We've been on a kitchen floor kick this week: First the cork, then a survey of what kind of floors you all have. But we've saved the prettiest for last. Read on for all kinds of painted floors, from diamonds to seaside motifs to some incredibly gutsy polka dots...
We know painted floors aren't guaranteed low-cost, but they can certainly be cheaper than refinishing or replacing some so-so wood floors in an old house. Coating floors in a glossy layer of paint can really brighten things up, and if they're glossy enough, they're a cinch to clean.
We love the look of an all-white kitchen with fresh, white floors, but we also love the calm, restful blues (almost like the opposite of the blue porch ceilings you see in Charleston). And the patterns? Such a bold way to dress up a simple kitchen. All of them look light and airy. Here are ten of our favorites.
1. White sea creatures on a blue floor--and that's not even the most inventive thing in the kitchen. Check out the ceiling! From Coastal Living.
2. A muted color palette that's still dramatic. A local artist painted this kitchen floor, keeping the wood on display but creating a beautiful, classic diamond pattern. From Southern Living.
3. Polka dots big and small. And in various colors, too. This is from Jennifer's Cool and Kitschy Austin Home.
4. Bold turquoise for a beach bungalow. We've seen this image all over the web--for good reason. It's really eye-catching and perfect for a beach house. From Martha Stewart.
5. Rust-colored lattice on a cream background. Not all painted floors have to be kicky and bright. This would fit right in with French country decor. From House Beautiful.
6. A hint of pale blue in a white kitchen. Ahhh, we love this. So lovely and calm. And the lime green on the inside of the cabinets is such a perfect little complement. From House Beautiful.
7. All white for a high-ceilinged loft. This whole apartment is just cool, but the white floors in the kitchen make it feel all the more spacious. (And how great is the library ladder?) From Martha Stewart.
8. Or all black! Black paint could hide a multitude of sins (mismatched wood, burn marks, a bad stain...). From Living Etc.
9. A barely-there mint and cream checkerboard. We think this pale green is almost a neutral in a kitchen, and it's perfect for this space filled with retro accents. From Country Living.
10. Yellow floors for a New Hampshire farmhouse. You expect wide, hardwood planks in an old farmhouse, but this is such a nice change. And the yellow isn't too bright, so it fits right in with the rustic accents. From Frank & Jill's Frajil Farm Renovation.
Related: Hot or Not: Wood Floors in the Kitchen
(Images: Tria Giovan/Coastal Living; Van Chaplin/Southern Living; Adrienne Breaux; MarthaStewart.com; Nathan Schroder/House Beautiful; Don Freeman/House Beautiful; MarthaStewart.com; Living Etc.; William Steele/Country Living; Wes & Kayla)
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Wow that second picture is beautiful! Love the floor, love the blue, love the white -- the island is a bit big and formal, but boy howdy -- what a gorgeous color combo!
Great pictures - need more info on the rug in the last one though!
Lovely. I do wonder, though -- wouldn't light colors show dirt and scuffs more than other colors and surfaces?
Lovely floors, but I don't think I could ever bring myself to paint wood floors inside my home. I wonder if I could do it to some seriously yucky linoleum...
Ditto on the rug.
the rug in the last photo is a folk rug made from fabric scraps. i remember making one of these in 4h when i was younger. you can find them in thriftshops and antique stores all over new england. they are usually pretty inexpensive. i'm not sure, but i think they are called rag rugs. at least that is what i've always called them.
My husband and I have been considering pulling up the (many, hideous) layers of linoleum from our kitchen floor. We're pretty sure that underneath, we'll find hardwood, but we don't know what kind of condition it will be in.
Our downstairs is basically two rooms, separated by a wall that bisects the house along its axis. That wall has two arches (one narrow, one wide) and no doors leading into the kitchen. The living room floor is recently refinished hardwood.
The question: would a painted kitchen floor look too odd next to the finished wood floor in the next room? I'm figuring the paint job I can do, but I'd probably have to call in the cavalry (ie a pro) if I wind up having to refinish the wood....