10+ Free Patterns for Small and Medium Floor Mats: Your Complete Guide to Crafting Beautiful, Functional Rugs at Home
Whether you’re looking to add a cozy touch to a bare entryway, protect your hardwood floors in the kitchen, or simply bring some handmade charm into your living space, floor mats are one of the most rewarding home crafting projects you can take on. They’re practical, endlessly customizable, and — best of all — you don’t have to spend a fortune on patterns to get started. This guide rounds up more than ten free patterns for small and medium floor mats, covering a range of techniques including crochet, knitting, weaving, and rag rug methods, so no matter your skill level or preferred craft, there’s something here for you.
Let’s dive into the world of handmade floor mats and explore everything from choosing your materials to following step-by-step pattern guides.
Why Make Your Own Floor Mat?
Before we get into the patterns, it’s worth appreciating just how much a handmade floor mat brings to a home. Store-bought mats are functional, sure, but they tend to look the same. When you make your own, you control the color palette, the size, the texture, and the overall design. You can match your mat perfectly to the existing décor in any room, create something truly one-of-a-kind, and enjoy the satisfaction of saying “I made that” every single time someone steps through your front door.
Handmade floor mats also make wonderful gifts. A custom bath mat, kitchen rug, or doorstep mat tailored to someone’s favorite colors shows a level of thought and effort that no store-bought item can replicate.
From an environmental perspective, many floor mat projects make use of fabric scraps, old t-shirts, worn-out jeans, or leftover yarn — materials that might otherwise end up in the trash. Crafting your own mats is a genuinely sustainable practice that puts waste to good use.
Choosing the Right Materials
The materials you choose will significantly affect how your finished mat looks, feels, and holds up over time. Here’s a quick overview of common options:
Yarn is the most popular choice for crochet and knitted mats. Look for bulky or super-bulky weight cotton or acrylic yarns, which are washable and durable. Cotton is especially well-suited for bathroom and kitchen mats because it absorbs moisture and dries relatively quickly.
Fabric strips are the foundation of rag rugs and woven mats. You can cut strips from old bed sheets, t-shirts, denim jeans, or cotton fabric remnants. T-shirt yarn (sometimes called “tarn”) is a stretchy, comfortable option that’s particularly great for bathroom mats.
Jute and sisal rope are natural fiber choices that give mats a more rustic, farmhouse-style appearance. They’re excellent for entryway mats and hold up well under heavy foot traffic.
Nylon or polyester cord offers durability and comes in a wide range of colors if you want something vibrant and long-lasting.
No matter what material you choose, always consider backing. Adding a non-slip backing to your finished mat — either by attaching a piece of shelf liner or using a fabric with grip — will prevent accidents and make your mat much safer, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.
Understanding Mat Sizes: Small vs. Medium
For this guide, we’re focusing on small and medium floor mats because they’re the most versatile and quickest to complete.
A small floor mat typically measures anywhere from 18 x 24 inches to 20 x 30 inches. These are ideal for bathroom sink areas, in front of the stove, beside a dog’s water bowl, or as a decorative accent in a bedroom.
A medium floor mat generally falls between 24 x 36 inches and 30 x 48 inches. These work well as kitchen mats, entryway rugs, or accent rugs in hallways and small living areas.
Most of the patterns below include guidance on how to adjust the size up or down, so you can tailor each one to exactly where you want to use it.
The Free Patterns
1. Classic Granny Square Crochet Mat
The granny square is arguably the most iconic crochet motif, and when you join enough of them together, they create a gorgeous, colorful floor mat. This free pattern involves making individual squares in your chosen color combination, then seaming them together into a rectangular mat. It’s an excellent stash-busting project because each square can be a different color or yarn type.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Suggested Size: Small to Medium (adjust by changing the number of squares)
Materials: Bulky cotton or acrylic yarn, size 6.0mm crochet hook
Where to Find It: Ravelry.com hosts dozens of free granny square mat patterns. Search “granny square mat” and filter by free patterns.
The beauty of this design is its flexibility. A 3×4 grid of squares gives you a small mat; a 4×6 grid creates a medium one. You can keep all squares the same color for a modern look or go full rainbow for a playful, bohemian vibe.
2. Simple Striped Crochet Rug
Stripes never go out of style, and this simple pattern uses single crochet or half-double crochet stitches worked back and forth in rows to create a clean, striped mat. The pattern is perfect for beginners because it uses only one basic stitch and relies entirely on color changes for visual interest.
Skill Level: Beginner
Suggested Size: Small to Medium
Materials: Two or more colors of bulky or super-bulky cotton yarn, size 8.0mm hook
Where to Find It: Yarnspirations.com and AllFreeCrochet.com both offer free striped rug patterns.
For a bathroom or kitchen, consider using a neutral base color (white, cream, gray) paired with a bold accent color. For a child’s room or playful space, primary colors in equal stripes look cheerful and energetic.
3. Oval Braided Rag Rug
The braided rug is a timeless American craft, and the oval shape is the most traditional variation. This no-sew (or minimal-sew) method involves braiding strips of fabric together and coiling them into an oval, then stitching the coils together with a whip stitch or by threading yarn through the braids.
Skill Level: Beginner
Suggested Size: Small to Medium (determined by how long you braid)
Materials: Strips of cotton fabric cut 1.5 to 2 inches wide, large blunt needle, heavy thread or yarn for joining
Where to Find It: Instructables.com and numerous homesteading and crafting blogs offer detailed free tutorials with photos.
This is one of the most beginner-friendly techniques on this list because it requires no special tools. Old t-shirts, flannel shirts, denim scraps, and cotton sheets all work beautifully. Using a consistent color palette — say, various shades of blue and cream — will give the finished mat a polished, intentional look.
4. T-Shirt Yarn Crochet Bath Mat
This pattern takes upcycling to its most satisfying extreme. By cutting old t-shirts into continuous strips, you create a thick, stretchy yarn that works up into a wonderfully soft and absorbent bath mat. The pattern is typically worked in a spiral using basic single crochet stitches.
Skill Level: Beginner
Suggested Size: Small (16 x 24 inches is common)
Materials: Several old cotton t-shirts in coordinating colors, size 10.0mm or larger crochet hook
Where to Find It: Moogly Blog and Repeat Crafter Me both offer free versions of this style of pattern.
The secret to a long-lasting t-shirt mat is using 100% cotton shirts rather than blends — synthetic fibers don’t absorb water as well and may shed. Cutting the strips in a spiral from a single shirt (rather than in rings) gives you one long, continuous piece of yarn, which makes crocheting much easier.
5. Loom-Woven Fabric Strip Mat
If you have a rigid heddle loom or even a simple DIY cardboard loom, you can weave a flat, tightly structured floor mat using fabric strips as your weft. The warp is typically set up using cotton twine or sturdy yarn, and you weave the fabric strips through in alternating rows.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Suggested Size: Small to Medium (determined by loom width)
Materials: Cotton warp thread, fabric strips cut to about 1 inch wide, loom or loom substitute
Where to Find It: LeClerc Looms and Schacht Spindle Company both post free project tutorials on their websites, and YouTube has excellent step-by-step video guides.
Even without a commercial loom, you can create a functional weaving frame using a wooden picture frame and evenly spaced nails or notches. The result is a flat, durable mat with a wonderfully handwoven texture.
6. Bobble Stitch Crochet Mat
For those who want a more textured and tactile floor mat, the bobble stitch pattern delivers beautifully. Bobbles (clusters of partially completed double crochets joined at the top) create raised, three-dimensional bumps across the surface of the mat, giving it a massaging quality underfoot — ideal for bath mats.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Suggested Size: Small to Medium
Materials: Bulky cotton yarn, size 6.5mm crochet hook
Where to Find It: Daisy Farm Crafts offers a beloved free bobble bath mat pattern that has been shared extensively across Pinterest and crafting communities.
This pattern looks impressive but is more straightforward than it appears. Once you get the hang of forming a bobble, it becomes a rhythmic, meditative stitch that works up quickly. Using a solid, clean color like white or sage green emphasizes the texture most effectively.
7. Knitted Seed Stitch Mat
For knitters who prefer to keep things simple, the seed stitch mat is a wonderful project. Seed stitch (alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard arrangement) creates a flat, reversible, non-curling fabric that is perfect for floor mats. Because the stitch pattern itself provides texture, no fancy yarn or technique is needed.
Skill Level: Beginner
Suggested Size: Small to Medium (cast on as many stitches as needed)
Materials: Super-bulky cotton or wool-blend yarn, size 10 or 11 US knitting needles
Where to Find It: Drops Design and LoveCrafts both host free knitted mat and rug patterns that use seed stitch or similar simple stitch combinations.
The key advantage of seed stitch over stockinette is that it lies flat without blocking. Stockinette, the most common knitting stitch, curls at the edges — not ideal for a floor mat. Seed stitch stays flat and looks beautiful from both sides.
8. Jute Rope Coiled Mat
If you love the look of natural fiber mats — think Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware aesthetics — this pattern is for you. Coiled jute rope mats are made by wrapping jute twine or rope around a core (often a clothesline or rope) and stitching or gluing the coils together into a round or oval shape.
Skill Level: Beginner
Suggested Size: Small to Medium (determined by how much rope you use)
Materials: Natural jute rope (3–5mm thickness), hot glue gun or heavy-duty thread and needle
Where to Find It: A Beautiful Mess and many DIY home décor blogs offer free step-by-step tutorials for coiled rope mats.
This style of mat works particularly well as an entryway mat, under a plant stand, or as a focal piece in a rustic or coastal-themed room. The natural tan color of jute coordinates with almost any color scheme and gives a warm, earthy quality to any space.
9. Hexagon Tile Crochet Mat
Inspired by the look of tiled floors, this clever pattern uses crocheted hexagons in two alternating colors to mimic a tile or mosaic effect. Each hexagon is worked individually and then joined using the join-as-you-go method, which minimizes finishing work.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Suggested Size: Small to Medium (adjust by the number of hexagons)
Materials: Medium-weight cotton yarn in two or three colors, size 4.5mm crochet hook
Where to Find It: Ravelry.com and Crochet Pattern Bonanza both host free hexagon motif patterns that adapt well to floor mats.
Black and white is a classic combination for this design, evoking the look of vintage penny tile flooring. You can also use navy and cream, terracotta and ivory, or sage green and white for a more contemporary palette.
10. Simple Locker Hooking Mat
Locker hooking is a technique that’s enjoying a well-deserved revival in the crafting community. It involves pulling fabric strips through a stiff mesh canvas using a specialized hook, then locking them in place with a core yarn threaded through the loops. The result is a remarkably dense, durable, and beautiful mat.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Suggested Size: Small to Medium (determined by canvas size)
Materials: Rug canvas (approximately 3.3 mesh per inch), fabric strips, locker hook tool, core yarn
Where to Find It: Ragged Life (a UK-based rag rug crafting site) offers extensive free tutorials and introductory patterns for locker hooking.
What makes locker hooking so special is the tactile richness of the finished piece. Because you’re packing fabric strips densely through a stiff canvas, the mat holds its shape exceptionally well and can handle heavy foot traffic for years.
11. Tunisian Crochet Entryway Mat
Tunisian crochet is a hybrid technique that uses a long hook and creates a fabric that resembles woven textile rather than traditional crocheted fabric. For floor mats, the Tunisian simple stitch (TSS) creates a flat, stable surface that wears well and looks sophisticated.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Suggested Size: Small to Medium
Materials: Bulky cotton or jute-blend yarn, Tunisian crochet hook (also called an Afghan hook)
Where to Find It: Furls Crochet and Mooglyblog both feature free Tunisian crochet projects, and several mat-specific patterns can be found on Ravelry.
The resulting fabric from Tunisian simple stitch has a slight diagonal lean that many crafters find charming. Working in a neutral like natural, charcoal, or cream creates a mat that feels artisanal and contemporary at the same time.
12. No-Sew Fleece Braided Mat
For those who don’t crochet, knit, or weave, the no-sew fleece mat offers a wonderfully accessible alternative. Wide strips of fleece fabric are knotted or braided together and then coiled or loomed into a mat without any sewing required. Fleece doesn’t fray, which makes it uniquely easy to work with.
Skill Level: Beginner (no tools required)
Suggested Size: Small
Materials: Fleece fabric in two or three colors, scissors
Where to Find It: Craft stores like JOANN and Michaels often post free project tutorials on their websites, and YouTube has many clear video tutorials.
This is a fantastic project to do with kids because it truly requires nothing more than scissors and fabric. It’s also a great way to use up fleece blanket remnants or holiday-themed fabric that you might not otherwise know what to do with.
Tips for Making Your Mat Last
Once you’ve put time and effort into crafting a beautiful floor mat, you want it to hold up as long as possible. Here are some practical care tips that apply across techniques:
Always add a non-slip backing. Even if your mat feels grippy when you first put it down, it can shift over time. Iron-on non-slip fabric backing, shelf liner cut to size, or rubberized rug grippers from any home goods store will keep your mat safely in place.
Wash your mat on a gentle cycle in cold water, and air-dry rather than machine-dry when possible. Heat can distort the shape and weaken fibers over time, especially for mats made with cotton or fabric strips.
Rotate your mat periodically so it wears evenly across the whole surface rather than just in the most frequently trafficked areas.
Shake out your mat regularly — especially entryway mats — to remove grit and debris before it grinds into the fibers and causes premature wear.
Where to Find More Free Patterns
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