Calling all DIYers: We've got your next project right here. Tired of your boring wood floors? Or, are you looking for a way to infuse a little fun into your porch or powder room? Then, say hello to painted floors! Check out our quick DIY tips below to get a head-start on the painting process, then scroll through our 21 favorite painted floors for inspiration.
Why We Love Them, Plus Expert Tips
They're Budget Friendly: Refinishing hardwoods can cost thousands, but armed with the right tools — think painters tape and a good foam roller — you can upgrade your floors for less than $200. This project is all about good ol' sweat equity, but if you want to hire a professional to do the job, just search for a "decorative painter" on sites like TaskRabbit or Angi.
They're Incredibly Versatile: "Painted floors are the ultimate, fresh, open the windows, blow away the cobwebs, scrub the floors, Little-House-on-the-Prairie rustic floor covering," says Annie Sloan, paint and color expert and creator of Chalk Paint. They are at home everywhere from quaint cottages to grand estates and are easily executed in every space from porches to powder rooms. Stuck on what pattern you like? We love a classic check, but there are so many places to look for inspiration. "I've used everything from cereal bowls to magazines to create a repeat geometric pattern," says Annie.
Just don't forget to right-size the pattern in smaller rooms. In a 20-square-foot bathroom, for example, you'll need to go small with checks and opt for six-inch-squares over the standard one-foot. In a spacious entry hall, go for two- to three-foot squares. Scaling up will also save you on some painter's tape!
They're a Beginner-Friendly DIY: You've likely tackled a paint project at some point. Whether you've schooled yourself on how to paint a room or tried your hand at painting kitchen cabinets, you probably haven't painted a floor. (Although if you've painted stairs, you're already a step ahead.) Don't worry—painting floors isn't as hard as you might think.
The most important thing to know: Do not paint floors with regular wall paint. Paint manufacturers such as Valspar, Behr, and Benjamin Moore offer super durable porch and floor paint products and sealers that will keep your painted floors, well, painted. Atlanta-based decorative painter Hayden Gregg prefers a floor wax such as Minwax's Paste Finishing Wax to seal everything in. "It dries super hard and allows the floor to patina naturally," he says. The stronger your seal, the longer your paint will last.
SHOP ROLLERS SHOP PAINT SHOP SEALANT
Next, you're going to want to make a painting plan. Smaller projects like a solid coat in a bedroom can be tackled in a weekend. Expect to spend a few more days on larger spaces or more intricate patterns. And if you're planning a floor-to-ceiling paint party, paint your floors after you paint everything else. You don't want drips from the ceiling and walls messing up your masterpiece underfoot.
Feeling inspired? Check out these 21 brilliant ideas for painted floors!
1
Mix it Up with Stain and Paint
Take a cue from Country Living Design Director Maribeth Jones' cheery country kitchen and use a mix of perfectly distressed paint and a natural wood stain to achieve that been-around-forever feel.
2
Black-and-White Checkerboard Floors
Use a classic black-and-white checkerboard pattern in the kitchen for a retro feel.
3
The Instant Timeworn Look
To give her Birmingham mudroom a touch of timeworn charm, Alabama-based designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas worked with a professional decorative painter, but DIYers can re-create her weathered look with a hand sander. Opt for fine-grit sandpaper in spaces that need a more delicate touch. Tip: Wait at least three days for unsealed paint to dry before distressing, then finish with your preferred sealant.
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4
Moody Blue Painted Floors
The deep blue-green painted floors in this modern-style barn space were inspired by the surrounding coastal views. The homeowner chose a similar shade for the cabinets (Blue Toile by Benjamin Moore) to complement the warm wood tones of the rustic room.
5
Nice and Neutral Painted Floors
A pretty soft gray paint on breakfast nook floors grounds white furnishings and walls. The floor is painted Platinum Gray by Benjamin Moore.
6
Blue-and-White Plaid Painted Floors
Embrace a classic country blue-and-white color palette from ceiling to floor—literally. In this breakfast nook, plaid painted floors set the tone for the rest of the freshly decorated room. Tip: Pick a light and dark shade of your "weaving" color to get a similar look!
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7
Simple Painted Stair Runner
To add interest—and to skip the cost of a runner—homeowner Christina Salway painted the steps of her New York farmhouse a crisp white and then added a wide stripe of slate paint bordered by brown stripes on the outer edges.
The wide middle stripe is painted Stonybrook by Benjamin Moore.
Thinner outer stripes are painted French Press by Benjamin Moore.
8
Blue and Green Checkerboard Painted Floors
Turquoise and lime checkerboard floors make for a bold statement in a colorful kids' bedroom.
Pro tip: Typically used for garage floors, Break-Through! Paint (ppgpaints.com for stores) dries in less than an hour, which makes applying two-toned patterns much easier (and faster!). Consider it for high-traffic areas or where durability is a must.
9
DIY Painted Floors
To get the weathered look of painted hardwood floors in the attic, homeowners Natalie and Tim Hamm painted inexpensive subflooring white and scraped “gaps” in with a flathead screwdriver.
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10
Chevron Stained Floors
In this creative entryway, a graphic chevron pattern is achieved by alternating a darker stain with exposed natural colored wood.
11
High-Gloss, High-Contrast Painted Floors
Designer Brian Patrick Flynn chose a high-gloss finish (Stone White by Glidden) on his kitchen floors as a bold contrast to sleek black cabinets.
12
"Bring the Outdoors In" Grass Green Painted Floors
The fresh green hue on this low country kitchen floor is a nice balance with the bright white walls and lower cabinets skirted with cheerful blue-and-white-checked fabric.
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13
"In With the Old" Stained Floors
The avocado green floor pattern is original to this charming Michigan cottage. The homeowner loved it so much she hired a specialty painter to copy the existing design onto newly added floorboards after expanding the space. Instead of paint, the pattern is achieved using different shades of stain.
14
Painted Porch Floors
In this colorful and collected sunroom-turned-nostalgia-rich sleeping porch at Wisconsin's Camp Wandawega, durable painted floors (Light Gray Oil Porch & Floor Paint by Valspar) hold up to the great outdoors.
15
Easy as 1-2-3 Painted Stairs
Try a fun stenciled pattern on stair risers. Here, the family applied bright white numbers in ascending order on matte black painted plywood, which they then nailed to the stair risers. Other ideas for stair risers include painting each a different color (think rainbow, ombre, or alternating hues) or applying a more decorative stencil to mimc the look of tile.
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16
Graphic Painted Tile Floors
Interior designer Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis created a stencil for these kitchen floors and brought the look to life with Annie Sloan paint products. The design is sealed with Chalk Paint® Lacquer by Annie Sloan in Clear Matt.
17
White and Bright Painted Floors
White walls, ceilings, and floors create a clean backdrop for vintage-inspired decor. Pro tip: To keep painted floors looking pristine, consider priming and painting them annually. They'll need a thorough cleaning before doing so. The floor is painted Strong White by Farrow & Ball.
18
Mint Green and White Checkerboard Painted Floors
A fresh minty green-and-white checkerboard floor adds graphic punch to this casual dining space. The color choice and pattern has a '50s diner appeal.
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19
Light and Airy Painted Floors
To minimize scuffs on freshly painted floors, Liz Marie Galvan applies a clear topcoat of Rust-Oleum Parks Pro Finisher to her floor's painted Tapestry Beige by Benjamin Moore.
20
Black-and-White Striped Painted Porch Floor
A black-and-white striped treatment brings a graphic punch to this narrow porch floor. The simple color combo underfoot provides an anything-goes base for the eclectic mix of furniture, plants, and textiles.
Anna Logan
Senior Homes & Style Editor
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isn’t working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!
