Spruce Up a Deck With a Painted "Rug"

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions and see how exterior paint and painter's tape can breathe new life into an old deck.
White and Orange Dining Area

White and Orange Dining Area With Painted Rug

No need to use a fabric rug in this outdoor space, given the orange and white-bordered rug painted on the wood deck. The cheery bright color scheme continues with the outdoor dining table and orange and white stools.

Materials Needed:

  • exterior paint
  • painter's tape
  • tape measure
  • pencil
  • notepad
  • 2-inch paintbrush
  • roller handle
  • roller cover
  • paint pan
  • pan liner
  • straightedge

Paint Background Deck

Pour exterior paint into pan liner placed in paint pan. Add roller cover to paint roller, then add two thorough coats of base color to deck.

Measure and Tape

Once base color is dry to the touch, use tape measure to determine dimensions of painted area rug. Jot dimensions down on the notepad. Referring to notepad, mark rug dimensions directly onto deck with pencil and straightedge. Using pencil marks as a guide, press painter's tape directly along outside edge of mark.

Paint Rug

Pour exterior paint into pan liner placed in paint pan. Add roller cover to paint roller, then add two thorough coats of area rug color directly to deck.

Reposition Tape

Once the painted "rug" is dry to the touch, slowly peel back painter's tape. Touch up any bleed marks using 2-inch paintbrush. Reposition tape along inside edge of area rug.

Painter's Tape Around Orange Painted Rug Border

Reposition Tape Around Edge of Painted Deck Rug

Once the painted "rug" is dry to the touch, slowly peel back painter's tape. Touch up any bleed marks using 2-inch paintbrush. Reposition tape along inside edge of area rug.

Tape Border

Use tape measure to determine dimensions of border. Jot dimensions down on notepad. Referring to notes, mark the border dimensions directly onto deck with pencil and straightedge. Using pencil marks as guide, press painter's tape directly along outside edge of mark.

Painter's Tape for Painted Rug

Section Off Deck Rug with Tape

Use tape measure to determine dimensions of border. Jot dimensions down on notepad. Referring to notes, mark the border dimensions directly onto deck with pencil and straightedge. Using pencil marks as guide, press painter's tape directly along outside edge of mark.

Paint Border

Pour exterior paint into pan liner placed in paint pan. Add roller cover to paint roller, then add two thorough coats of area rug color directly to deck.

Painting Border for Deck Using a Roller Brush

Paint Border on Deck Rug

Pour exterior paint into pan liner placed in paint pan. Add roller cover to paint roller, then add two thorough coats of area rug color directly to deck.

Remove Area Rug Border Tape

Once paint is dry to the touch, slowly peel back painter's tape. Touch up any bleed marks using 2-inch paintbrush. Give deck at least 24 hours to cure before walking on it.

Removing Border Tape From Deck Rug

Peel Painter's Tape From Deck

Once paint is dry to the touch, slowly peel back painter's tape. Touch up any bleed marks using 2-inch paintbrush. Give deck at least 24 hours to cure before walking on it.

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