Picnic tables aren’t always the most sanitary surfaces, especially those in public parks. Outdoor tablecloths don’t usually work, especially on windy days. Instead of struggling with tablecloths whipping in the wind, getting into food, causing drinks to spill, and sometimes blowing off the picnic table altogether, consider using heavy outdoor placemats. Outdoor placemats are very easy to make, they’re easy to wipe clean, and they’re a practical alternative to flimsy and highly impractical disposable tablecloths that usually blow away or rip the first time they’re used.
I always use heavy placemats for outdoor picnics instead of tablecloths, and I make them myself. Outdoor placemats provide a sanitary surface that won’t blow away in the wind, and anyone can make them from very simple materials that are inexpensive and readily available.
Heavy Craft Foam
Craft foam is one of the most versatile craft supplies available, and thick sheets of craft foam make fantastic outdoor placemats just as they are from the store. However, you can decorate thick sheets of craft foam with thin craft foam cutouts if desired. You can find thin sheets of craft foam online, in craft stores, and some discount stores that sell craft supplies.
If you want to embellish thick sheets of craft foam for decorative outdoor placemats, use stencils to create desired shapes, or draw them freehand if you’re artistically inclined. Geometric shapes, flowers, butterflies, kites, birds, and rainbows are all great choices for outdoor placemats, and they’re perfect for picnics or any occasion requiring placemats.
Roll-up window blinds are good for more than covering windows. Faux bamboo roll-up window blinds make fantastic placemats, and they can be cut to any size. Choose cheap roll-up window blinds of your choice in the approximate width you require. Remove the hardware, and cut the blinds to the correct length with sharp craft scissors. They can be spray painted any color you desire and protected with spray-on clear coat if desired. Alternately you can create a large runner that will span the entire length of the table. Roll-up blind placemats and runners for outdoor use are easy to wipe clean and even easier to roll up and store.
Indoor/Outdoor Carpet
If you’re looking for outdoor placemats that are unlike any other placemats you’ll ever find, make a set of outdoor placemats with indoor/outdoor carpeting that looks similar to Astroturf. These handcrafted placemats are especially fitting for sporting events, and since they’re heavy and exceptionally sturdy, they’re perfect for outdoor use.
Look for inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpeting at your local home improvement store. Most have several colors to choose from if you don’t like green. Make the indoor/outdoor carpet placemats by first making a template from an 15 x 19 inch sheet of cardboard or a store-bought placemat. Using a sharp pair of utility scissors, carefully cut them out one by one.
The set of placemats you make using indoor/outdoor carpeting can be wiped clean or hosed off and allowed to dry in the sun. They’ll provide many years of use, and you’ll never again have to struggle outside with flimsy and impractical tablecloths that blow away in the wind.
