If you want to transform a space quickly on a budget…paint
is the answer! Experience has taught me
that a good can of paint can solve 90% of your home’s design problems. So when I decided to makeover our bathroom
in just 2 days with a $200 budget, there was no doubt that paint was going to
be an essential part of that process. And
not only did I plan to paint the walls, but the real transformation was going
to come from painting the FLOOR!
If you have a floor that is in decent condition but is simply not your style, then paint is the answer! Our flooring here consists of vinyl planks. Though the floor is in great shape, it clashes with the hardwood that we installed in the hallway and it is incredibly shiny and fake looking. So for those reasons we decided to paint it.
This is actually the second time I’m painting a floor in my home and I’ve got to tell you, it’s a gamechanger. But I speak from experience when I tell you that having the right materials and investing in a little prep work ahead of time will make ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the outcome of a painted floor, so let’s dive into the details of HOW to paint your floors:
Step 1: Sand the Floor
Because my floors are vinyl, I gave them a quick sand with
80 grit sand paper. While this step isn’t
essential for every type of floor, I HIGHLY recommend it especially with vinyl
& linoleum floors to ensure that the paint adheres well. I’ve done this with both floors I’ve painted
and it truly does make a difference. It
literally takes less than 5 minutes but helps the floors to hold up well over
the long haul.
Step 2: Clean the Floor
The next simple step in preparation was to vacuum the floors to make sure all debris was gone before I actually start rolling paint. After vacuuming, I used Rust-Oleum’s Krud Kutter Cleaner/Degreaser to get the floors thoroughly cleaned. This stuff cuts through grease, oil, and all sorts of grime (ahem, toothpaste splatter) to make sure the floors were really cleaned well. And it’s non-toxic which gives me peace of mind since this is the space the kids primarily use. It’s so important to make sure the surface of the floor is really clean so that the paint can truly adhere evenly to the surface without trapping any unwanted stuff underneath. The extra couple minutes this step takes is WELL worth it in the end.
Step 3: The Base Coat
Here comes the fun part! This is where the high-impact transformation begins. I selected Rust-Oleum’s RockSolid HOME Tint Base Coat in the color White. I wanted to lighten and brighten this space, so I knew a white floor would do just that! And since Rust-Oleum’s RockSolid HOME paint line is specifically created for flooring, I knew it would provide good scratch resistance and durability, which is exactly what I want for this bathroom floor that needs to hold up to the abuse that two little kids are going to put it through every day. Also, I’ve got to be honest, the fact that the can of paint says I can walk on the floor just hours after painting it…well that’s a major win for my impatient self, lol.
After taping off around the toilet and trim, I got to work applying
the paint by first using a brush to get in the corners and all the nooks to
ensure that every square inch of this floor would be covered with paint. Then I used a 3/8” nap roller to roll the
paint evenly across the floor. Truthfully
it did not take long at all to do this – I’d say it was less than 15 minutes to
apply the first coat, and I was well on my way to my new light & bright white
floors!
After allowing the paint to dry for 6 hours, I applied a second coat of white paint. Most of the RockSolid HOME paint line only requires one coat, but I found the white color requires two coats to get full coverage. So I applied the second coat.
Step 4: Applying the Top
Coat
After putting up with a super shiny glossy floor for several years, I was ready for something that would be a matte finish. So it was a non-negotiable for me that I was going to use a matte top coat. Thankfully Rust-Oleum did not disappoint with their RockSolid HOME Clear Matte Top Coat option. After waiting several hours for the Base Coat to be completely dry to the touch, I busted out the Top Coat and got to work. I used a ¼” nap roller for this step because it offers a nice smooth finish. And once again, I used a paint brush in the corners and nooks and krannies to ensure that every square inch of the floor was covered with the top coat so that the floor will really hold up well in the long run.
Step 5: Let it Dry!!!
If there’s one thing I learned from my experience painting a floor last year, it’s that you’ve got to let the floor dry thoroughly. The last thing you want is footprints or sock fuzz stuck in your semi-wet paint. This step requires some patience, but I encourage you to shut the door and walk away and let it thoroughly dry. And if you have small kids like I do, use painters tape to make a giant “X” in blue tape across the doorway so that no little feet step into your wet floor paint 😉 Rust-Oleum’s RockSolid HOME paint will dry to the touch in one day (which is way faster than the other kind I used last year) and will be fully cured in one week. For more info about the product line, check out rustoleum.com/rshome
Step 6: Step Back and
Admire the Transformation.
There is something so gratifying about a high impact transformation of a DIY project. Taking an outdated floor and breathing new life into it with a little paint is such a budget-friendly way to make any space in your home look ten times better without breaking the bank! I love how much brighter and more modern this space looks, and I have zero regrets about painting this floor! With plenty of paint left to spare, I’m already scheming what other floors in my home I can paint next…
This post was sponsored by Rust-Oleum, but all opinions and product selections are 100% my own! Thank you for supporting me by taking the time to read my honest thoughts & experiences with the brands that I partner with!
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Would this paint work on tile floor?
Looks amazing! You did a fantastic job! I can’t wait until I can paint a floor😍
Oh man I really want to do this!