Don’t worry, we’re not going to pull the rug out from under your feet with this one. In fact, this hack shows you step by step how to create a large area rug for less.
It’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you’ve been living with a bare, cold floor for so long.
This quick and easy rug DIY from Bonjour Cyrille @bonjourcyrille is a popular design trick for budget-conscious decorators.
I actually did something similar in one of my first apartments, over 20 years ago! But that just goes to show you that a successful hack stands the test of time.
Plus, you don’t need any special tools or advanced skills to pull this one off well. You just need a little bit of time and the ability to line up a few rugs. Really, it’s that simple.
What You’ll Need
- 4 IKEA VÄNDPLATS mats (2’ 0” x 2’11”)
- Gaffer tape
- Strong needle and thread (optional)
How To Turn Mats Into a Large Area Rug
1. Line Up the Rugs
Decide how you want your rugs to go together. In the case of the VÄNDPLATS mats the hacker used, he wanted the lines to match up blue to black.
Once you decide on your pattern, flip the rugs so that they maintain the same pattern. Double-check and make sure they’re all lined up correctly before you move on to the next step.
2. Tape and Flip
Tape the rugs together by placing a few short pieces horizontally across each seam. Make sure the rugs are nice and tight, getting them as close as possible to each other.
Then, go back and run a long continuous vertical piece of tape over the seams. Once the tape is secure, flip the rug.
3. Sew If You Want To
The hacker decided to add some extra security by sewing the seams. I think this is a good idea, especially if you plan to use the rug in a high-traffic area. Use a heavy-duty needle and a strong thread, like upholstery thread, that matches the color of the rug edges.
What Makes This Hack Worth It?
Rugs can get expensive, and typically, the bigger the rug, the higher the price. Therefore, it’s often a good budget stretcher to take a few smaller rugs and craft them into one large area rug.
However, it’s worth keeping a few things in mind before stocking up on a pile of mats. Let’s look more closely at this specific hack.
The VÄNDPLATS mat is $14.99 (at time of writing), so four cost you about $60 (plus tax, of course). You get a rug that’s approximately 4’0” x 5’10”, so about a 4 x 6. That’s pretty good!
Okay, but IKEA sells a 4’4” x 6’5” VÄNDPLATS rug, in a different pattern, for only $69.99. So is it still worth it? Maybe!
What you need to think about is the look you’re going for and if a larger rug is available at a reasonable price. In many cases, it’s likely cheaper to make your own because a larger rug in the pattern and colors you want is $100 or more. Or perhaps you already have a couple of mats and only need to purchase a couple, etc.
Price for this hack: About $60
Time: 15 minutes (45 minutes to an hour if you decide to sew)
The Bigger the Rug You Make, the More You Can Save
I think where this hack has the most potential to stretch your dollar is if you want a larger area rug, like an 8 x 10 or 9 x 12. Of course, you need more mats, but rugs in these larger sizes (and in comparable materials) typically cost $300 or more.
Sure, you’d need about 15 mats, but you’d spend about $194. So, it all depends on what you need and what you can find. Basically, the best course of action is to always run your numbers before you start taping rugs together.
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this question from a curious commenter (Pauline Tardif @pauline.tardif.790). They wanted to know how you’d do something like this to create a round rug. It’s an interesting challenge for sure. Any thoughts?
Watch the hack in action, and follow Bonjour Cyrille @bonjourcyrille for other upcycling projects, DIY transformations, and inspiring home ideas.
Got an IKEA hack of your own? We want to see it! Submit your project here or tag us on Instagram @ikeahackersofficial.