Making placemats for your table is both very easy and fun. It’s one way to make sure that your dining tables look unique.
When making your DIY placemats, you can start from scratch by making them from fabric and other materials. Or you can repurpose and update old mats using decoupage.
With decoupage, you can make mats for a special occasion by giving them a theme such as Christmas, Easter, or a birthday celebration.
My mother has some gorgeous vintage Christmas table mats that are only used for about two weeks of the year. However, she has had them for over 30 years, so they are still well-used.
Our everyday placemats were made by adding maps to some old existing mats. I used tourist maps from our favourite vacation to make them. They often spark conversation around the dinner table about special trips. The map DIY placemats also go very well with my personalised map chairs around the table.
Placemats V Tablecloths
Even though placemats and tablecloths provide the same function of protecting the table, I think mats are more modern. Tablecloths may be suitable for grand functions, but they look old-fashioned daily.
Plonking a mat onto a table is much easier than a tablecloth. They are more flexible and can easily be placed on any surface you want to eat from a kitchen island or indoor or outdoor table.
Placemats tend to be thicker than tablecloths, even fabric ones. This means they better protect the table from heat than a tablecloth.
Many placemats can easily be wiped clean at the end of the dinner, while tablecloths must be washed and ironed.
The versatilities of mats aren’t just around dining. They can protect the table from plant pot bottoms and fruit bowls that may grace the table. Personally, I use a placemat under my laptop when working on the dining room table to protect it.
I think placemats work well when used in conjunction with a table runner. The table runner will protect the centre of your table.
If you have a beautiful wooden or marble dining table, hiding the surface with a tablecloth seems a shame. By using placemats, you can still appreciate the beauty of your table.
On the contrary, if your dining table has seen better days, you might want to hide it all with a tablecloth.
Making Placemats – 25+ DIY Tablemat Ideas
Here is a collection of tutorials for making placemats for your home. Some are made from fabric, others from wood and even tiles. I’m sure there is a DIY placemat idea here that will inspire you to create your own.
How To Make Personalized Placemats With City Maps
Not only do these upcycled placemats look fabulous, but they are also great conversation starters. Use maps of past vacations or of your favorite cities to make them extra special.
No-Sew Upcycled Fabric Placemats
These cool fabric placemats are made from upcycled material. Denim seems are combined with sweater felt to make these colorful mats. They are also a no-sew DIY.
DIY Placemat With Free Kitchen Patents
Did you know Google has a patent search? Upcycle some old mats with kitchen-themed patents to create a fun placemat for the table. The post includes the free patent prints there are 12 different designs to choose from.
Patchwork Hexagon Denim Placemats
Did you know you can make a hexagon from six triangles? Denim triangles are used to make these lovely patchwork DIY placemats.
Christmas Tree into Table Mat
I would never think of upcycling my old Christmas tree. These mats are adorable though. Great for a rustic-themed decor or an outdoor picnic table.
How To Make Vintage Image Decoupage Placemats
Use vintage images to create these Anthropologie-style placemats.
DIY Reversible Placemats
A good sewing tutorial on how to make double-sided fabric placemats for your table.
DIY Rope Placemat Decor
A very simple tutorial for round placemats, using an old rope. This would work well with old climbing ropes, which come in lots of funky colors.
Easy DIY Wood Charger Plates
These wooden mats are made from plywood using a jigsaw. I love the detail of the red stripe on the wood.
Newspaper Lead Story Custom Placemats
Michelle always has some of the most unique ideas. These almost free custom placemats are great to make for a special holiday or family occasion.
Kate Spade Inspired Placemats
I would love some of these mats on my table. The bright colors and quotes make me smile.
Woven Magazine Page Placemat
A good way to repurpose old magazines. The magazine pictures also make the placemats fun to look at.
Mad for Plaid Christmas Placemat
I love this idea for a Christmas tablescape. Use plaid ribbon to decorate felt pieces to make unique festive placemats.
DIY Rustic Wood Chargers
These chunky rustic placemats are made from pallet wood. They would make a bold statement on any table and could even double up as a tray.
DIY Leaf Placemats
The leaves make these mats unusual. Great for a spring or summer tablescape and parties.
Jeans Woven Placemats
Weave strips of denim from old jeans to make these lovely indigo placemats. You don't even have to do any sewing. Weaving denim also works well for pillows.
DIY Round Placemats for Spring
A good tutorial on how to make round fabric table mats. With tips on how to get a perfect circle.
Super Simple Quilted Reversible Placemat Pattern
Another tutorial for double-sided stitched placemats, but these ones are quilted. I like the hexagonal shape used for the bee fabric.
DIY Chalkboard Placemat
Add some fun to your table with these chalkboard placemats. You can use them as a name card, draw out different scenes for different seasons or just let guests be kids again!
Table Placemat Set Crochet Pattern
A pattern to make this beautiful round crochet placemat and matching coaster.
Make A Confetti Placemat - A Kailo Chic Life
With the colorful confetti, these placemats have a party feel about them. They would look good at a birthday party or New Years' celebration.
DIY Painted Placemats with a Fork Motif
A fun way to update plain fabric placemats by printing on a design with old forks.
DIY Wood Placemats
There is a video tutorial for making these stylish wood placemats for the Thanksgiving table.
Easy Crochet Placemat Pattern
This would be an easy beginners crochet project.
Easy DIY placemats with burlap and marker
Each placemat will take just a few minutes, and they’ll have your guests thinking you’re a crafty DIY genius.
How to Make No-Sew Denim Coasters from Upcycled Jeans
I know strictly speaking these are coasters and not placemats. But it wouldn't be difficult to scale them up too placemat size.
DIY Tile Placemats: Easy Placemat Ideas
Make gorgeous placemats with cork and sheets of mosaic tiles.
This free mug rug pattern could easily be adapted to making placemats by simply increasing the size of the hexagons. Check out these reverse applique denim pot holders, which could easily be made bigger into placemats.
Rachelle
Thursday 11th of March 2021
Anyone of these place matts would make a lovely gift. You've really got me thinking with all the inspiration provided. Thank you for sharing it at the Friday with Friends link party!
Claire Armstrong
Friday 12th of March 2021
Thank you so much, they are fun ideas.
Cecilia
Sunday 7th of March 2021
What a pretty assortment of placemats, Claire! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Sunday 7th of March 2021
Thank you so much.
Linda Nelson
Wednesday 3rd of March 2021
Great ideas! I really love the scrap fabric example - ideal as trivets.
Claire Armstrong
Wednesday 3rd of March 2021
Thank you, those ones are lovely and colourful.
Michelle Leslie
Saturday 27th of February 2021
What a beautiful collection of placemat ideas, Claire. There are quite a few here that make me long for the days when we could entertain lots of people. But hey, I can always get cracking now and make a few for when things return to normal again ;-)
Claire Armstrong
Saturday 27th of February 2021
Thank you, and thanks for your Newspaper placemats.