Work at Home as a Custom Rug-Maker

As a Custom Rug-Maker, I have operated out of my garage as well as a light industrial workshop (pictured here). Let’s take a closer inside look at working from home.

Ok, first things first: it’s time to clear out that garage and have a garage sale. The hour has come to rid yourself of all those dusty treasures that you’ve been stashing away for years.

Here’s the logic: Why not generate some income with this space?

If you just worked part-time as a custom rug-maker and you really focused your efforts you can easily earn enough income from a 2 car garage space (usually 20×20 in size) to cover your mortgage / rent payments. If Hewlett and Packard could start an empire from their garage, then so can you!

Now that the garage is cleared and neatly organized, it’s time to build a few work tables. If you don’t have the tools, then call up a friend who does and get some help. You can always negotiate a trade, because the rugs you’ll be making will certainly be on everyone’s wish list, you’ll have to trust me on this last statement. Of course, you can buy prefabricated tables too; it’s just going to cost you more money.

I would start with 3 tables that can be linked together. Ideally you’re looking to create size 4’ x 8’ tables. With 3 tables you will be looking at an 8 x 12 working surface. This is a perfect beginners size table. The space underneath the tables is ideal for storage too. Table blueprints are available on my site.

Fortunately the tools for custom rug fabrication are lightweight and easily stored on shelves. No giant looms or complicated equipment to deal with at all. Tooling up your workshop requires a commitment of just under $4,000.00 dollars. Not bad considering that you can produce very high quality custom rugs with these tools right from your own home.

Once you’re exposed to the training systems for custom rug making, then it generally takes a few weeks to fine tune your new skills. I started with a few personal rugs and then branched out to the public. I met with carpet stores, and Interior Designers and they really liked my samples. Eventually I landed a few BIG projects that boosted my confidence and I’ve never looked back. Custom Rug-making has been a full-time endeavor for myself and my partner for over 17 years now (as of 2007).

As the years have passed and as the business has grown, I’ve seen a natural transition into a bigger space. The home based operation was just too small. Working from home can be great experience though, and sometimes I do miss those days.