edges from the spray paint.

Because the contact paper doesn’t fully adhere to the rug fibers, I had to spray straight down rather than at an angle.

DIY Stenciled Monogrammed Welcome Mat

Perfect! I love, love, love how it turned out. This was such an easy project, it makes me wonder why I waited so long…. and I still have four more rugs left!

Pin this idea for later!

This is the Welcome Mat I made for the cousins. It says Welcome to Dogpatch! The pooch resting on the mat is my sweet Louie! Using contact paper stencils, there is no limit to creating your own custom welcome mat!

I would appreciate it if you could Pin it!

Be sure to visit my friends to see the fabulous “after” of these thrift-store items.

Stenciled Wood Chest  by Petticoat Junktion

Chalkboard Wall Art by Our Southern Home

Rattan Lamps by Domestically Speaking

Easy Spray Paint Welcome Mat by My Repurposed Life

Painted & Upholstered Stool Makeover by Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Repurposed Farmhouse Tote by Refresh Restyle

It’s all about the thrill of the hunt for me! Do you love thrift shopping as much as we do?

gail