How To Paint Floorboards White (Step by Step Guide)

Painted white floorboards are on trend  in current home decor styles. They look stunning and the effect is quite easy to achieve with the right floorboard paint. This post details exactly how we went about painting wooden floors in our old house, including the best white floor paint for wood to use and how to prepare wooden floorboards for painting white.

Disclosure - I was gifted some Rust-Oleum paint for the purposes of this post. All opinions are honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links there is no extra charge to you but I will make some extra pennies!

Jump to:

• Why you should paint floorboards white
• What you will need
• Fix the original floorboards
• Sand the floorboards
• Wash the floor
• Use a stain block and primer
• Paint the floor white
• Leave it to dry and harden
• Don't forget the skirting boards
• How to maintain painted wooden floors
• Maintenance & Care: Keep Your White Floorboards Looking Fresh
• Choosing the right paint to paint your floorboards
• Other notes
• Shop this post...

Why you should paint floorboards white

In our new house I want hardwood floors that are easy to clean and maintain and look nice and bright. Underneath the carpets we had real wood floors so I knew that we could use a wood paint to paint them and make them look amazing. I think painted floors are easy to clean and good idea for children and as we had original victorian floorboards underneath the carpet in our new house I thought I would go about restoring them and painting them white.

I spent a lot of time researching how best to paint a wood floor so I thought I would share all that with you here in case you want to recreate the painted floorboards look.

What you will need

• Pliers
• Hammer
• Electric Screwdriver
• Wood filler
• Belt sander
• Mouse sander
• Sandpaper
• Goggles
• Mask
• Sugar Soap
• Scrubbing brush
• Polycel stain block
• Rustoleum Chalky Finish Floor Paint
• Paintbrushes

Fix the original floorboards

When we started off some of the floorboards were loose and had large splintered chunks out of them. There were also lots of nails and staples sticking out from where the carpet had been laid before. So the first job was to pull out all the staples, hammer in the nails and fix down any loose floorboards. We used a pair of pliers, a hammer and an electric screwdriver to fix down the loose boards. We had a couple of areas that needed new sections of floorboard so we bought some new and cut it to size and screwed it into the supporting batons. We weren't bothered by any joining lines as we weren't going for a 'perfect' look. If you didn't want any joining seams to show you could replace the whole floorboard if part of it was damaged.

We used some wood filler to fill in any largish holes and gaps in the floor and to smooth over the large splintered areas.

Sand the floorboards

The next job was to sand down the floors. As we knew that we wanted to paint them white we didn't need to sand them down completely, just enough to give them a smooth finish. We used a small electric hand sander which did the job perfectly (similar belt sander). It made quite a mess so I'd recommend sealing the doors and removing everything from the room before you start (and wear a mask and goggles!). For the best finish would recommend starting with a more coarse grit sandpaper the first time you go over the floor and then moving to a finer sandpaper to smooth the floorboards down afterwards. For the edges of the room you might want to use a more precise sander, like one with a pointed end such as a mouse sander. We found this was a great way to get the floors sanded on a budget.

Wash the floor

Once the floor was smooth it was time to wash it down before the paint job. I used sugar soap and a firm scrubbing brush, making sure the edges of the floor and between the floorboards was really clean. Once the floor dried and had a final hoover it was time to paint. For best results and to ensure the paint is properly dry, leave to dry overnight.

Use a stain block and primer

Because we hadn't sanded the floor back to it's original colour there remained large areas of black colour from when it was stained many years ago which we needed to cover. I was also concerned that some of the tannins in the wood  would show through the white paint so we painstakingly painted a coat of Polycell stain block on first to prevent any of the colour showing through. It is really difficult to paint with (it goes on like glue) but was well worth it as it meant that the black colour was all hidden and we didn't need to worry about the tannins in the wood bleeding through. If you have a floor that needs more stain block you might need to consider a couple of coats of paint here.

Paint the floor white

Once this first coat was done, painting was much easier. We painted one coat of simple primer and undercoat over the entire floor and then did the top coat with Rust-Oleum chalky finish floor paint in Chalk White. We did two layers of this top coat over the rest of the floor and the coverage and finish was beautiful. This is the best paint for floorboards that I have found, although I wouldn't immediately have thought to use chalk paint on floors. This paint appealed to me as it is a flat matt white which is hardwearing. It is the sort of paint you can apply on top of other paints too which meant it gave a really nice finish. It also means if you have a painted floor that needs less preparation than ours it could give you a really quick makeover.

If you find that the paint isn't going on smoothly you can sand it down between the penultimate and final coat. Don't forget to wipe it down after sanding with a damp cloth. 

Leave it to dry and harden

Once the two final coats over the whole floor were finished we gave it 24 hours to dry and a further week to harden before we put too much furniture back in the room.

I am so so happy with the finish we have achieved. It was much cheaper than having the floor professionally sanded down to the bare wood and staining it (or even hiring a sander ourselves). And obviously it was cheaper than having new carpet or laminate fitted. I love that the floor will be easy to clean and it really brightens up the room. It makes it look like we have new floors and it didn't cost half as much money as that would have cost.

Don't forget the skirting boards

Now you have a beautiful floor don't forget the skirting boards. You should sand and fill these and paint them at the same time as the flooring for a really nice finished look.

How to maintain painted wooden floors

Our painted wooden floors are in well used rooms - the playroom and the children's bedrooms. I have found that the white chalk paint stands up to use really well. It barely chips and is easy to hoover and mop. To keep the floor looking white every few months I mop it with a diluted bleach solution. Every year or two when it needs it I do a top up coat of the white floor chalk paint. It is really quick and easy to do a second coat all over the room and really refreshes it nicely. I'm sure that with steady but minimal maintenance these white floors will definitely outlast carpet.

Maintenance & Care: Keep Your White Floorboards Looking Fresh

Even the best paint job can lose its luster over time without proper care. Here are some simple tips to maintain the brightness and durability of your newly painted white floorboards:

1. Regular Cleaning Routine
   • Sweep or Vacuum Daily: Tiny dirt particles can act like sandpaper on the paint, so a quick sweep or vacuum helps prevent scratching.
   • Mop with Mild Detergent: Use a gentle, pH-neutral floor cleaner or a mild soap solution to preserve the paint finish. Avoid overly harsh chemicals or excessive water, as these can wear down the paint or cause discoloration.
2. Protect the Surface
   • Use Rugs and Mats: Place runners or area rugs in high-traffic areas (like entryways or hallways) to minimize scuffs and scratches. Opt for rugs with non-slip backings to prevent movement and further wear.
   • Add Felt Pads to Furniture: Attach felt pads under chair and table legs to avoid drag marks or deep scratches.
3. Address Spills Quickly
   • Spot-Clean Immediately: Wipe up spills as soon as they happen with a soft cloth or sponge. Quick action prevents stains from setting in and reduces the need for harsh scrubbing later.
4. Touch-Ups and Refreshes
   • Inspect Regularly: Look out for chips or scratches, especially in heavily used rooms like kitchens or living areas.
   • Lightly Sand and Recoat: If you spot areas where the paint has worn thin, lightly sand and reapply the paint in those spots for a seamless finish. A periodic full recoat every few years (or as needed) helps maintain a crisp look.

By following these maintenance practices, you'll ensure your white floorboards remain vibrant and inviting for years to come. Regular touch-ups and conscientious cleaning go a long way in preserving both the appearance and integrity of your painted surfaces-keeping your home looking fresh and stylish.

Keep an eye out on the blog for the finished room tours when rest of the decorating is done! I'm also going to be sharing some posts about up-cycling furniture with chalk paint.

Choosing the right paint to paint your floorboards

We used Rustoleum Chalky Floor Paint for this floor and it has a lovely smooth texture and is lovely to paint with. On other flooring in our house we have also used garage floor paint and Farrow and Ball Railings in modern eggshell. Interestingly the garage floor paint is the one that has chipped the most - the Rustoleum floor paint is hands down my favourite.

Choosing the right paint color is key - head to your local paint store and pick up a couple of samples to try out to see what they look like in the actual area you will be painting. Colours always look different when they aren't in the store. You might also want to see which finish you prefer  - a matt finish or a satin or gloss finish.

Other notes

Since I wrote this post we have painted the floorboards in other rooms of the house in darker colours. Our playroom is painted in a dark grey and the floorboards in our hallway, and the stairs too are a black colour. The hallway is a high traffic area and the paint here has held up really well too. I'd have no hesitation in recommending that you paint the old wood floors in your home.

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