How to paint your floorboards white – our bedroom

Today on the blog is all about how to paint your floorboards white, which is exactly what we did when making over our master bedroom a while back! 

Whilst our bedroom has been decorated for quite a while now, I’ve felt for a while now that it was let down by the manky old carpet in the room (you can see some of the ‘before’ photos on this post!). It wasn’t the worst in the world, but it was a shade of beige that did nothing for the walls and styling, and I knew that it had to go. I do like carpet in the bedroom sometimes (especially now I think in the kids’ room, so they can get down on the floor and play), but as I was unsure as to whether carpet WAS what we were going to go for long term, plus the expense of having one fitted right now, meant my thoughts were heading more and more towards floorboards for our own bedroom. We had painted floorboards in our old-old house, and really liked the look of them then. 

I persuaded Adam that floorboards were the way to go, but we were undecided whether we attempted to sand and oil the boards, or simply paint white. After pulling up some of the carpet, we could see that the floorboards were generally in great condition, but as some had been replaced, we decided that it would be a massive faff to then try and stain/varnish/oil the newer ones in order to match the others, with no guarantee of a great result. We also had some leftover white floorboard paint from when our study was decorated, so decided to crack on with using this once we had lightly sanded the boards and then pulled out the staples from the old carpet underlay.

We removed all the carpet, and then started painting one half of the room, taking 3 coats to complete the first side, then moving the furniture back over and doing the same with the other half.

I was surprised that we only needed one more 2.5l tin of Ronseal White Floorboard paint, so all in all this project cost us under £40 for brand new floor! 

I feel so happy with this room now (plus mega chuffed with my £60 teal chair from Homebase)- we just need a new, slicker telly for the wall and I can tick this room off as a job well done! 

Benefits of Painting Floorboards White

If you’re still on the fence about picking up a paintbrush and painting your floor, here are some of the top reasons to love white-painted floorboards – and why it might be the perfect update for your home!

Lighten a Dark Room

White floorboards are an easy way to make spaces brighter, because they work especially well in older homes, where rooms can potentially feel dark and dingey. Rooms become instantly brighter and more spacious with light-coloured floors, as they reflect light much better than darker stained or even natural wood floors, even during cloudy days.

Tip: Combine pale walls and light curtains to create a unified and bright room appearance.

Make Small Spaces Feel Larger

White floorboards can make smaller bedrooms, hallways, or box rooms appear larger by creating a sense of expanded space. The use of light colours generates a perception of depth, while making areas appear more expansive by guiding visual focus toward the periphery. The result? No wall demolition required to achieve a perception of increased room size!

Bonus: Installing floorboards in a lengthwise direction will help to lengthen a room and create a visual extension of the space.

Scandinavian & Minimalist Style Appeal

Scandinavian interior design features white painted floors as a traditional design element and has that ‘clean lines’ look and feel that so many people covert. White floors are the perfect background for layered textures and natural tones in combination with modern furniture, if your style preference is hygge vibes, Japandi style or minimalism.

Their striking appearance makes them perfect for beautiful home styling, or estate agent listings.

Easy to Refresh or Repaint

Painted floorboards allow easier maintenance compared to varnished or stained floors. Ready for a fresh appearance within the next one to two years? Sand the surface gently before applying a fresh coat of paint in the original colour, or you can choose to go with an entirely new colour – it’s up to you!

White flooring maintains its classic appeal while serving as a versatile foundation for seasonal updates and trend exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Painting Floorboards White

Do you need to sand floorboards before painting white?

The floorboards must be sanded before applying white paint for best results. This process eliminates old finishes, while smoothing surface defects and creates a better surface for paint adhesion. While it isn’t necessary to sand all the way to bare wood, you should perform a light to medium sanding with 80–120 grit paper.

Can you paint floorboards without primer?

Technically, you can – but it doesn’t mean you should! A primer improves paint adhesion while protecting against stains and providing a uniform surface that becomes crucial with white paint. If you skip the primer stage boards that are stained or previously varnished will show peeling or uneven colouring.

What type of paint is best for painting floorboards white?

Floorboards should be painted with long-lasting floor paint or resilient eggshell/satin wood paint. Choose water-based floor paints for wood surfaces or oil-based floor paints if you want a stronger finish. Dulux, Ronseal, and Farrow & Ball produce specific white floor paint ranges.

How long does floor paint take to dry before walking on it?

Floor paints need 4–6 hours to achieve touch-dryness, and 12–24 hours to withstand light foot traffic. Refer to the tin for precise drying times, and don’t move furniture or rugs back onto the floor for a minimum of 48–72 hours so the paint can cure completely.

How do you prevent white floor paint from chipping?

You should adequately prepare the surface by thoroughly cleaning and sanding before priming, and choose high-quality floor paint to apply two coats to prevent chipping. Achieve greater protection by applying a transparent topcoat like polyurethane or floor lacquer to seal the floor surface. Protect floors by placing felt pads under furniture (my husband’s obsession!) and refrain from dragging objects along the surface.

Should I seal painted floorboards?

White-painted floorboards require sealing to prevent damage from regular use. A clear polyurethane sealant or floor varnish provides extra protection to floors while simplifying cleaning tasks. Apply the sealant only when the paint has completely dried to prevent smudging.

Can you paint floorboards if they are varnished or stained?

Yes, before applying paint you should sand and prime the surface. Varnished and stained wood surfaces resist paint adhesion, leading to peeling. Proper sanding and applying a bonding primer before painting will ensure your white floor paint adheres well and maintains its finish for an extended period.

So many people are indecisive when it comes to choosing whether to paint their floorboards white, or to keep them in their natural wood condition. The selection hinges on your personal style and lifestyle demands, because both white and natural wood floorboards present unique practical and aesthetic attributes (and challenges!). Here, I’ve put together a comparison that guides you through the pros and cons of choosing white floorboards compared to natural wood!

This is a good video to watch that shows you how to easily paint your floorboards white:

See more of my DIY posts and also posts about our home! 

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.