Can you paint tile floors? Yes! I’m sharing how to paint a tile floor so it looks good and lasts! We painted the ceramic tile floors in our bathroom and this simple, inexpensive DIY transformed our space!
Have you ever had a project that ended up being so much easier than you expected that you wished you hadn’t procrastinated so long to do it? Painting the ceramic tile floors in our first floor bathroom was one of those projects!
I decided I was going to figure out how to paint our tile floor way back in 2014 when I was making over my space for the One Room Challenge. But.. the stenciling of the bathroom walls took so long that I ran out of time to do it before my big reveal. Somehow THREE full years went by before I finally knocked this little DIY project. It ended up being so cheap and easy to do and I LOVE the result! Welcome to my its-five-hundred-times-better-than-those-ugly-reddish-floors-were bathroom!
Such a HUGE improvement over the reddish tile we started with, right?!
And believe it or not, the ugly color wasn’t even the worst thing about the old tile floors. Behind both the sink and the toilet, the tile had gross, ugly stains that I couldn’t get off no matter how hard I tried. It was completely gagworthy and something the previous owners hid under a custom cut rug they had in this bathroom when we bought the house:
Now you’d never know that my poor tile had such an ugly past!
It’s been six years now since we painted our tile floors and I would do it all over again! Today, I’m sharing everything you need to know about how to paint a tile floor so it lasts! 🙌🏻 (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my full disclosure statement {here})
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
These are the supplies you’ll need to successfully knock this project out:
- Sandpaper (I used 80, 120, and 220 grit) and/or an electric sander (I used {this sander} and {this sandpaper} that fits it.
- Stripper and cleaner (I used {this one})
- Grout or caulk to repair cracked/missing grout (if needed)
- Bonding primer (I swear by {this STIX primer})
- 4″ mini rollers such as {these} that have ¼″ nap
- Mini roller frame
- Paint brush
- Benjamin Moore Floor & Patio Paint
- Polyurethane topcoat (optional)
Step 2: Sand Your Tile Floors
The first step is to lightly sand your tile floors. The purpose is not to remove the glaze on the tile, it’s just to scuff it up which helps the primer adhere. And it also removed the disgusting crap on the surface of my tile that I couldn’t get off no matter what I tried.
It’s important to note that ceramic tile can contain lead so consider testing for it or consulting with a professional if you’re unsure about your tile. Always use protective eyewear and an appropriate mask or respirator to prevent you from breathing in the sanding dust. And contain the dust so it doesn’t go into other areas of the house.
I used {this electric sander} which makes the job so much quicker and easier than doing it by hand. If you do a lot of projects around the house and don’t already have one of these electric sanders, I’d highly recommend it. It’s lightweight, fits in the palm of your hand, and has an angled head to get into corners easily:
I sanded the tiles that had a build-up of crud on them with 80 grit sandpaper, did a light sanding of the whole floor with 120 grit, and then finished off with a quick once-over with a fine 220 grit sandpaper. A variety pack of sandpapers that fit the mouse sander such as {this one} is perfect.
Step 3: Clean Your Floors (Super Well!)
After finishing sanding, I vacuumed up all of the dust and debris and then went to town on cleaning my floors. Any heavy-duty stripper & cleaner should do the job – you can get the one that I used online {here}.
I mixed the cleaner with water (per the instructions), mopped it onto the floor, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then scrubbed the entire floor with a nylon scrub brush. Then I cleaned it off with bucket of warm water and did it a second time. The cleaner the floor, the better your paint will adhere!
Step 4: Repair any Missing Grout or Cracked Tiles
The grout on our floor was a mess and there are several areas where chunks of it were missing. Regrouting is a pretty huge job since you need to spend a lot of time digging out the old grout first so I went the easy route and simply used paintable caulk to fill in and smooth over any bare spots in my grout. The caulk adhered well and now that it’s painted, you would never know that I had done it.
Now would be the time to replace or repair any cracked tiles too. I had one tile closer to our bathtub with a crack in it but knew it would be covered by our bathroom rug so I simply caulked the cracked portion and sanded down the rough edge a bit instead of replacing it.
Step 5: Apply a Good Primer
Using a really good primer is the key to success for painting ceramic tile! I used INSL-X STIX (available {here}) which is my go-to primer for painting surfaces that paint might normally have a hard time adhering too.
I used a paint brush and small roller simultaneously (I use a ¼ inch mini roller like {these}), painting the edges and grout lines with my brush and then rolling on the primer for the rest. Just make sure to start at the far end of the room and work towards the door so you don’t paint yourself into a corner. Once it was dry, I recoated using the same technique.
Step 6: Paint Your Tile!
I painted our floor tile in the same way as I primed it, using a paint brush on the edges and on the grout and rolling the rest as I went (as with the primer, I used a 4 inch mini roller like {this}):
The type of paint that I used was Benjamin Moore’s Floor & Patio Paint since it’s meant to stand up to lots of use and abuse. It comes in High Sheen and Low Sheen options. I chose Low Sheen just for personal preference.
I applied three coats of paint, letting it dry according to the paint instructions in between coats. The color I chose is Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray, which is the same gray color as the lighter portions of my stenciled walls.
Step 7: Seal Your Tile?
The last step, if you choose to do it, is to seal your tile. I was definitely torn on whether or not to seal mine. With porch paint you technically don’t need to seal it since the paint is made to withstand a lot of wear. The pro of adding a polyurethane topcoat is that it will make your painted tile more durable. The negative is that with a polyurethane topcoat, if you get a gash in your floor that needs to be repaired, it’s a little trickier to fix in a way that it blends in perfectly if you’ve topcoated with polyurethane.
I decided NOT to use a polyurethane topcoat and years later I’m happy with that choice. At one point a deep scratch appeared on one of our tiles that I’m guessing was made by stone getting stuck in someone’s shoe tread while construction was being done on our house. I was able to sand and repaint just that one tile and it blended in perfectly.
I also recoated our painted tile floors a few years after they were first done to freshen them up, and since I had no polyurethane topcoat I didn’t have to do any prepwork to remove it before repainting.
Step 8: Let Your Floor Dry & Then Put It To Use!
After your last coat of paint or polyurethane, give your floor at least a couple of days to fully dry before walking on it. The more humid it is, the longer it will take. It’s best to be gentle with it (no heeled shoes, etc.) for the first week or two until everything is fully cured.
Overall, I’m incredibly happy with how our painted tile floor looks and how it’s worn! Especially for a project that cost me under $100!
It’s fun to look back and see how far this bathroom has come. This is what it looked like when we moved in and the tile was covered by carpet (which I promptly took out because I decided that even the ugliest tile is better than a rug that goes around the toilet – yuck!):
and here it is today:
Powder Room Sources: Damask Wall Stencil (11.25″ x 15.5″) | Arched wood medicine cabinet mirror – no longer available | Pedestal Sink | Sconces (Polished Nickel) | Gray & white striped towel
The best part is that it’s a room we didn’t spend a ton of money on. Other than the money spent on the wood medicine cabinet and sconces, the rest of the changes were accomplished with inexpensive DIY projects. To learn more about our bathroom makeover check out my posts on:
Wall Stencils (yes, those walls are stenciled, not wallpapered!)
How to Replace a Towel Bar with Fixed Ceramic Ends
Also check out my post on our painted bathroom vanity which was another easy painting project that made a huge difference!
UPDATE!! If you’re wondering how our painted tile floors have held up, check out my post how how our painted tile lasted with an update of how they had done years later!
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Patricia J Leahy says
Painting the bathroom floor didn’t come out right. I had my handyman go to our local Rings End and bought the primer and paint that could be used on garage floors. I see exactly where we went wrong NOW. No sanding, no stripper & cleaner but I did vacuum and washed the floor with Clorox & water. Two coats primer and one coat top paint. It’s a miserable mess-the white primer is scratched and the one coat of Navy blue obviously did not stick. I think I will rent a palm sander and start over myself and follow your direction to the word. Thank You.
Kris Jarrett says
I’m glad that you found this post helpful! I would definitely scuff up your floors by sanding first and I would also tint your primer since you’re using a dark color over it. Finally, if it’s in a room that gets a lot of wear, I would finish it off with a top coat!
Dorothy says
Thanks so much for your inspiration. Does this paint have a bad odor like some of the other tile paint I have been reading about?
Kris Jarrett says
Dorothy it had an odor but nothing terrible – I’ve read that about certain tile paints and don’t think this is anywhere near as smelly as those.
Bri says
Love love LOVE!!!! Going to do this to my bathroom after reading this!
Rain says
Hi, your project looks great! I came across your page when I was googling on re painting toilet. I am looking at painting a small patch of the tiles in the shower area. Do you think the paint which you recommend would stand up to daily dose of shower water or it’s better to go with epoxy paint? Thanks!
Kris Jarrett says
I think for daily water and moisture like in the shower I’d do an epoxy paint. With daily high humidity like that, this might not hold up.
Tammy says
Hi Kris,
Your bathroom looks fabulous! Thank you for sharing!
What is your thought about doing this same painting process on a kitchen tile floor that gets higher traffic than a bathroom?
It seems hard to find a clear sealer that isn’t glossy…..even the polyurethanes that say matte finish dry with a shine. Any suggestions? Or recommendations on a product that is clear and seals with a matte finish? for tile?
Thanks!
Tammy
Kris Jarrett says
If you do a high traffic spot like that, I’d definitely use a top coat. I know that Minwax’s Polyacrylic in Matte is not shiny because I just used it on a refinished table but I don’t know if that’s an appropriate topcoat for flooring – definitely something to look into though!
Anonymous says
Did you remove the toilet and sink pedestals before painting, or did you just paint around them? I’ve been putting off replacing my floor tile because I really don’t want to have to remove and reinstall my toilet.
sandy says
The bathroom tile repaint is beautiful- I’m thinking about trying that in my bathroom. I have white tile and it looks dirty and stained in some places- I think you’re idea might work! Thanks for all the info too- really appreciate it!
Jody Merrill says
I guess you can paint wall tile using the same method? I wonder how the paint would hold up in a shower area?
Kris Jarrett says
Jody I’m assuming it would work on wall tile too but haven’t tried it. I’d be hesitant to do it in a shower though – being exposed to that much moisture I’m not sure it would hold up.
Melody Mitchell says
Thank you! Your floor looks beautiful. I have a basement floor I’ve been giving the stink eye. As soon as I etch out some time I’m going to tackle it.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! Good luck getting it done!
Ivory says
I got to do this to my son bathroom. Outstandingly gorgeous
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much!
Kathleen says
WOW! Wonderful transformation. I revamped our bathroom with subway tile etc. Even though the floor is in fine condition it no longer looks right with the new black, white and gray color scheme. You have definitely inspired me to paint floor tiles. I have been wanting to do it for a while now but until I read your post I was fearful. Not anymore….thank you.
I do wonder though, if painting them will hurt the resale value of the house any though. Thanks again.
Kris Jarrett says
So glad that you found it helpful Kathleen!
Diana Forbes says
Your bathroom looks great!! I am considering trying this in my kitchen but I have 2 dogs. Do you think it would hold up?
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Diana! My only experience doing it is in our bathroom and it’s held up great but our dog really doesn’t go in that room so I can’t say for sure. I would definitely put some type of polyurethane or other protective coating on it though. Good luck!
Chris H says
Looks great. How does the painted tile feel on your feet? I am afraid painted floor tile will feel rough to the tough.
Kris Jarrett says
Honestly I don’t feel like it’s the least bit rough! Since I sanded the tile well before painting and used a roller that gives a really smooth finish it really feels no different on my feet than typical tile!
Mark Sawyer says
I have ceramic tile floors in my bathroom that I dislike because of the color. I would like to paint the tile floors but am wondering if it is possible because of the style of my tiles. Each tile has an uneven pattern so they are not smooth like your tiles. Do you think it might still be possible for me to paint these tiles? Your bathroom looks great by the way!
Kris Jarrett says
Mark I can’t say for sure because I’ve never tried it with uneven tile but I wouldn’t think it would be a problem!
Marilyn says
Thank you for your detailed how to project. I have several tiles floors and thought to myself, “Could these be painted?” Until now, the experts I asked said no. You have given me inspiration to do it. The tile in my Nevada house has a shinier finish than your tile. Do you think that sanding will allow the paint to adhere?
Kris Jarrett says
Marilyn I’ve only done it in this one room so I can’t say for sure but I’m guessing that as long as you sand it well and use the primer I mentioned, you should be ok!
Wendy says
Your painted tile floors look fantastic! I’m inspired to start on my kitchen backsplash using your painting tips and techniques. I don’t know how well a painted tile backsplash will hold up long term, but a light color of paint will make a big impact in this dark kitchen. Thanks so much for sharing your home and talent!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Wendy! I actually have a friend whoo painted her backsplash and it turned out great! I’d just try to not go overboard with the amount of water it’s exposed to.