A drum rug is one of the most important add-ons for your drum setup, as you may know if you've ever played without one. Playing without a rug on a hard surface means you'll be reaching farther and farther for those drums after a few songs, as the drum and cymbal stands slide across the floor. While rugs are made specifically for drums, these are often expensive and unnecessary. Make your own drum rug from a remnant or area rug for a fraction of the cost. Generally, a 4-by-5-foot rug suffices for a small stage or setup area, while a 5-by-7-foot rug is suitable for settings with ample space.
Measure the floor area of your drum kit with a tape measure to determine the approximate amount of space it takes up.
Visit a home improvement store or carpet retailer to find an indoor/outdoor remnant or runner slightly larger than the area you'll need, such as an extra foot wide and long. If not available, purchase a carpet runner twice as wide as you'll need, as you'll be cutting it in half and reassembling it.
Cover the work surface with corrugated cardboard to protect it from cuts. Place the carpet on the cardboard.
Mark the carpet at the desired dimensions, such as 4 feet long and 6 feet wide, using pieces of painter's tape. Slice the carpet along these measurements using a utility knife with a straightedge as a guide. If using two smaller pieces, such as from a runner, cut the pieces at 4 feet long, 3 feet wide, for example.
Create a finished edge by applying carpet binding tape to the cut edges. Set the rug on the floor, then unroll the carpet binding tape to the desired length, backing side up. Peel off the removable backing, then slide the sticky part of the binding material under the edge of the rug. Press and smooth the rug down. This step is optional: Some rugs with rubberized backing may not unravel and won't need the binding.
Bind two pieces of cut carpet together by flipping them face down and lining them up next to one another. Tape the two pieces together with carpet seaming tape, duct tape or gaffer's tape.