Needing a frugal decorating idea...

[cmdarlin]

for what to do with a floor like this. I was hoping to find a cheap (ha ha) rug to go hide it but not having any luck. DH doesn't want to sand it since its just a rental so I need some ideas.

Thank you!
Debbie

[khjmom]

Is the middle stained darker...or what?

[thesightofoneself]

furniture lots and lots of it. after a while you'll forget about it, most likely

[nuisance26]

~I think I would ask on Freecycle for carpet remnants. Here's a tutorial about finishing a remnant for aesthetics and durability. http://howtome.com/?p=280 ~

[MyMelody]

I would make the floor look as though it's supposed to be that way. Take a straight edge and a furniture marker to clearly define the inner rectangle, and then stencil a border around the edges to simulate a hardwood floor inlay, if your landlord permits. Most sites recommend sanding down the entire floor, but since you're just renting, I'd try very lightly scuffing only your chosen area to paint with fine sandpaper and then using craft paints/stains (like the inexpensive bottles of Plaid's Folk Art or Apple Barrel paint) for the design, with a clear sealer over the top.

Here's a site with inlay examples:

http://www.askthebuilder.com/B247_Ha...r_Inlays.shtml

Two sites with how-tos for stenciling over hardwood floors:

http://www.hardwoodinfo.com/display_article.asp?ID=215

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/woodfloorstenciling

This floor is actually concrete, but I love how they used gold metallic paint in their stencilled border:



HTH!

[Kaos Kitty]

You can always buy an inexpensive piece of canvass (painters drop cloth), about the same size as the dark wood in the picture. Use masking tape to mark off a pattern and paint in colors that match your decor. Let it dry, seal, let dry and use! Many, many home decorating shows have a step by step for this. I've posted a few below. A 4x20 foot painters drop cloth here in Canada is about $20 at a hardware store.

How to Make a Canvass Rug: (some sewing)
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_wal...052569,00.html

Steven/Chris make a Drop cloth rug: (carpet tape and glue gun)
http://www.cbc.ca/stevenandchris/200...layroom_1.html

How to Make a Rug from an old quilt:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...own_cheap.html

[Laurie in Bradenton]

I'm with MyMelody I'd pull a Martha Stewart and Stencil a border around the edges to make the center look like its suppose to be that way.
If your not up to that I'd hit freecycle for a rug.

Laurie in Bradenton

[mombottoo]

How big is the spot in the middle of the floor? and how much money do you have to work with?

[Thevail]

I'd go large carpet remnant if the landlord won't let you alter it. And those "sailcloth" canvas floor cloths do work and they're quite sturdy. Just be sure to anchor it down. They can be a little slippy on hardwood.

[mombottoo]

I had another thought...if you would really like a rug for that area you could consider trying freecycle...maybe you would come across a regular rug or a remnant for free that would work.

[bonnotsm9]

Since you are in Missouri, you might check if you have a Hoods nearby. The floor in dd's room is the same way. We found a very affordable large rug at the Hoods near us. I think we paid $14.95 for a 4X6 rug.

They are a discount home center with a little bit of everything. If they have it, the prices are great. It's our first stop for home improvement projects.

[Judi Dial]

I think I'd probably make a cheap rug, like the one I read about on curbly.com here:

http://www.curbly.com/ModHomeEcTeach...odern-area-rug

or the bordered rug there, you can find that here:
http://www.curbly.com/DIY-Maven/post...or-outdoor-rug

Judi

[Debbie-cat]

Thanks for the links Judi! They look like great ideas!

[heartofmine]

If you find a piece of linoleum big enough on Free Cycle or somewhere but don't like the color just turn it over and paint the backside of it to look like a rug, tiles or whatever. Just make sure you seal it. Its sturdier than a floor cloth and will lay better on the floor. Just put some double sided tape underneath along the sides to hold it steady.

ORRR Find an old piece of linoleum that fits the space and if again its not the right color or not in good shape cut it to size of the middle and then attach those self stick floor tiles to it. The floor tiles are inexpensive. That way it can be removed and won't do damage to the hardwood floors to where they can't be repaired later on.

[Wendy99]

I agree freecycle for a rug or watch the thrift stores .. if u have access to a steam cleaner (borrow or have one) .. they can come up pretty nice sometimes