How to Make a Canvas Outdoor Rug
Canvas is an excellent material for outdoor rugs. The surface is naturally resistant to moisture and can be painted to match any decor. A canvas rug provides limitless opportunities for creativity, making this project fun as well as useful. An outdoor canvas rug will require extra coats of varnish to increase the stability, so you should plan several days for this project, as the various coats will need ample time to dry.
Things You'll Need
- Canvas material
- Plywood cut to the size of the desired finished rug
- Staple gun and staples
- Primer
- Liquid acrylic paints in the desired colors for your pattern
- Paintbrush
- Polyacrylic varnish
- Scissors
- Double-sided carpet tape
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of canvas to a width and length that is at least 2 inches larger than the finished rug. Wrap the canvas over the plywood and fasten with staples on the underside.
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2
Using the paint roller, cover the canvas with a coat of primer. Let this dry completely before proceeding.
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3
Using the liquid acrylic paints and a paintbrush, decorate your canvas with any design or pattern you would like. You can also paint the canvas in a solid color if this suits your tastes better. Allow the paint to dry overnight.
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4
Coat the dry paint with at least 3 coats of polyacrylic varnish. Leave ample time for each coat to dry before applying the next, following the product directions.
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5
Let the varnish dry overnight after the last coat is applied.
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6
Remove the staples from the back of the plywood. Fold the corners of the rug in to form a 1-inch hem on each side. Trim any additional fabric as needed.
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7
Hem the edges of the rug using the double-sided carpet tape. Turn the rug over and allow the varnish to set for an additional 36 hours before using.
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Tips & Warnings
Try to find a large workspace for your project where it can dry between coats without any disturbance from pets or children. Always make sure that your workspace is well ventilated when working with paint and varnish.
