How to paint your floor

How to paint a floor (wood, laminate, stone, linoleum…)

Important tip first: Do you have an IKEA laminated floor? My advice is NOT to paint it. These floors have a protective coating that prevents the paint from adhering properly. The paint will start peeling off in no time.

1. Clean the floor thoroughly.

Use a good degreaser and rinse well with warm water afterwards, as any residue from the degreaser can cause stains in the paint.

2. Apply a thick coat of paint using the Annie Sloan oval brush.

For floors, I recommend one of the thicker brushes, such as No. 12 or No. 16. Move your brush in all directions to create a beautiful texture in the paint. Let this first coat dry for at least 24 hours.

3. Then apply a second coat.

This time you may add a small amount of water. You can mix the paint with water, but I prefer dipping only the tip of the brush lightly in water. This helps to apply the layer more smoothly. Again, let this second coat dry for at least 24 hours.

⚠️ If you want to use a stencil, skip step 4 and continue at step 5.

4. Now it's time to apply the Annie Sloan Lacquer, which will protect the floor.

You will need 3 layers in total. Each layer needs 24 hours of drying time.

Available in Matt and Gloss. Gloss finishes are generally more durable than Matt finishes. For an extra strong finish, apply two layers of Gloss followed by one layer of Matt for a matte look.
Keep in mind that the Lacquer contains a component that sinks to the bottom, so it’s important to stir constantly. Work quickly and don’t stay in the same spot longer than one or two brushstrokes. Make sure to apply very thin coats.

After 24 hours, apply the second layer in the same way, and again let it dry for 24 hours before applying the third and final layer.

5. If you want to apply stencils to the floor, one thing is extremely important:

Apply the paint very thinly with a (sponge) roller. The roller should be as “dry” as possible. If you use too much paint, it can seep under the stencil — and you definitely want to avoid that.
Once you’ve applied the stencil, let it dry for 2–3 hours.

Now it’s time to protect your floor with Annie Sloan Lacquer. Important: Lacquer contains a component that sinks to the bottom, so you must keep stirring constantly.

Apply a thin layer of Lacquer with a large flat brush or roller (I prefer the brush). Work quickly and don’t keep working over the same area once it’s covered — you may lift the paint off the floor if you do.
In total: 3 layers of Lacquer, each with 24 hours of drying time.

Final note

Once you’ve painted your floor — with or without stencils — remember that it is a painted floor. If something sharp falls on it, the paint layer can get damaged. But with a small touch-up of paint and a bit of Lacquer, you can easily repair it.