Do you need new hardwood floors but don't have the money? Have you just added on to your home or built a new one and its time to buy flooring and you are over budget? I have a cheap solution for you that will still look fabulous!
A few years ago my husband built an extension onto our home and did a marvelous job of it considering he had never built so much as a dog house in his life! When we began the interior decorating we realized we did not have any funds left in our budget for new flooring. After thinking it over for awhile I suggested we paint the plywood sub-floor. Well my husband was very skeptical, but agreed, and we worked out a plan to get it done. Here's what you will need if you are planning to paint a plywood sub-floor:
- wood filler
- large electric sander
- vacuum cleaner
- damp mop
- measuring tape
- painter's tape
- smooth paint roller
- porch paint in your chosen colors
- polyurethane
- several days (to allow drying between coats)
- lots of patience
If you are painting wood floors you probably won't need wood filler (unless they are in really bad shape) or the sander. You could also do this to concrete floors using concrete paint.
Here are the steps for painting the wood sub-floor
- First we filled in all holes and rough spots with wood filler.
- Next we sanded and sanded and sanded :-)
- Then we thoroughly cleaned the floor
oldhouseweb.com
- You will not be able to enter the room for several hours so plan ahead. We painted right before bedtime.
- Follow porch paint instructions and paint the entire floor the lighter color starting opposite of your exit point and finishing at exit
- Allow to dry overnight
- If necessary apply second coat
- Dry overnight
- Next using painter's tape measure & tape out your design
- Paint in darker squares (we chose 4" x 4" squares)
- Allow to dry overnight (I told you it would take patience!)
- If necessary apply second coat
- Dry overnight
- Porch paint is very durable but we decided to add a coat of polyurethane for extra protection
- Allow to dry for at least 24 hours or according to polyurethane instructions
That's it! your finished! And most people won't be able to tell that you don't have linoleum! Guest would always compliment us on our floors and were surprised that they were painted. I really wish I had some pictures to share with you but we covered our floors with laminate a couple of years ago and did not take pictures so here is a floor very similar to ours but we painted ours a deep blue and cream with a gold border, it was not distressed, and ours was the sub-floor not wood slats.
houzz.com
A word of warning: A freshly painted floor is very slippery! Be careful! They are also very durable and can last for years. Clean them according to paint directions.
Here are a few more pictures of some beautiful painted floors.
houzz.com
marieburgosdesign.com
As you can see by the pictures above, (I love, love, love the last one don't you?) you may also stencil your floors with a lovely design. Paint your floors the base color and dry overnight. The next day measure and apply your stencil. Dry overnight. Your finished. Gorgeous.
I hope I have inspired and encouraged you to give this project a try.
Hugs,
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15 comments:
I LOOOVE THESE FLOORS!!!! Thanks so much for following, I checked out your blog and I am flattered you are following me... you have some great stuff and great ideas. Thanks for sweet comments and the support!!!
I love painted floors!! I have painted our stairs and I love it so much!!
Beautiful! I love the simplicity of your harlequin floor! :)
Very nice floors!
Oh, that is just fantastic! Beautifully done. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from My Uncommon Slice. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-6.html Wishing you a grand week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
I love these floors, I am working on our bedroom right now and want to paint them to give them more of a cottage look. So thanks so much for the great outlined steps. I'll be referring to these when we start! Congrats on your 1 year anniversary, wishing you many years of successful blogging. I wonder if you would share your painted floor tips over at Sunday's Best going on now. (http://my1929charmer.com/sundays-best-39-par-tay/). Sure hope so!
I'm a big fan of painting floors! I've done it twice, interior and exterior. We have stained concrete throughout our house so the possibilities are endless. Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing :)
This looks amazing! Saw your floor over at Hometalk and had to stop over to see more! I think I am going to paint the upstairs floor. You have the best paint ideas!
blessings,
karianne
You floor still looks amazing. Tickled pink you share with us, and so glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best! Congrats on your first party!
Awesome! Following you! Happy blogiversary :)
Thank you so much for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see you prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Great post, Peggy. Love what you did with your floor.
I've been eyeing the carpeting (yeah....carpeting...ugh!) in my bathroom for 6 years now ~ threatening my husband that I was going to rip it up someday because "who puts carpeting in bathrooms, anyway??!!!" I know that there's old hardwood beneath it! But those last two photos of yours really grabbed my attention. They're so boho! ♥
xoxo laurie
Those came out beautifully. I love them!
Saw your photos on home talk and needed a closer look! Love the last one, gray and cream! Needed an idea for my floors upstairs and this idea is perfect! Now to find the perfect stencil idea!
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