Most people think that when they want to redo the floors in their home, they have to stick with the traditional materials: hardwood, carpet, laminate and so forth. If you’re a quirky homeowner who wants something a little more special, here are 15 DIY flooring ideas that’ll inspire you to do something great!
So your home needs some more flooring, but you can’t decide what material to go with. Hardwood? Or maybe you’d like tile better.
Since there are so few commonly used materials for home flooring it may be hard to pinpoint what you like the best. Why? Because you may be tired of it!
You don’t have to copy everyone else though! Instead, why not come up with your own, unique floor?
But what can you use for flooring? We think you can use just about anything.
Don’t believe us? Keep reading for 15 DIY flooring ideas that are both interesting and unique.
1. Reuse Leather Belts
Are you a fan of leather? If so, you don’t have to look any farther than your waist to find your next flooring idea. Use leather belts of uniform thickness to make a seriously unique floor.
You’ll have to find a lot of belts though. Try asking friends and family to spread the word, or have a belt drive.
If you’re looking for unconventional flooring ideas, this may be the one for you!
2. Make Your Own Copper Flooring
Have you been saving your change for a new floor? Well, why not use the change you saved?
An all-penny makes for a major conversation point, as well as a beautifully colored floor. Mix in other coins in if you want. But, of course, that will cost you more.
3. Let the Kids Choose
Do you love those little drawings kids make all the time? If you do, use them in your flooring design.
Change up a plan wooden-plank floor by allowing children to draw their own pictures all over the planks. It will make for one playful room. Just make sure to remind the kids to not draw on your other flooring!
4. Build it with Cork
Do you love the look at feel of cork? Did you know you can use it as a flooring? Of course you can!
You’ll just need some ceramic tile adhesive and nails. And, of course, a ton of cork. You may need to hit up a winery to pull this one off.
5. Save Your Lunch Bags
If you love the leather look and don’t want to find a huge number of belts, why not make your own faux leather?
How, you ask? With lunch bags, of course!
Get yourself a whole bunch of brown paper bags and contractor’s paper, squash them down all nice, then soak them in white glue. Then you can press them onto the floor nice and hard and coat multiple times with polyurethane after they dry.
6. Use Carpet Pieces
Do you enjoy the feel and warmth of carpet, but want it without making your living room feel like everyone else’s? Well, nobody said you had to use only one kind of carpet. Try using multiple kinds of carpet, piecing them together however they fit.
You may need to shape some of your carpet pieces. Don’t be afraid to use shapes that don’t involve straight lines!
Ask your local carpet company for scraps, and check with friends and family members. Chances are, some of them have unused or old carpet they’d be willing to donate.
7. Install Cork Panels
If you like the idea of cork but don’t want to wait around for thousands of wine stoppers to show up, consider using manufactured cork panels. These are easy to install, but they still give you that cork you’re looking for.
Cork is a fantastic flooring material if you’re wanting to keep your feet comfy and not too cold. It’s also eco-friendly and extremely versatile!
8. Mix Traditional Looks
If you like hardwood floors but want yours to stand out, try using more than one type of wood in your design. Using light and dark woods in alternating patterns will create an eye-catching design that gives the impression of being tile.
Be prepared to invest some time if you go with this method, though. Laying your wood pieces may take you a while.
9. Paint it Up
If you don’t have a big budget for your new floor, try working with the one you already have. If you’re handy with a paintbrush, you can literally create a one-of-a-kind floor.
While this idea may work on various materials, it would probably work best on hardwood floors.
10. Save Those Bottle Caps
Are you a fan of bottle caps? Well here’s a great way to use your collection.
First, fill your bottle caps so they don’t get squashed by foot traffic. Lay them out in whatever pattern you like, then finish up with some grout and clear coat to create a colorful, mosaic-like floor.
If you’re looking for something a bit more common, check out this useful article.
11. Go with Hardwood
No, we don’t mean hardwood in the traditional sense. Instead, use horizontal cuts of trees to give your floor totally unique look.
This option allows for highly personal flooring, since you could use trees from your own property, or areas that you love. Just make sure you’re getting permission and following laws if you use trees that aren’t your own!
12. Use Pits
If you have fruit trees you can use those for your flooring too, all without killing the tree. Instead, use the pits from the fruit! This is a well-known look in South Africa, but it will be highly interesting to your American family members and friends.
13. Lay Down Some AstroTurf
If you’re a football fan, you’ll love this idea. Why not give your self an astroturf floor?
This type of flooring can be used indoors, or out. Perfect for a game room!
To make things even more fun, paint lines on your turf so it can be used for gameplay.
14. Use Old Album Covers
Music lovers will love this option. Gather up your favorite vinyl records and put those album covers to better use than collecting dust.
This flooring is simple, only requiring some adhesive and oil-based polyurethane, and it lets you honor music’s greatest each and every day.
This makes for a very busy floor, but you’ll always have something to look at!
15. Turn Your Floor into a Chalkboard
If you’d like to interact with your floor in more ways than simply walking on it, consider painting it with chalkboard paint. Don’t forget to have plenty of chalk on hand so friends and family members can join in the fun!
When you’re ready to clean away whatever messages and doodles may have made it onto your floor, all you need is a damp mop.
Endless DIY Flooring Ideas
When it comes to DIY flooring ideas, you’re only as limited as your imagination. Use one of these ideas, or come up with one of your own.
Whether you’re willing to put in a lot of effort, or you’re looking for something simple, there’s a fun flooring option out there for you.
Maybe you’re into shooting and have a bunch of bullet cases hanging around your house. Why not try to use them for a fun metallic floor?
The possibilities really are endless. Find an idea you love, then run with it. Soon you’ll have a brand new floor that’s all your own.
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