Have you always yearned for a large, beautiful area rug on your hard surface floor but found the prices too cost prohibitive for your momentary budget? Create a "Faux" (fake) rug with paint and stencils that you can be proud to display. It's not only easy, but fun!

Your first order of business is to decide the size of the faux rug you want, the designs that will be used and it's placement on the floor.

Next, choose 1 or two stencils that can be combined (say a central large leaf design and a vine perhaps) or if you are a lover of more contemporary designs, you can simply tape off geometric shapes to create your design.

The type of paint used and surface preparation will depend entirely on the type of floor you are working with. It is best to consult your local paint store for the correct paint types and sealers.

Simply start by making sure the floor is squeaky clean, then tape off a square or rectangle on the floor in the size you want your finished rug to be.

Paint the background color of your choice inside the taped lines and allow the paint to dry.

Tape off a smaller square in the center of your rug design and paint that area a different, but coordinating color to the background color you used overall.

Stencil a large motif in the center. In the area outside of this new square, stencil another design going around the inside edges of your rug design. Another idea would be to use a small stenciled design and stencil an all over, random pattern in varying shades.You can get as creative and elaborate as you wish.

Need ideas? Go to the rug store and find tons of lay-out possibilities! Or search "Area Rugs" on line from the comfort of your home for cool lay outs.

Contemporary designs can be done by randomly taping off squares, rectangles, triangles, or circles over the rug area and painting them coordinating decorating colors in your room. A cool design is done simply by hand painting thick swirls of color or squiggled lines then outlining your rug with a coordinating, deeper color.

Your interior floors aren't the only place a faux rug can be done. Try one on your front porch, right in the center of your sidewalk or cement patio, or painted the full length of your stairs.

If you have been fearful of trying a mural on your wall, create a "hanging rug" instead! What fun.

This is a fun and creative projects with no limits! Anything you can stencil on a wall can be stenciled on to your floor within your faux rug, so use it as a canvas for designs you really love.

The proper sealer will depend on the floor surface so call your local hardware or home store for assistance.