DIY Retro Floppy Disk Placemats: Latin American Flag Edition

Do you have a stack of old floppy disks gathering dust, or perhaps you've found a colorful pack at a thrift store? In this project, we’ll transform these icons of 90s technology into vibrant, durable, and culturally rich placemats. By arranging them into the patterns of Latin American flags, you can add a geeky yet sophisticated touch to your dining room table.

This project is perfect for the Decorate It! Contest, as it turns a common tech item into an extraordinary piece of home décor.

Materials

1. 3.5" Floppy Disks: Various colors (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, White, and Light Blue).
2. Instant Glue: (Super Glue/Cyanoacrylate).
3. Black EVA Foam: (Foamy sheets).
4. Craft Glue: (Or contact cement for the foam backing).
5. Scissors: Or a utility knife.

Each placemat follows a 3x4 grid, meaning you will need 12 floppy disks per mat. Before gluing, lay out your disks to visualize the flag pattern. For example, to make the Colombian flag, you will need 4 yellow disks for the top row, 4 blue disks for the middle, and 4 red disks for the bottom.

Apply a small amount of instant glue to the side edges of the disks. Join them one by one, following the flag pattern you defined in the previous step. Work on a flat surface and be very careful with the alignment to ensure the rectangle stays perfectly straight.

Pro Tip: Do not glue them directly on top of a wooden table! Instant glue can easily seep through the cracks and ruin the finish of your furniture. Use a protective sheet or a cutting mat underneath.

Repeat the process for as many placemats as you'd like to create. Here is the specific disk count for the six Latin American flags featured in this project:

Country

Color Distribution

Colombia

4 Yellow, 4 Blue, 4 Red

Argentina

8 Light Blue, 4 White

Peru

6 Red, 6 White

Bolivia

4 Red, 4 Yellow, 4 Green

Paraguay

4 Red, 4 White, 4 Blue

Mexico

3 Green, 6 White, 3 Red

Once the grid is fully dry, cut a rectangle of black EVA foam (foamy) the exact size of the placemat (roughly 10.5 x 14 inches). Using craft glue, adhere the foam to the back of the disks. This step is crucial as it provides structural support, prevents the disks from snapping apart, and protects your table from scratches.

Don't throw away the plastic box the floppy disks came in! These boxes are the perfect size to be used as a matching napkin holder. It’s a great way to minimize waste and complete the "tech-retro" look for your centerpiece.

Your set of six original placemats is ready! You now have a unique conversation starter that combines history, technology, and Latin American pride. Place your favorite bowls and mugs on top and enjoy a meal full of personality.