New place mats can add a polished look to your dinner table, whether you’re enjoying a simple meal at home or hosting a dinner party for all your friends. This roundup of DIY place mat ideas features creative takes on the basic place mat, ranging from leather and chalkboard paint to bamboo and jute rope place mats.
1. Leather Place Mats
Leather might not be the first material you think of for a place mat craft, but it’s surprisingly easy to work with. Visit Sunset.com for instructions.
2. Wine Cork Place Mats
Do you love wine? If so, put all those extra corks to good use by making a wine cork place mat. Get the instructions on the Creme de la Craft website.
3. Round Jute Place Mats
For a table with rustic country charm, try making place mats from jute rope. Get the instructions for this unique Pottery Barn inspired DIY place mat project on the City Farmhouse blog.
4. Photo Place Mats
These cute photo placements are kid-friendly and a wonderful way to display all of your favorite snapshots. Make a set for everyday use and one featuring seasonal memories from past years to use for your favorite holiday celebrations. Visit Memories on Clover Lane for the details.
5. Sliced Birch Branch Place Mats
Bring a bit of nature into your home with place mats made from birch branch slices. You’ll need 55 to 60 slices per place mat. Visit eHow for the instructions.
6. Pressed Leaf Place Mats
This autumn inspired project is another excellent way to bring the natural world into your home. Pressed leaves are displayed on the medium weight fabric of your choice. Martha Stewart has the details.
7. Stenciled Burlap Place Mats
Burlap place mats are affordable, durable, and easy to make. Use stenciled names or meaningful words and phrases to give them a personal touch. Visit Diary of an Amateur Crafter for the details.
8. Bamboo Place Mats
Join together bamboo canes together to make a DIY place mat that lends exotic simplicity to light lunches and brunches. This project is a bit time consuming, but makes a strong style statement. Style at Home shows you how.
9. Chalkboard Place Mats
Spray plastic place mats from the dollar store or your favorite thrift shop with a few coats of chalkboard spray paint for a fun modern look. Visit Jenny Collier to learn more.
10. Blue Jean Place Mats
Recycle old blue jeans by turning them into adorable place mats with a pocket for storing napkins and utensils. From Our Hearts to Your Home has the complete instructions for this easy sewing project.
11. Dry Erase Place Mat
If you have little ones at home, this dry erase place mat is an excellent way to keep them occupied while they wait for their meal to be served. Head over to Melly Sews for the instructions.
12. Paint Chip Place Mats
These place mats are designed to look like paint chips from your local hardware store, adding a pop of color to an otherwise simple table setting. You’ll find complete instructions at Moda Bake Shop.
