I have painted almost all the floors on the main floor of my home, and I absolutely love them. It has allowed me to use our money on fun things like couches and chairs, rugs, and custom shades.
Had it not been for my decision to paint the floors, I wouldn’t have the funds to decorate my home. You can check my blog post about it here.
I wanted to present counterpoints to the idea of painted floors so you can decide if it’s the best choice for you.
1. Painted Floors Are Not Pet-Friendly
I am not qualified to comment because I have never had a pet in my life, but I do know a lot about paint and painting wood. From my limited knowledge about pets, I can tell you that pets can be unkind to painted floors.
Paint is, after all, a finish that sits on the TOP of the surface. Unlike stains, it doesn’t sink in. So, your furry friend’s claws, paws, water spills, etc. – all of these naturally occurring things can damage your painted floors.
2. Painted Floors May Not Be For A Busy Household
Besides dogs, a house full of little kids with their toy cars, tricycles, baseball bats, friends, and friends of friends can cause a lot of wear and tear on your painted floors. My husband and I have grown children who don’t live with us anymore, so this is more of an opinion based on when my kids were little.
I have two girls who are not hard on things. I have grown up around boys, and they can cause a different level of wear and tear on anything and everything. So, your mileage may vary based on your particular circumstances.
3. Wearing Shoes At Home
Besides having a busy household and pets, I think shoes, heels, etc., can damage your painted floors quickly. We are shoeless around our house. We wear socks in the winter, but shoes stay in the laundry room or the closet. We also have a household of two and mainly two people who work for a bunch. Our whole house gets very little use. This may not be the case for many people.
4. If You Like to Rearrange Furniture and Rugs
This might be relevant to someone who likes rearranging furniture, moving around rugs, etc. The oil-based paint that is used on the floors yellows over time *only in the areas where it’s covered* and does not get sun exposure.
Lack of UV rays causes the paint to turn yellow in a few days. This problem (believe it or not) corrects itself. So, the yellow paint will become white again when exposed to UV rays, and it will be a non-issue. But it’s something to think about and keep in mind as the yellow floor (even temporarily) does not look good.
5. Selling Your Home Soon?
I must admit that I am seeing more and more prominent designers incorporating painted floors in their designs. painted wood floors are not as classic as unpainted, neutral wood floors.
I think painted floors are for those with very specific tastes. They might be YOUR taste, and they sure are mine, but they might not be the general buyer’s taste. For the same reasons mentioned above – a potential buyer (with three boys and two dogs) might think of the painted floors as something that will “need to be fixed ASAP” and subtract that from their offer.
Some potential buyers might get really offended by your choice to paint the wood. “Oh, the horror!” I would consult a realtor if there’s a strong chance of a home sale on the horizon.
6. Painting Floors Is Stinky & Messy
Let’s be honest. Floor refinishing and replacing is also disruptive and messy, but painting the floors is definitely a stinky endeavor. The paint that I used and that was recommended by my Sherwin-Williams store is oil-based enamel paint that stinks to high heavens.
The smell is powerful for at least two days, then it dissipates. Within a week, it will be faint and barely noticeable, but if you have a family member who is sensitive to smell, this will be a very unpleasant week for him/her.
7. Painted Floors Are A Temporary Solution
It’s like lipstick on the pig. It’s not a long-term fix. Controversial opinion, I know. You are just kicking the can down the road, not solving the problem permanently. Sometimes, temporary solutions can create permanent problems. The last thing you want is to be forced to deal with painted floors when it’s even more inconvenient – like an unexpected home sale.
Final Thoughts
Painted wood floors are a fantastic solution for a low-traffic home. They have worked well for our home. It may not be the best solution for a high-traffic home or a home that’s going on the market soon.
Although wear and tear is life, if that is not a deal breaker for you, I would recommend doing your research.