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Originally, I hadn’t planned on sharing with you how I went about painting our floors. But then I remember how much time I spent on the internet searching and pouring over websites that had any mention of how to do it.
I was REALLY nervous about painting the floors. I was scared that it wouldn’t look the way I envisioned, or that the paint wouldn’t wear well. Before I finally committed, I read a ton and talked to several people at our local Sherwin Williams store.
In the end, this is how we did it. And I’m happy with the results, so perhaps it will work for you as well!
We started the whole process by ripping out old carpet and laying down new pine flooring.
We went with a softer wood like pine because we wanted it to get beat up and worn in. So if you select to go with pine, please please please be aware of this! Also, we ordered ours from a website and then picked it up at a local store. We were not aware that it had grooves!!! The only thing I dislike about the girls floor is the grooves! It’s a nice place to collect any dirt! 
But at least it all goes there and I can sort of walk over it, rather than in it, right? Anyway, I suggest finding flooring that does not have grooves, or perhaps turning the board over. . .?? That’s what I wish we had done.
The next step was filling any nail or floor staple holes, quickly sanding the whole surface down with a palm sander, and vacuuming up all the dust!
Now you’re ready for paint!!
We started by priming the floors. Over the years, we’ve really come to like Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water Base Primer/Sealer that we purchase at Home Depot.
After all my research, we opted to use Sherwin Williams’ Floor & Porch Enamel, in True White. I can’t remember now if I did 2 or 3 coats, but my guess is 2.
One place where I strayed from the advice given by Sherwin Williams is that they told us that we could just put down the paint and we wouldn’t need to seal it with a polyurethane. They gave us a time frame in which it would need to dry. We gave it that amount of time (something around a week. . .it was a fairly long time) and the paint was still tacky and we would leave foot prints if we attempted to walk on it. Finally, I gave up, said screw this and bought a water based polyurethane for floors and we were moved back in the next day!
To apply the poly, you’ll need a special painter’s pad and pole. Use long straight stokes. Though water based poly is less likely to yellow, you’ll want to be especially careful not to let it get too thick or puddle, as it will still yellow in those circumstances. Apply at least 2 coats and be sure to follow the directions on the package for drying time, etc.
Pretty, shiny, *clean* white floors!!!! (they never looked quite like that again!) 
White floors are not for everyone. If you’re looking for pristine, this is probably not the route for you—unless you have hired someone to meticulously clean the floors hourly!! However, if you like your floors to look worn in, and appreciate the character of some scuffs and dings, then you may have found the perfect thing!!
Also, we painted the floors in my husband & my bedroom black. We followed the exact same process as described above.
I HATE them.
Painting a dark color did not work out for us. I would paint another floor white in a heartbeat, but if I want dark, we’re staining them from here on out!!!
So, I hope that answered some questions you may have. If you’re considering attempting this and have questions, don’t hesitate to ask!! I know I would have loved to have someone who had done it to ask questions! Painting floors is a bit scary and a big commitment! But I am SO glad I went for it!!
xoxo Lori Danelle
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I want to paint my home office floors white so so badly! yours look awesome!
Thanks so much for sharing this post! We have contemplated white floors in our bedroom but didn't know whether to keep with the polished look that is currently throughout the majority of our house. The finished result looks fanastic! I will definitely show this post to my husband. Thaks again, Sophie
Hi! Thanks for sharing how you did your floor! We just painted our wood plank kitchen floor white and I can’t decide if I should poly over it. We used benjamin moore floor and patio paint and it looks great but it’s been 5 days and the slightest dirt on your feet or house slippers leaves prints. Have you had any trouble with the poly or are you still glad you used it? It seems like it would show a lot less dirt than just the paint.
SO GLAD WE USED FLOOR POLY!!!
We had the same trouble with paint alone. We were told we could use just paint, but the paint never got fully try & was just the slightest bit tacky. . .thus causing prints. Argh!! After 2 rounds of poly we were walking on it the next day and we had been waiting nearly a week with the paint. Good Luck!!
thanks! that makes me feel much better. I kept reading horror stories from blogs and paint store reps about water based poly not sticking to the paint or yellowing so it’s great to hear that it worked for you and that it’s durable! I think we’ll give it a go
Make sure you use water-based poly for floors. Poly does have a tendency to yellow, but the water-based kind is less likely. Just do your best not to let it get too thick & not puddle anywhere. A couple of light coats is better than thick ones. We did not have any trouble with it not sticking, so I’m not sure what that’s all about!
I finished priming (2 coats) kids floor yesterday! But I am stuck on whether to choose regular late paint or floor/porch paint. I have been told twice (Lowes & SW) that porch paint should not be used indoors because of the chemicals in it, sorry, i can’t remember specifically which one. They stressed this especially in childrens rooms. Have you heard of this? Or am I being too paranoid? It is at our cottage so it doesn’t get that much use…
btw: White Floor looks amazing!
Hmm. I have not heard that. In fact, SW suggested that I use Floor/Porch paint. I just did a quick internet search & see that Lowe’s has an interior Floor/Porch paint.
My guess? Some very well-meaning employees were giving over-protective advice. All paint gives off chemicals while you paint — thus you should always make sure you paint in a well ventilated area. They even sell a Low VOC paint to ward against that. And as I assume you’ll put a Poly over the paint, you’ll be putting a barrier in place.
If it were me, I’d use the floor/porch paint. But you’ll have to take that for what it’s worth as I’m just someone who did this before & not an expert on either paint or chemicals.
Good Luck!!! I’m sure it will look amazing, whatever you choose.
I am so glad I found this post. I am painting my laminate kitchen floor this week. I added primer and put on one coat of the porch and floor paint last night. It is still tacky today and I wanted to cry when I came down the stairs, worried all this time and energy and MONEY will be wasted. I am getting the poly tomorrow. I hope it does the trick.
Thank you!
I remember that sinking feeling! The poly saved us. I put on two coats, which I think is necessary. The first coat didn’t give it the right finish, but once the second was in place, we were good to go!
For upkeep, you may need to reapply a coat or two ever other year or so.
Good Luck!
I just painted my floor of a game room to look like an ice rink all white with red and blue lines and a big Chicago Blackhawks head in the center. it was weeks of painting and getting the floor to look like a real ice rink. when i applied Varathane crystal clear gloss poly to it the whole thing yellowed in streaks on me. so i scuffed the clear and repainted the white parts but now I am at a standstill on what to do, any ideas?? Thanks, Scott