A Canvas floor cloth is a fun way to brighten up a room. You can paint a free hand design or trace shapes or designs onto the canvas. Floor cloths can be cleaned with mild soap and a sponge or mop.

Step 1: Materials

What you need: Heavy canvas from art or fabric store Painter's tape Acrylic paints Paint brushes Gesso from art or craft store Squeegee Foam roller Water based varithane

Step 2: Getting Started

Buy enough canvas to sew or tape a hem all around. I used a regular sewing machine. You could use fabric glue or tape. Next, you will use a squeegee to cover both sides of the canvas with gesso. Gesso stabilizes the canvas and allows for a good base for the art work. Apply at least 2 coats and let dry between coats. A squeegee is a lot easier to use with the Gesso than a paintbrush. Next , if you want a border design , tape off the border section with painter's tape.

Step 3: Painting the Background and Border

I mixed a few colors together to come up with a neutral, warm background. I used a foam roller for the background a watered down the paint a bit. Although the color and coverage was uneven I liked the look and knew that I would be painting over it anyway with the rest of the design. A note about acrylics. They dry fast. If you are mixing colors or covering a large area, mix enough for the entire canvas and keep In a small covered jar or plastic container. You can experiment with adding a few drops of water to the paint which makes using a paint brush much easier. When dry, remove the tape. Paint the border color.

Step 4: Checkerboard Pattern

It's quick and easy to paint the checkerboard design. I did it free hand with an angled paint brush. You can practice on paper first. Or better yet on a small scrap of canvas.

Step 5: Painting the Main Design

My design was done in several layers but you can also paint a more solid colored design or free form or geometric designs with just a few colors. I painted the background leaves and ferns first and then started painting the ferns in solid colors. I let the canvas dry between each color.

Step 6: Finish Coats

Be sure the paint is completely dry. Paint at least 3 coats of water based varithane on both sides letting each coat dry in between. Let the cloth cure a dry a couple of days before using it.