Is your front door dull? Do you wish it said “welcome” better? I felt that way last year. Then I bought a plain coir mat. I got some outdoor paint. I went wild! My porch felt like me. It was warm and bright. I made it myself. DIY painted mats are a big trend now. Use an old mat. Make it new. Pick colors for the season. Use funny things to say. Or make cool woven shapes. Everyone loves these ideas online. Do you like boho style? Do you like simple modern looks? Do you love farmhouse charm? A painted mat is here for you. Stop buying new mats now. Read on for 20 new projects. They are all easy to do. I share my best tips. I share stencil and paint ideas too!
1. Bold Black & White Geometric “Hello” Doormat
I still love this bold mat. A plain coir mat looks new. It has crisp black paint. The paint makes perfect triangles. A white “hello” flows inside. The black and white looks new. It also looks old school. My best tip is simple. I learned this secret after years. Put down wide FrogTape. Push the tape edges down hard. This stops paint leaks. Then paint two light coats. Use acrylic paint. Mix in fabric medium. End with clear outside sealer. It is safe from rain, snow, and mud. It takes about two hours. It makes your front look great fast.
2. Cheeky “Hey There Pumpkin” Fall Doormat
This mat makes cars stop in October. It has three plump pumpkins. They are a soft clay color. They have black lines drawn around them. A fun note says: “hey there pumpkin.” I cut the stencil on my Cricut. You can use a printed one too. Use burnt orange paint. Use cream outdoor paint. Dab the paint on. Do not brush it. This makes sharp edges. Then seal it twice. It has lasted three fall times. It still looks fresh. It is a fast project. It makes your porch feel warm and kind.
3. Watercolor-Style Floral Welcome Mat
This mat’s flowers look like an artist made them. It uses light pink, peach, and sage. The flower parts blend softly. It looks like real watercolor. The trick is to thin the paint. Use outdoor acrylics. Add a little floating stuff. Use a round brush to mix colors. Do this while the paint is wet. I drew the flowers by hand. I used chalk first. Chalk cleans off fast. Two coats of matte sealer keep the look. It is a nice look with no shine. Neighbors stop me each week. They ask where I got it. I love to say I painted it. It took one calm afternoon.
4. Classic Farmhouse “Home Sweet Home” Layered Mat
The layered mat look is my best fast idea. I use a big black mat on the bottom. It has clear white “Home Sweet Home” words. I put a small striped rug on top. It is black and cream. The bottom mat takes all the dirt. The top mat stays nice all year. I used vinyl stencils on the bottom. I used outside latex paint. I just tied the top rug with string. I never need to paint the bottom mat again. It looks like a photo from a book. My mom copied this last year. She texts me when someone likes her porch.
5. Rainbow Stripe “Welcome” Pride Doormat
This mat gives me joy every day. It has six rainbow stripes. A bright white “welcome” is in the middle. I used tape and measured well. Sharp lines are key here. I used the brightest outdoor paints. I found the best ones. I used two coats for each color. Then I sealed it three times. I used exterior spar urethane. It is 18 months old now. It saw hot sun and storms. It still looks brand new. A delivery guy told me: “Ma’am, your mat just made my day better.”
6. Boho Half-Moon Mandala Dream
This half-moon mandala makes me feel happy. It has white paint. It is on a plain mat. It has many small dots and shapes. This makes a nice pattern. I used a cheap stencil. I used a white Posca pen for small lines. That pen is very good. It took one whole Sunday to finish. I drank coffee and heard a podcast. It was time well spent. Guests take a photo of it. Seal it very well. White paint gets dirty fast. Do not skip this step!
7. Funny “Nice Underwear” Sassy Doormat
This is the mat that gets the most laughs. It has simple black words. It says “Nice underwear.” It is on a plain mat. I used a vinyl stencil. I used black outside paint. It took just 15 minutes. It is great to start a talk. It is also kind of chic. I gave this mat as a gift three times. Everyone says they love it. A tip: center the words right. If not, it will look bad to you later.
8. Buffalo Check Winter Plaid Doormat
Red and black check is best for a cozy winter. I tape the squares first. Squares of 1.5 inches work best. I paint the red squares first. I let them dry. Then I paint the black ones. Use two coats of each color. Then you are done. Add fake green plants. Add string lights. Your door looks like a holiday card. I paint mine again each November. It is how I start the season. Good thing: the pattern hides dirt very well.
9. Lemon Slice Summer Vibes Mat
These bright lemon halves and navy leaves mean summer. I drew the lemons myself. They are easy to fix. I used bright outdoor paint. I mixed in fabric medium. This keeps the yellow from fading. I added white spots. This makes them look wet and juicy. This mat makes my door feel like a beach trip. My neighbor liked it so much. She asked me to paint one for her rental home. It is now booked all summer!
10. Modern Abstract Brushstroke Welcome
Loose lines of clay, yellow, and green paint sweep across the mat. A simple white “welcome” is in one corner. This mat is all about free style. No stencils here. Just use a wide brush. Trust your mind. The small mistakes make it look high-end and like art. It took 30 minutes total. People praise this art mat more than others. It shows you do not need perfect work to make something nice.
11. Wipe Your Paws” Dog Lover Mat
Dog owners must have this mat. Black paw prints move toward big words. The words say “Wipe Your Paws.” I dipped my dog’s clean paw in paint for the prints. It was messy, but funny. I used outdoor paint. I sealed it three times. Because, well, dogs! My friend put it at her dog shop. Clients ask where to buy it often. The best part? Muddy dogs truly wipe their paws. They think it is a rule!
12. Tropical Monstera Leaf Statement
One large monstera leaf fills the whole mat. It is deep green. It brings jungle vibes to your door. I used a light machine to trace the leaf. This is a very helpful trick. Then I filled it in. I used two shades of green for a deep look. I used a paint pen for white lines. It looks very rich. It was easy to make. My plant-loving sister took the idea right away. She has matching leaf pots by her door now.
13. Minimalist “Hey Y’all” Southern Charm
The easiest ideas are often the best. Just a clean black “Hey Y’all” note. It has two small stars. That is all it needs. It takes 20 minutes. It feels warmer than a busy design. I used a vinyl stencil. I used one coat of outside paint. My friend from Texas cried happy tears. I gave her this one. It proves that a few words can make a house feel like home.
14. Bee Kind Honeycomb Design
“Bee Kind” with gold hives and small bees. This is the sweetest note. I mixed gold metal paint into the yellow paint. This makes it shine in the sun. I used a hive stencil. I used a small round brush for the bees. It has lasted for two years. Every time someone reads it, the world feels better.
15. Coastal Wave Hello Mat
Soft blue colors blend. They turn into white foam waves. A simple “hello” rides on a wave crest. I mixed four blue paints while they were wet. This made the ocean look. Then I added white gel pen lines for sparkle. Use three heavy coats of marine sealer. Beach weather is very harsh. My beach friends argue over who gets the next one I make. It makes you want to kick off your shoes.
