Try Southwestern Style with This Easy DIY Welcome Mat
Southwestern style is a beautiful blend of color and culture. Funky prints, iconic motifs, and daring hues make the decorating trend stand out. Add Southwestern style to your home by DIY-ing an Aztec-pattern rug. This project is super simple—all you need is our free printable template and some basic stencil skills. We used bold colors for our rug, but you can also try a monochromatic scheme, pretty pastels, or an ombre application. Plus, the sizes of the stencils can be customized to fit your door mat and desired look.
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What You Need
2x3-foot jute rug
Printed Aztec template, 4 sizes (free download below)
Painters tape
Ruler or straightedge
Crafts knife
Stencil film
Cutting mat
Stencil adhesive
Stencil brush
Paper plate
Paper towels
Pencil
Paint colors of choice (we like PPG)
Step 1: Prep and Print
Remove any packaging from the rug. Download our Southwestern stencil template. Use a copier to make size adjustments to template. Reduce to 50% and make one copy; reduce to 65% and make a copy; reduce to 75% and make a copy. You should have four different sizes of the same pattern.
Editor’s Tip: If you are unsure of what type of paint to purchase for this project, a trip to The Home Depot to chat with a paint associate can help you make the right decision.
Step 2: Trace Stencils
With your pencil and ruler, trace each geometric shape onto stencil film. Cut out. Spray adhesive onto the back of the stencil and secure to the rug.
Step 3: Paint the Rug
Dip stencil brush into first paint color, then with a light dabbing motion, apply paint to stencil area. Repeat with all stencils until you've achieved the desired design, being sure to work slowly and let paint dry between each stencil. Let dry fully before using.
