According to the preservation-oriented website Historic New England, the painting of wood floors, especially the soft white pine of colonial New England, was well underway by the end of the 18th century.

It is not difficult to see why colonial era home-owners would paint their floors. Coverings such as rugs and carpets would have been luxuries of the rich, not a standard feature among ordinary folk. By painting their wood floors, early home-builders would be able to both preserve the wood, and to decorate the floor at the same time.

Out of this early development of painted floors has grown a long tradition of floor painting, encompassing styles ranging from a plain coat of paint to the most intricate designs imaginable — some of which create the illusion of carpets, of parquetry, or other motifs. As part of this tradition, floor painting with stencils has developed its own niche.

A typical paint scheme of the 18th century is the black and white checkerboard design. A beautiful example of checkerboard design, meant to look like marble, can be seen in the foyer of Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor of New York City:

Painted wood floor in New York's Gracie Mansion

Other traditional designs of painted floors included the compass rose motif, which was often painted to appear as a design created with inlaid wood, stencil motifs in floral and geometric designs, wildlife and floral designs, and designs meant to mimic expensive wood inlays.

If you want to recreate a very rustic look, perhaps in a period kitchen, for example, then a painted wood floor is one possibility to consider.  If you are restoring an antique painted wood floor, then other considerations may come into play also.

Here are some resources to help you plan a painted floor project. Research your job thoroughly, to ensure  sure you do the right prep work, and are working with the correct tools. With some careful planning and a little artistic creativity, painting a floor can be a rewarding and affordable project.

Floor Painting Resources:

Softwood Flooring at Historic New England Site

How to Restore Painted Wood Floors

Floor Paint Stencil Designs

Floor Painting Tips

A beautiful finish on wide plank red oak floor

Choosing a stain

You can stain a wood floor almost any color under the sun. However, the first question to ask yourself is whether you want to stain your wood floor at all. You don’t have to. You can simply apply the topcoat or finish, and let the natural color, grain, and character of the wood shine through.  But sometimes, for various reasons, you may want to stain the wood. Typical situations that call for a stain include trying to match the wood  to an adjacent floor, or trying to reproduce a certain historic look and color for your wide plank floor.

Different stains ( and there are a confusing variety of stains on the market) can work well or poorly depending on the wood species. Again, your flooring professional should know their stains, and be able to advise you accordingly. Pigment stains, for example, work well on oak, ash, and hickory. Maple and cherry, however, can become blotchy if a sealer is not used first. And keep in mind, dark stains will be more likely to show dirt easily.

The best advice when it comes to choosing whether or not to stain, and what stain to use, is to discuss it fully with your flooring supplier and installer. You can also check out the websites of the stain manufacturers, and gain some valuable information that way.

Choosing a finish

The finish, or topcoat, is the protective layer that covers the wood floor. Properly applied, it should last for many years and be virtually maintenance-free. Unlike stains, which are optional, you will certainly want to apply a finish topcoat to your wood floor.

Our recommendation is to go with either an oil-based polyurethane or tung oil varnish for a long-lasting finish. Several coats will be needed, and in-between each coat, your installer will “screen” (lightly sand) and “tack-rag” (dust removal by rags) the finish coat.

Finishes generally come “clear” or transparent, and dry to a hard, scratch-resistant finish that lets the natural beauty of the wood shine through. However, you can also consider what’s called an “amber” finish. This finish, as the name suggests, adds an amber tint to the polyurethane, which results in a more aged look. It can be a suitable choice especially for wide plank flooring, where the goal is to create an antique look to the floor.

As with most home design projects, take the time to learn all the facts about stains and finishes, and what your options are. Some time invested in this crucial final step will surely add to your satisfaction and enjoyment of your new or restored wood flooring.