Digging the rug life

One of the easiest ways to transform a room is to add an area rug. The problem is, sometimes it is hard to start afresh when your room already has one. I hate to admit that I have a habit of wearing a rug to beyond usable before I decide to replace it.

Luckily, I have learned that there are many uses for rugs other than their intended purpose. If you are dying to makeover a room but feel guilty about tossing the current area rug, consider some of these ways to give it new life.

Reupholster a chair. Remove the cushion from the chair, which may involve unscrewing the screws underneath. Place the cushion on top of the rug’s underside, and trace with a light pencil. Then, cut around the shape, leaving about 2 inches of slack all around. Use a staple gun to affix the rug to the cushion, and pull it taut as you go. Leave the corners for last, and pleat them up at an angle toward the middle before stapling.

Move furniture. Cut four squares from the rug. Place them under the legs of chairs, dressers or other furniture items and then slide them across the room.

Pin it up. Add color to a bulletin board. This works best for thin-pile rugs. Test the rug first to make sure it is thin enough for you to stick a pin in it. Then, pull it taut over the board and staple over the back side.

Pad your knees. Fold the rug to double it up, and use it as a kneeling pad when gardening.

Play with it. Paint a roadway for your kids to roll their toy cars, or cut out puzzle pieces for them to put back together again. You also can create a giant tic-tac-toe board for kids and adults.

Make a new rug. Use painter’s tape and/or stencils to create a welcome mat, a rug for your office, or a new runner.

Give it to the animals. Cut out a mat for under Fido’s doggy dishes, or add it to a pet house. If you don’t have a pet, consider donating your rug to the Hawaiian Humane Society or Oahu SPCA.

Have a question or comment for Joanne? Email her at thefixisinhawaii@gmail.com.