She Uses Paint To Cover Her Wood Deck Without Buying A Pricey Outdoor Rug

Your deck is boring, or maybe the wood isn't as fresh-looking as it used to be. An outdoor rug is an easy solution to add color and cover boring planks. But it also comes with a hefty price tag — even cheap outdoor rugs often cost over $100, and higher-end ones cost several hundred. One crafty homeowner, Morgan R, shared her alternative on TikTok. She painted a rug design directly onto her wood deck.

Now, painting a rug design isn't the same as having an actual rug. You'll still see cracks in the boards or other flaws in the deck. And you don't get the soft feeling underfoot or the protection from splinters and rough surfaces. But it is a creative way to decorate your deck with customized designs. Instead of searching for a rug that matches your style, you can create it with the exact colors and patterns you love. And while the original creator paints her rug on a deck, you can do the same on a concrete patio — it's an easy way to skip resurfacing for a stylish, more affordable way to refresh an old patio.

The paint is the primary supply you'll need for the project. Acrylic and latex deck paints are the most affordable options, but you can also choose oil-based or epoxy paint to make the designs last longer. You'll likely want at least two or three colors to create patterns and contrast. Pick colors that coordinate well with your home's exterior, or pull colors from planters, flowers, and other design elements in the area. If you want to make your small patio look more spacious with paint shades, try light neutral colors. For concrete, choose paint designed for concrete porches.

Starting with a clean, smooth surface is essential. Pressure washing is an effective way to clean a deck or patio — just be careful not to gouge the surface. You might need to sand some rough spots on the wood. Wait until the surface is completely dry before you paint. Washing it the day before gives it more time to dry out.

@morganzuhmakes

Personally I don't see a problem with this 🤷‍♀️💅🏻 #paintedrug #outdoordiyideas #painteddeck #diy #paintwithme @Valspar @Wagner SprayTech painted rug on deck

♬ original sound – Daryl Hall & John Oates

Then, decide on your rug design. You can use painter's tape to create straight lines and separate different sections. If you're painting a wood deck, you might use the planks as edges for the rug design to create natural breaks. The original creator used a round object to create the half-circle scalloped edges on her painted rug. You could also paint little tassels along the ends. Or, find a stencil with a pattern you love to recreate the look of a patterned rug on your deck. You can go as basic or as detailed as you want. Once you have your design planned, apply the paint in each area to finish the rug.

In the original design, the creator paints one large area rug on the patio. You can also paint a smaller welcome rug near the door on your patio or deck. If you have wooden steps leading to a deck, paint tread rugs on each step. And if you already have an outdoor rug but want to replace it with the painted version, use it in an easy DIY privacy screen to add style and seclusion to your backyard.