Last Updated on December 28, 2015 by Kristi Linauer
One project I’m going to embark on in the next few days is making a painted floor cloth for my kitchen. I’ve wanted to do this for many years now, and since my kitchen floor needs some color, and I don’t really want an actual rug, this is a great opportunity to make a floor cloth.
After looking at different canvas options online, and then poking around at Home Depot this weekend to see what I could find, I actually decided to use a remnant piece of vinyl flooring for my “floor cloth”. I think it’ll be more durable, and won’t be prone to wrinkles and waves like canvas can be.
So with my vinyl, paint and primer “at the ready”, I now just need to decide on a design. Stripes seems like the easiest and most obvious choice, so if I go with that, which way should the stripes go?
And then I’ve considered a chevron pattern, and possibly a concentric rectangle pattern.
Any input? Tell me your thoughts!!
Edit: I wanted to see for myself what a concentric rectangle pattern would look like, so I whipped up this quick little pic. I made it too big, but at least it gives the idea.
Hmmm…what say you?
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
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41 Comments
Mall Rat
March 14, 2011 at 7:03 pmI like the first picture. Love the colors !!
Aprile
March 14, 2011 at 7:05 pmI like the first also. I think the 3rd may show too much dirt with the wide beige rectangle
The Washer
March 14, 2011 at 7:08 pmI like the first one the best also-and totally agree with Aprile (at least that's what would happen in MY house!
Stacy
Julie
March 14, 2011 at 7:16 pmI like the first as well. I really like the third, though. Maybe a different color in the center rectangle so the dirt doesn't show…??? I can't wait to see this tutorial though! You will do a tutorial, right?? Pretty please??? I found some left over vinyl in my attic a couple weeks ago and thought about using spray adhesive and a drop cloth and then poly-ing the whole thing after I paint it.
Amanda
March 14, 2011 at 7:19 pmApparently I'm alone in this, but I really like the second picture. I think it makes the kitchen look bigger by drawing the eye back to the end of the kitchen.
All look great though! I'm excited to hear about how this works out for you!
Abby
March 14, 2011 at 7:23 pmI like the second as well – it does seem to make the kitchen look longer and draws your eye up the wall to your tree! I am sure whatever option you choose will be great!
M4M4
March 14, 2011 at 7:32 pmi feel safe with the first option, adventurous with the third. shouldn't design be adventurous?
Anne
March 14, 2011 at 7:38 pmI like the third. It's has the long lines that draw the eye but mixes it up a little with the rectangle.
Denise
March 14, 2011 at 7:39 pmReally like the 2nd or 3rd! Can't wait to see it!
Anonymous
March 14, 2011 at 7:54 pmNumber two seems to make the space seem longer. It's also a little unexpected, which I always support
How many rugs are out there with stripes like number one? The answer is A LOT.
I can't wait to see what you decide. They'll all look great!
[email protected]
March 14, 2011 at 8:05 pmI vote for number one because a galley kitchen such as you have can always use something to "widen" the space. Number two does just the opposite – makes it seem even narrower.
[email protected]
March 14, 2011 at 8:08 pmJust had to add: Your first and second designs show you really are succeeding in breaking out of the "everything must be symetrical!" box. I love the way you mixed up the colors and stripe widths.
Anonymous
March 14, 2011 at 8:15 pmI like the first one best. Since your kitchen is kind of narrow I think the stripes running the same direction as your ceiling tricks the eye into thinking the room is wider.
LLinKS
Practical Decorating Ideas
March 14, 2011 at 8:16 pmI like the first one – the short stripes add a nice burst of color and make the space appear a bit wider. Love the way you did the pictures!
Josh and Brittany
March 14, 2011 at 9:00 pmI like the first one the most, the second one makes it seem so…long. and the third one hurts my eyes, and makes me think of my grandma.
Cathy Greggs
March 14, 2011 at 10:05 pmMy first choice is the second one, second choice is the third one and third choice is the first one. Wow. That can get a bit confusing!
Laurie
March 14, 2011 at 10:10 pmI like the stripes- I think either way would be nice. I love the idea-
folding chairs for sale
March 14, 2011 at 10:41 pmI'd go with the second one with the horizontal stripes. Why? because it leads the eye to look at the wall peice–which by the way is very nice, i like the frame and how the tree branch design goes right through it.
~*~Felicia~*~
March 14, 2011 at 10:52 pmI like the second picture with the horizontal stripes. It just looks better and makes the space look longer (it's the second picture)!
Kim-A Creative Spirit
March 14, 2011 at 11:06 pmIf you go stripes I think they need to go horizontally instead of lengthwise to give the illusion of more width. I like the stripes but a chevron may be kinda cool.
Anonymous
March 14, 2011 at 11:47 pmI like the first one best because it gives the illusion of making the kitchen look wider. I think the long stripes make the kitchen look more narrow. Love the colors.
NancyU
March 15, 2011 at 12:15 amUse the rectangle one, take some photos of your wall birds and put them on the floorcloth too. I used the method from "Floorquilts!: Fabric Decoupaged Floorcloths–No-Sew Fun" from Amazon. Its a downloadable ebook.
Chicago Web Designer
March 15, 2011 at 12:51 amThe first one, with the horizontal stripes gets my vote. I love how you "photoshop" you ideas on a photograph before committing to them, such a time saver. I took the same approach recently for a wall montage I painted in my basement, I now have a "penthouse" down there.
http://www.indigoimage.com/wpblog/2011/02/a-teenage-chicago-penthouse-in-my-basement
Anne
March 15, 2011 at 2:44 amI like the first one the best. Maybe because each color gets more space that way. I might like the second one better if the stripes were wider!
Love the colors you've chosen!
Bella
March 15, 2011 at 4:12 amOh I like the second, totally makes the kitchen look longer, but you didn't show us the chevron rug,,,, lol. Totally can't wait to see your tutorial on how you did this girl, I really need some fun vinyl rugs in my kitchen too.
Hugs,
Bella 🙂
Kim
March 15, 2011 at 10:10 amI like the stripes running lengthwise… makes the room look longer/bigger, in my opinion. I really like that you've varied the widths of the stripes, too. Great way to tie in all the colors.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I've thought about doing something like that too. I use cotton rugs now, but they have to be washed every other day (I turn them over so get two days out of one rug). So once you've done it, I might be brave enough to tackle it 🙂
Anonymous
March 15, 2011 at 11:46 amI like the first the best.
Marci
March 15, 2011 at 2:12 pmI would go for the 3rd option. I wouldn't worry too much about it showing dirt because it is vinyl, you can wipe it off. Really you are going to be cleaning it no matter what stripes are on it! It also isn't so busy that it competes with the awesome feature wall!
The O's
March 15, 2011 at 3:37 pmhmmm, hard to choose. I think #1 is too plain, I like #2. Probably #3 is my favorite!
Sarah
March 15, 2011 at 5:51 pmI'd vote for #2 – I definitely think it makes the kitchen look longer / bigger.
Lisa Summerhays
March 15, 2011 at 10:20 pmI dig the third one the most. 🙂 Just keepin' it real.
Kim
March 16, 2011 at 12:23 amThe 2nd one. Absolutely the way to go. I like #1 too, but I'm really digging the way it lengthens the room.
Leigh
March 16, 2011 at 1:58 amI love them all, but I think the concentric rectangle makes a bigger statement.
kelsey
March 16, 2011 at 12:15 pmThe first one! I think it makes your kitchen look more open.
Anonymous
March 16, 2011 at 11:02 pm#3 followed closely by #1. LOVE your color combo!
Erin
Sonya
March 20, 2011 at 6:18 amI like the first pic w/ the stripes perpendicular to the cupboards. Regarding toning down the colors – you could use an dark stain to give it a distressed look – you mention a whitewash – I thought of the dark stain because when I scrapbook I use distress ink to tone down color… just a thought.
NumberMonkey
March 20, 2011 at 10:10 pmI'm a fan of number 2 , love the length it gives to the room. I don't think your going to get a unanimous vote on this one! I think whatever you do will look great! Paint isn't forever!
NancyU
April 10, 2011 at 8:57 pmUse the rectangle one, take some photos of your wall birds and put them on the floorcloth too. I used the method from "Floorquilts!: Fabric Decoupaged Floorcloths–No-Sew Fun" from Amazon. Its a downloadable ebook.
Anne
April 10, 2011 at 8:57 pmI like the third. It's has the long lines that draw the eye but mixes it up a little with the rectangle.
Laurie
April 10, 2011 at 8:57 pmI like the stripes- I think either way would be nice. I love the idea-
Michelle
June 10, 2011 at 12:12 pmYou are awesome!!!! Love everything you have done!!!! The first original rug is my favorite, but love all of them. Your wall branch and bird artwork is perfect adds so much! Fun!!!