How to Paint Your Floors — the Fool-proof, Fail-proof Way

If it’s time for new floors but you don’t want to deal with the time or expense of refinishing them, why not paint them? It’s affordable, adds character to the space, and gives you the freedom to bring in some color. Though for all the reasons to jump in…it’s entirely possible to make a big mess. However, there’s a really simple solution available at your local home improvement store.

That solution is to use the right paint for the job. Paints that aren’t formulated correctly can really ruin your floors, leaving them mottled, peeling or wrinkled. Dutch Boy® Porch & Floor Paint is specially formulated to work on concrete, primed metal, or bare wood. (If your wood floors are coated, you’ll need to rough them up first with a sander before painting.) Dutch Boy® Porch & Floor Paint has a built-in primer, and you can even get it in a skid-resistant finish. Plus, it comes in a twist-and-pour container with a resealable lid and built-in spout that makes it about 100 times more convenient than standard metal cans.

• Dutch Boy® Porch & Floor Paint
• Painter’s Tape
• Paint Tray and Liners
• Paint Roller and Woven Cover
• Angled Paintbrush
• A Clean, Damp Cloth

Move all the furniture out of the room. Vacuum. Then, wipe your floor clean with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt. Clean and dry the baseboards, too, to make sure your painter’s tape adheres well.

Put painters tape along the bottom of your baseboards and any part of the floor that you don’t want to paint. Press down and smooth the tape as you go, so you get a tight seal.

The Dutch Boy® Twist-and-Pour® container is easy to hold, open and pour. No more trying to pry a screwdriver between layers of dried paint…the lid twists off, just like a jar of peanut butter. And its built-in spout helps alleviate messy spells. Why don’t all paint cans work this way?

Use your angled brush to cut along the wall, below the baseboards, and into the corners of your floor. Make sure to tap any excess paint off your brush so you don’t get gloopy globs. Then use the roller to cut into the floor a little more; cut in about 1–2 feet, enough so when you’re rolling the middle you won’t hit the baseboards but so that you can easily reach the baseboards to remove the paint in step 5.

Before the paint dries, while it’s still damp, remove the painter’s tape. Slowly and carefully pull the tape away from the wall, and keep a damp cloth on hand to wipe away any paint that might have seeped through onto the baseboards.

Use your roller to cover the rest of the surface. Apply a thin coat, using a 1/4-inch roller. Make sure to use a woven roller cover — it cuts down on lint and it’s a must for higher sheen coats.

Allow 4 hours for the first coat to dry. Keep kids and pets away during this time, obviously, unless you’re going for a footprint pattern look. Also keep the temperature warm and dry, and keep your home properly ventilated.

Re-tape along the baseboards (per step 2). If the edges and corners need a second coat, cut them in again using your angled brush. Roll the rest of the paint in the opposite direction of your first coat, for a clean, streak-free look.

Make sure you give your floors adequate drying time to fully set. Follow the suggested drying time on the can label.

It’s always amazing how much a can of paint can totally transform a room. If you’re inspired to take your painted floors to the next level, check out this post for colorful, patterned painted floors.

^{This post is sponsored by Dutch Boy® Paints.
Thank you for supporting the brands that make Apartment Therapy possible.}