COLOUR’S ALL ABOVE BOARD

PAINTING FLOORBOARDS IS A GREAT, COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO LIFT A ROOM

Bringing old floorboards back to life by sanding and polishing is incredibly popular. They’re low maintenance and perfect for high traffic areas.

However, you never really know what’s lurking under the existing floor covering until you remove it and sometimes the floorboards are too damaged to polish. The alternative? Paint them.

Painting floorboards is an effective low-cost solution and can create a real statement in any room. And the best news is – it’s pretty straightforward.

Picking the right colour for your floor will depend on the style of your home and the overall look and feel you’re going for. Then it’s down to work.

Assess the state of your floor. You 1. might have to sand the floor right back to the boards. If you do, I’d hire an industrial sander. Or the wood might only need a light sand – this all depends on the condition of the floor and the look you are after. A thorough clean is vital.

Now it’s time to apply the paint. It’s 2. important to use a specialised floor paint – there are a number on the market. Use a paint roller for a more even 3. finish and allow it to dry for at least eight hours – preferably overnight. You’ll need to leave your room open for airflow to help with drying – or hire a commercial dryer. It’s better do this job in the warmer 4. months with a low humidity. Most floors need at least two coats of paint and if the timber is raw it could take more. Choosing the same colour floor for a 5. number of connecting rooms helps link them together and creates flow in the house.

Painting floorboards is a great cost-effective way to lift a room – plus the money you save could leave cash in the budget for a nice rug or two. Watch Selling Houses Australia – only on Foxtel.