Paint a beautiful wood floor? You wouldn't! Actually, many happy homeowners are doing just that, and loving the results.
Painting your floor can give you exactly the look you want to make the most of your home décor scheme. It is also kinder to your budget than wood floor refinishing, and the work goes faster. Here is a closer look at why painting your wood floor isn't as crazy as you might think.
It's Stylish
The current emphasis on natural floors is a design trend. Following the trend is perfect if stains like honey oak or cherry fit into your overall design scheme.
But what if your ultra-modern dining room furniture calls out for white to set it off? If your bedroom set is dark already, perhaps a pastel floor is what you need to balance the look.
What about Victorian love seats and occasion tables in your living area? A deep green shade on your floor might bring out the coziness of the chintz on the furniture. Interior designers know that intense colors on the floor can add interest to a room.
It's Practical
Painting your floor is quick and relatively inexpensive. It costs much less to paint, and the project is much less messy, just a quick sanding, then priming and then painting. On the other hand, refinishing requires extensive sanding, cleaning, staining and sealing, requiring days of work.
If you have a very old hardwood floor, painting may be your best choice. Old floors are often so thin from several refinishings over the decades, they can't handle another sanding.
People Have Been Doing It for Centuries
People have been painting their wood floors for centuries. It is definitely not a new approach to floor style. In fact, from farmhouses to mansions in the 1800s, owners routinely painted floors.
Owners knew it was a reliable way to protect the wood, in an era before sealants were available. At the same time, painting let them add a note of color to the room, in a shade they chose.
Wondering what to do with your wood floor? Consider painting it, a very sensible approach to home decorating.