How to paint a floor

Whether it’s little feet sliding up and down, or kicking off shoes after a long day, your floor takes a battering every day. Revive and refresh with some paint and a little bit of work can bring it back to life.

From wood to concrete, our guide will give you all the help and advice you need to paint your floor yourself. This simple project can make a huge impact on how your space looks.

Preparing your floor for painting

Before you get started, you’ll need to move all of the furniture out of the way. You’ll also need to give the surface a clean to make sure there’s no dirt or debris on it. If you’re going to mop, make sure you leave it to dry completely before you start painting it. Make sure you remove any flaking or loose paint too by sanding it down. If you’re painting floorboards, it’s also a good idea to remove any staples or tacks that might have been holding carpet in place in the past. Make sure you have windows and doors open when you’re painting for proper ventilation.

And don’t forget to protect your skirting boards with masking tape, and any surfaces that you want to shield from the paint should be covered by a dustsheet.

How to paint a wooden floor

You’ll need:

1. Apply primer

If you’re using a paint that needs a primer, you can start by applying a wood primer to the floor. Some paints don’t need this, so have a look at the tin for information.

2. Paint the edges

Paint around the edges of the room using a brush, this is called cutting in.

3. Paint the rest of the floor

Use your large roller and tray now to fill in the main part of the floor. Start at the furthest wall away from the entrance and move backwards towards to door otherwise you’ll paint yourself into a corner!

4. Let the floor dry

Let your floor dry fully before you walk on it. You’ll usually need another coat to get the best coverage, this will depend on how thick the paint you’ve chosen is, but several thinner coats are often better than 1 thick one. Keep in mind that thinner coats will dry harder and therefore be more durable.

How to paint a concrete floor

You’ll need:

1. Clean the floor

Newly laid concrete has to be left for a month in order to set and dry properly. Once you’ve left it a month, use a wire brush to remove any dust. Next, clean the floor with a stabilising solution if it’s bare, or if it’s painted wipe it down with white spirit. Follow the instructions on the tin for mixing and applying. Don’t forget to wear gloves and goggles when using chemicals. Leave it to dry completely before moving to the next step.

2. Apply the first coat

Use a roller or paint brush to apply your paint, depending on how big your floor is you might find a roller is quicker. Start at the furthest wall away from the entrance and move backwards towards to door otherwise you’ll paint yourself into a corner!

3. Apply the second coat

Wait four to six hours for the first coat to dry before adding another. For the best results, apply three coats.

4. Let the floor dry

Let your floor dry fully before you walk on it or move your furniture back.

How to paint a laminate floor

You’ll need:

1. Sand the floor

Gently sand the floor to remove the shiny finish so the paint can bond with the material underneath it. Clean up the dust thoroughly afterward.

2. Apply primer

Apply your primer following the instructions on the tin. Start at the furthest wall away from the entrance and move backwards towards to door otherwise you’ll paint yourself into a corner. Wait for the primer to dry completely.

3. Paint the floor

Paint around the edges of the room using a brush, this is called cutting in. Then, use your large roller and tray now to fill in the main part of the floor.

4. Seal the paint

Seal your paint using a clear interior surface sealer. Let your floor dry fully before you walk on it.

How to paint a tiled floor

You’ll need:

1. Apply primer

Apply your primer following the instructions on the tin. Start at the furthest wall away from the entrance and move backwards towards to door otherwise you’ll paint yourself into a corner. Wait for the primer to dry completely.

2. Paint the floor

Paint around the edges of the room using a brush, this is called cutting in. Use your large roller and tray now to fill in the main part of the floor.