Roll out floor cloth instead of area rug

Floor cloths make a statement, whether traditional or contemporary, bold or subtle.

An alternative to area rugs, they are made of heavyweight cotton canvas painted with latex or acrylics and sealed with many coats of a clear protectant for substantial durability.

You probably won’t find them in stores. They are created by experienced artists who sell them and amateurs who dabble just for fun.

“Some people buy floor cloths because they want something different and special for the floor,” said Fran Rubinstein, who displays her works at juried art shows and takes custom orders. “Others just do it because they have a bad floor and want to cover it up. And some people don’t even put them on the floor, but hang them on the wall instead.”

While it helps to have an artistic side, amateurs can create floor cloths, too.

“If you can paint a wall, you can paint a floor cloth,” said Lisa Curry Mair, a floor-cloth artist and author of “Floorcloth Magic.”

Mair said anyone planning to make a floor cloth should start small. “The most popular size for someone just starting out is a 2-by-3-foot rug that can be placed in front of the kitchen sink,” Mair said. Then people gradually work up to a larger rug. But you don’t want to be overwhelmed.”

CREATE YOUR OWN

Mair’s steps for creating a lasting floor cloth:

1. Cut a piece of canvas slightly larger than desired finished size. Mair uses No. 4 canvas; the higher the number, the lighter the canvas. Soak and let air dry so it shrinks.

2. Prime one side with latex paint.

3. Cut to size, allowing for a hem at least 1.5 inches wide. Fold and press hem. Use a mitered corner so all rough edges are contained. The hem is noticeable, so it must be straight. Stitch around the edge.

4. Paint base or background color with several coats.

5. Lay out design. Make sure it is centered.

6. Paint from middle to outside, from background to foreground. Use several coats of paint if necessary. Do border last.

7. Let dry about a week.

8. Start protective finish process. Mair uses Minwax Polycrylic, which doesn’t yellow. Use four coats semigloss and one coat satin finish. Final coat can be a glossy finish. Allow to dry completely between coats, at least 24 hours in humid climates.

9. After final coat, allow to dry one week before putting on floor.