Carpet Remnants

• Visit a local carpet shop to purchase carpet remnants. If the shop does installations, you may even get a remnant for free. Trim the carpet to a decent size -- 2 feet by 3 feet is typical -- and place it in front of your door. You may need to stitch or heat-seal the edges of the trimmed remnant to prevent fraying. If a carpet shop will not meet your needs, see if you have friends or family who are about to recarpet their home, or who may have remnants left over in an attic or garage.
  
  

Outdoor Carpet

• Outdoor carpets are a quick and easy solution; trim the material to size and place it in front of your door. You may wish to secure the carpet to a thick rubber mat to improve its durability. Small sections of outdoor carpeting can be purchased inexpensively from local hardware stores.
  
  

Wood Mats

• If you have planking available, you can create a wooden mat. 1-by-6 planks are ideal for this task: Simply use two 24-inch planks, with about 18 inches between them, as a base, and overlay 36 inches planks on top of them. Screw the planks into the base with small wood screws. Leave about 1/4 inch between top planks to allow for drainage. Varnish or stain to your preference. For extra emphasis, paint or engrave your family name or a welcoming saying into the wood surface.