You can paint practically anything.  Even your floors.  A painted wood floor is a light and airy alternative to dark stain.

Add a little stencil and you can create a masterpiece on your floor.

You can paint over other flooring, as well – like linoleum or vinyl.  What an inexpensive facelift for a room!

A fun, happy color on a floor can take a kitchen to a whole other level.

The Swedes love their white painted floors – one more surface to reflect the natural light that they crave.

If that feels too boring, a colorful accent like these green stair treads do the trick.

Dated terra cotta tiles were updated rather than replaced with a few fabulous coats of chocolate-hued paint.  Now that’s upcycling!

Need some instructions?  Here you go:

• knock down the sheen and rough up the surface with 150-grit sandpaper
• wash the floor with a powdered detergent cleaner to remove all dust
• allow floor to dry completely (this is very important – may take a couple of days)
• paint on a primer compatible with your paint type
• allow primer to dry overnight
• lightly sand primer with 220-grit sandpaper
• wipe floor clean with mineral spirits with tack cloth or a rag
• apply the first, thin coat of paint with a natural-bristle brush (creates a smooth finish – a roller creates stippled finish)
• allow to dry 24 hours
• apply two more thin coats, allowing 24 hours between each

You can walk on the surface in socks after 24 hours.  An oil-based paint dries overnight, but takes 28 days to cure to maximum hardness.  Good luck!

Photo Credits:  Chris Kauffman, DecorPad, Design Dazzle, Apartment Therapy, Elle Decor (last 3).