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DIY: Paint Your Floor for a Fresh Update
Sleek white paint, black gloss or rustic checks can be welcome alternatives to that old, worn-out carpet
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern clean spaces and timeless vintage decor which makes for a unique eye. I work in Los Angeles but offer e-design services nationally. Visit my website and my blog at http://www.veneerdesigns.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern... More »
You remove dirty old carpet hoping to reveal stunning hardwood floors below, but instead are disappointed by worn out and sad looking planks. Don't fret. A fabulous and inexpensive (yet labor intensive) way to refresh worn wood floors is to paint them. There are many creative ways to add your own personal pizzazz with color and pattern. You will be awed by the results — as long as you follow the right steps and are patient in between each step.
More: Are You Gutsy Enough to Paint Your Floor White?
More: Are You Gutsy Enough to Paint Your Floor White?
by Jeanette Lunde
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The first step is to sand your floor lightly and then clean it well. Once you do so, use primer to lay a base and wait 24 hours for it dry completely. Then, for maximum durability, paint your primed floor with oil-based exterior-grade paint. Work from the back of the room and paint your way out to the door. Simple white floors are becoming very popular; you can stop with just that one color if you like.
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| Even if you are doing only one color — either a light coat to let the wood grain show through or a heavy, glossy coating for maximum sleekness — you will have to add another coat or two 24 hours after your first coat dries. Sand, clean and thoroughly dry between each coat. |
by Holly Marder
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White, black, gray are all safe floor color options. But what about red? It's an electrifying jolt of color paired with white walls and offers the opportunity to create a consistent color story, complemented by red accessories in each room.
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See the rest of this house
| A charming toffee yellow and sky blue diamond pattern on an old wood floor creates an inviting cottage feel in this sitting room. A pattern such as this requires you use the lighter color as the base. Once it is dry, you can lay out your pattern with careful measuring and blue painter's tape. |
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This gingham plaid pattern is so inventive for a painted floor. As long as the the paint coats are kept thin, this pattern seems relatively easy to achieve.
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Another plaid pattern in shades of gray is perfectly coordinated to the painted millwork cabinetery on the far wall.
by Chris Kauffman
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A cute idea is to paint alternating stripes using the wood planks as your guide. No measuring, no painters tape. So easy.
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In my opinion, painted wood floors start to look their best after some wear. When the paint has chipped and grown thin in spots, it seems to have been part of the house for a very long time.
by Imagine Living
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Personally, I am drawn to the look of the same paint color extending from the floor to the wall. The wall paneling and chevron pattern floor adds enough visual interest and texture to the room so that it doesn't feel flat and boring. Having some striking furniture and colorful fabric pop in the room's center would create a memorable effect in such a room.
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If you are painting a bathroom floor, consider using marine paint (the same as used on boats) to handle the moisture that is especially rough on wood.
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If you have a steady hand and loads of time, consider a custom- painted checkerboard floor. Let your artistic flair shine.
by Sue De Chiara
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Continuing the paint up the stairs offers more real estate on which to flex your creative muscle.
More: How to Get Rid of Your Old Carpet
13 Choices for Checkered Floors
Are You Gutsy Enough to Paint Your Floor White?
More: How to Get Rid of Your Old Carpet
13 Choices for Checkered Floors
Are You Gutsy Enough to Paint Your Floor White?
Comments
bubbletoes Love love love the gingham yellow floor! Love them all actually!
19 months ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Beautiful and inspiring collection. Thanks. I will say that painting floors, in terms of body torture, is second only to painting ceilings.
19 months ago · Like
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nancypeterson10 Have always loved a painted floor! thanks for all of these variations; from cottage to historical to modern. glad to see they're in favor once again!
19 months ago · Like
jlwms123 My husband and I laid this floor in our sun room. I stained the entire floor with a blue/gray stain and then taped it off. After I looked at my lines over and over and over, I stained the diamonds with dark walnut and covered it all with two coats of poly. I love the results but it was a little like childbirth. The recent memory is painful enough that I won't do it again for awhile :) 
19 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on Nov. 7, 2011.
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