Lighting by Kes Lighting
Painted floorboards always look so alluring in photos. They offer an opportunity not only to refresh a room but to add personality underfoot, transforming a practical surface into a design feature in its own right. If you are lucky enough to have floorboards in your home, deciding what to do with them may leave you feeling confused and conflicted. There’s definitely something charming about exposed floorboards. They bring warmth, character, and a sense of history to your home. And for those of us drawn to a more natural, lived-in aesthetic, they can be an affordable alternative to new flooring. But before you start ripping up carpets with visions of rustic perfection, it’s worth knowing that beautiful floorboards rarely come easy.
Prepping For Painted Floorboards
Photo c/o Deposit Photos
Restoring floorboards takes time and patience. Before you even start to think about what colour you might choose for your painted floorboards, there is a lot of prep work that needs doing. And this shouldn’t be underestimated or rushed. This isn’t the most glamorous stage, but it lays the foundation for a finish that lasts and looks its best.
The first thing to do is pull up any old carpet and underlay and remove any staples or nails. Next, check for loose or damaged floorboards and secure or replace them as needed. You may also need to fill any gaps with a flexible wood filler, especially in older homes where draughts can sneak through.
Next comes sanding. This step is non-negotiable if you want the paint to adhere well. You’ll probably want to speed the process up by hiring a floor sander for larger spaces, but be prepared: it’s dusty, noisy, and physical work. For corners and edges, make sure you use a small handheld detail sander so you can get in close. Once sanded, you’ll need to vacuum the floorboards thoroughly and wipe the surface down fully with a damp cloth to remove all the dust that was created during sanding.
If your floor is particularly knotty or resinous, consider using a primer designed for wood. This helps prevent tannin stains from bleeding through and improves adhesion. Once everything is prepped, clean, and dry, you’re almost ready to reach for the paintbrush.
But first, you need to choose a colour for your painted floorboards. Below you will find some tried-and-true colour choices that can set the tone for your entire space.
Pale and Interesting: Whites and Greys
Photography c/o Annie Sloan
White or light grey floorboards are a classic choice for good reason. They help bounce light around the room, making small spaces feel bigger and brighter, and they offer a beautiful canvas for more colourful décor such as bold rugs, statement furniture, or leafy green plants. White-painted floorboards bring a breezy, Scandinavian feel, while grey can ground a room with a cooler, more contemporary edge.
But for the love of God, please consider your lifestyle before opting for white floorboards. Pale shades like white tend to show wear more easily in high-traffic areas. I made this mistake in my small bathroom makeover. Whilst I chose white tiles and not painted floorboards, I definitely regret choosing white now. In fact, I have no idea what insanity came over me. My thinking was that white would be bright and help the room feel more open and larger. And this is probably true, but was it worth it? NO!!!!
White floors show up EVERYTHING! And I mean everything! So they always look dirty, even minutes after you have cleaned them. Let’s not forget that humans shed roughly 50-100 hairs from their head every day!!! Times that by the number of people who live in your home and then make a considered decision. And if you have pets, think doubly hard unless you are super fond of mopping and vacuuming. Especially if you are pondering white-painted floorboards throughout. Perhaps stick to rooms like bedrooms, studies, or guest rooms that are used less often, and therefore require less cleaning and maintenance.
Playful Pastel Painted Floorboard
Photography c/o Annie Sloan
I love the idea of pastel-painted floorboards. Soft pastel-painted floorboards are a brilliant way to inject joy and playfulness into your space. Think powder blue, mint green, blush pink or lavender or any other colours that feel whimsical and modern all at once. Pastels work especially well in bright, airy rooms and can offer a striking contrast against more neutral or minimalist interiors.
If you’re worried about committing, try introducing pastels in smaller doses, perhaps in a child’s room first, or even try it out as a painted rug effect. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, maybe you could consider painted floorboards in a mix of shades across different rooms to keep things interesting.
Dramatic Dark Painted Floorboards
Photography c/o Annie Sloan
On the other end of the spectrum, dark painted floorboards bring dram aand depth to the room. In fact, additions like black wood flooring are becoming synonymous with luxury living, but charcoal, deep navy or even forest green can make a bold statement and work particularly well in larger spaces with plenty of natural light. These shades are perfect for creating moody, cocooning interiors, especially when paired with pale walls, warm lighting, and tactile textiles.
It’s worth bearing in mind that dark painted floorboards can feel a bit intense in small or shadowy rooms, so consider how the light moves through your home before diving in. In some instances, no amount of natural light will make your room feel bright and airy so it can make sense to go all in and embrace the cocooning darkness. Use dark floorboards as a way of making the room feel even cosier.
Caring for Your Painted Floorboards
You might be worried about maintenance when it comes to painting your floor, but painted floorboards can be surprisingly resilient with the right care, and they’re actually easier to maintain than you might think. Like any flooring, they will show signs of wear over time, especially in busy areas like hallways or kitchens, but a few simple habits will help them look their best for longer.
Start by choosing a durable floor paint designed to withstand foot traffic and scuffs. Opt for finishes like satin or eggshell for a balance between aesthetics and hard-wearing practicality. Once painted, avoid dragging furniture or sharp objects across the surface and always use felt pads on chair and table legs.
Regular sweeping and the occasional damp mop will keep the boards clean without wearing away the paint. Avoid overly wet cleaning methods though and definitely don’t use a steam mop, especially if you’ve used a wate-based paint. The beauty of painted floorboards is that touch-ups are easy: a light sand and a quick coat of paint can refresh tired-looking areas without having to start over. But definitely consider if you have the time and energy for this kind of upkeep. I fell foul here when I decided to paint our radiators. It took no time at all before they chipped and started looking really tatty, and now I wish I never did it!
Painted floorboards can be an expressive, affordable way to bring new life to tired timber. Whether you opt for timeless neutrals, playful pastels, or statement-making dark tones, the colour beneath your feet can shift the entire feel of a room. Just like any good design decision, it’s worth taking your time and choosing what speaks to you and the way you want to live in your home.