DIY Fabric Floor Mat

By Kate Riley February 10, 2016

For the longest time I had a cotton stripe runner from Dash & Albert under my sink, over the years it got soiled so I need to have it cleaned. Meanwhile I was looking for something vibrant and colorful, I thought of just buying another rug but instead opted to sew a fabric floor mat with some outdoor fabric I spied on sale at Joann Fabrics.

I used a yoga mat as an insert to make the floor mat thicker and softer underfoot and I love the fun palm print with a tropical vibe, it’s a much welcome color injection in my kitchen in my favorite shades of blue and green.

 diy floor mat under sink

 diy fabric floor mat

To make a fabric floor mat, all you need is 1 ½ to 2 yards of canvas or outdoor fabric (the length depends on if you want a runner size or something smaller), thread, and an inexpensive thin yoga mat to fit inside.

I found my yoga mat at HomeGoods for $10, you can also find them at sporting goods stores, or sometimes Walmart or Target or online at Amazon. The fabric I chose is a stain and water resistant outdoor fabric in a fun palm print. (It’s a new Richloom Solarium print but I can’t find it on the Solarium website so I don’t know the name.)

 floor mat supplies

The process for making the floor mat is the same as sewing these easy envelope pillow covers – you create it with one long strip of fabric, you’re basically sewing one big envelope to cover the yoga mat. Trim your yoga mat to the size you want your floor mat to be, leave it long for a runner size or trim it shorter like I did to make it smaller.

 trim mat

With a sewing machine, fold over and hem the edges of the long side that will wrap around the mat and form the envelope opening: the A side of the fabric.

 fabric mat

 hem edges

Next, flip the fabric inside out and overlap the A sides to form an inside out envelope.

 flip inside out

Lay the yoga mat insert on top of the inside out envelope to make sure the width and length of the mat will fit inside the floor mat.

 fit mat

Pin the overlapping A sides together (inside out), this is where you will sew the B sides together to create the envelope.

 pin edges

Once you’ve sewn both the B sides together, flip it right side out and insert the yoga mat like you’d fill a duvet cover, tucking the corners of the yoga mat into the fabric envelope.

 fill envelope like duvet

I used a safety pin to keep the flap closed so it doesn’t move out of place on the floor.

 palm print floor mat

To avoid slippage, add a piece of masking tape to each corner underneath to hold it in place in front of the sink.

 masking tape underneath

The yoga mat insert softens the mat for those hours spent standing on it, and the tape helps keep the fabric mat in place.

 fabric floor mat

 

The good news is the mat is completely washable, when soiled after a few weeks simply toss the fabric cover into the washing machine on a gentle cycle then put it back in place!

 

diy fabric floor mat palm print

Choose any fabric you like to make your own floor mat, I recommend washable canvas or outdoor fabrics that are moisture, stain, and fade resistant.

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23 comments

  1. Wow, that fabric looks so beautiful I could make pillow cases from it. That mat is just superb! You have great taste :)

  2. Oh. My. Gosh! I’d just bought a yoga mat with a rug-type project in mind, though I hadn’t had time to flesh out the particulars. This tutorial is timely and perfect! Thanks so much!

  3. I love that fabric and how it brightens up the whole kitchen. The idea of using the yoga mat as a base is simply brilliant!

  4. This is a lovely idea. Think I’ll run out and get the materials so I’ll have a weekend project to work on. Thank you.

  5. Weird. My yoga mat already matches my kitchen accents. Think I have a signature colour? LOL – Steel Magnolias reference. Instead of covering it, I think this girl is going to stencil that baby and then it is a for sure no-skid option :) You’re genius!

  6. Is it just me? I now have to scroll thru blanks where pix should be and click comments to see your posts! Weird!!

  7. Oh you smarty pants! My cheapie Target runner in front of the sink might accurately be described as ‘gross.’ This post is just what I needed.

  8. That’s really cute! I wonder, have you ever tried to use lines of hot glue or caulk on the back for non-skid help? I’ve heard of this idea, but never tried it for fear of harming the flooring. You just put lines across with it and let it dry before using.

  9. Great idea. I was thinking that the yoga mat could also be cut and used as a rug pad to prevent slippage and provide extra padding. A yoga mat isn’t that different from the rug pad that I have underneath my kitchen rug. The only real difference is the thickness and I’m thinking it might actually make a better rug pad because of the extra cushioning it provides.

  10. Floor mats are not only practical, but they can also be a great design element. It’s a good idea to choose floor mats in fun accent colors that also go with your décor. I like to use mats in fun prints, much like the one pictured in this post.

  11. LOVE LOVE LOVE :)
    What a great idea! I can’t wait to make this. Wow, no I am going to take several hours deciding which pattern to choose! :) :)

  12. I love this idea and am going to make one for my RV. However, I noticed one of your pictures has the pocket that comes over the yoga mat. You did not cover that in the sewing description. Could you explain how that is done?

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