Happy Monday, Friends! After hunting for some time, I was thrilled when I recently scored a cotton rug for $1! I had just the place for it near my backdoor and I really liked the design--it just needed a little tweaking...
![How to upcycle a thrift store rug with a permanent marker and craft paint! thrift store rug upcycle](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-puc_VKMyPvs/Wxl2w7B0RlI/AAAAAAAB47I/E4O9CCmXBwI0EcQryI-dhWQC37-Oen4TACLcBGAs/s640/After-bike-rug.png)
When I came across this cute rug at one of my favorite thrift stores, it was in excellent condition--even the white backing was spotless. In this photo, the letters appear more yellow, but in person they were a chartreuse shade that didn't pop against the gray as much as you might think. Also, see how the outline of the wheels, seat and bird seem to blend in to the background?
![Transform a faded thrift store rug-all you need is a Sharpie and a little craft paint! Thrift store rug upcycle](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uYb98yicr2c/Wt9_SXxVaXI/AAAAAAAB1D8/9HaJ9AVdVE8ZullaXRKR6Ya7RWjIIolYQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Bike-rug.jpg)
I decided since I'd only invested a $1, I'd try to add a little more definition with a Sharpie. I started with the tires by first outlining them...
![How to upcycle a thrift store rug with a permanent marker and craft paint! Thrift store rug upcycle](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYqxqRrXxM4/Wxl7KX0OgDI/AAAAAAAB47c/VkzeJsNcOCIuKB-fZnM4MImvXXbxLqN2ACLcBGAs/s640/Sharpie-outline-rug.jpg)
...and then filling them in. It looked better already!
![Transform a faded thrift store rug-all you need is a Sharpie and a little craft paint! Thrift store rug upcycle](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pph5mci76Zk/Wxl8d5e4l9I/AAAAAAAB47o/HzP01vYRsDY6pU8cVJPiKZLIljpU3ftAACLcBGAs/s640/Bike-rug-wheel.jpg)
I really liked the contrast of the black and white against the gray and wanted the lettering to be easier to read, so I continued with the Sharpie on the words.
![How to upcycle a thrift store rug with a permanent marker and craft paint! Thrift store rug upcycle](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMvAVwO3eUU/Wxl-s3zxKiI/AAAAAAAB470/FhS518y25n8Tn7lefxv2v0sBLBaQ7RRPQCLcBGAs/s640/Bike-rug-letters%2B.jpg)
I did the same for the the bike seat and then I used a small paint brush and yellow craft paint to brighten the bird.
![Transform a faded thrift store rug-all you need is a Sharpie and a little craft paint! Thrift store rug upcycle](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hOnaOAx2Us0/WxrCItBKxCI/AAAAAAAB484/vqzbbgLkScQCcalW6K04Dz5qk5X-uOH8ACLcBGAs/s640/Rug-bike-seat-bird.jpg)
Last, I used the same craft paint to stencil sunflower petals and finished the flower's center with the black Sharpie.
![How to upcycle a thrift store rug with a permanent marker and craft paint! Thrift store rug upcycle](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6mxUk4egCvY/WxrEJUpIaHI/AAAAAAAB49I/J_Z2sZ0txtYoeQEJxP07NUPQOH_Kc1O2QCLcBGAs/s640/Rug-sunflower%2B.png)
That's it--for $1 I have a new-to-me backdoor rug! I considered adding more flowers, but decided I prefer just the touch of color from the bird and single flower.
![Transform a faded thrift store rug-all you need is a Sharpie and a little craft paint! thrift store rug upcycle](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puc_VKMyPvs/Wxl2w7B0RlI/AAAAAAAB47M/1crbk7HElH8UGb6KIBkfoN5_2l1FHjx4ACPcBGAYYCw/s640/After-bike-rug.png)
![Thank you for pinning! My Thrift Store Addiction](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jysm-sUUQx0/WjgGTVz3g_I/AAAAAAABpS4/cuPofCSxxFQi2NelIZCE5Ub5UoU8iq3ugCLcBGAs/s640/pin%2Bit.png)
![How to upcycle a thrift store rug with a permanent marker and craft paint! Thrift store rug upcycle](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yqlQSyZUDsU/WxrJtFCNe_I/AAAAAAAB49U/TXAf1IASwHIYZHc_K9sB5_2Rf8OfBDstwCLcBGAs/s1600/Pin-rug-upcycle.jpg)
![Peace be with you! My Thrift Store Addiction signature](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YzI3E5ZMP7k/U8gMS6WzjcI/AAAAAAAAUMQ/UwrDLfBDJfg/s1600/Signature.png)
How clever! I like your creativity.
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteGood call. It looks better as there’s more contrast! Cute design. I’d have snapped it up too!
ReplyDeleteLove your rug and that you added the color. So much better.
ReplyDeletePerfect!! I love the contrast!
ReplyDeleteNaever would have thought to do that; it surely livened it up perfectly!
ReplyDeleteReally cute! With just a sharpie!
ReplyDelete