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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Laurie says
This is amazing!!! How long did it take you I have three little ones so I can’t have the project take too long. Was it more than a day?
Kris Jarrett says
I can’t remember exact times but none of the steps are very time consuming and there is dry time between steps so it’s an easy project to do just an hour or so at a time!
Linda says
Love this and going to do this weekend. You did a beautiful job.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!!
Rachel says
I’m currently flipping a house and have been cringing at the fact of pulling up ugly green tiles! Cannot wait to use your painting alternative, it looks amazing!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad that you were inspired!!
Denise says
My tile is the orange sileto tile Spanish can I do the sanding and also paint this and the grout is cement will this work for me it’s a 1/2 bath and foyer ?
Kris Jarrett says
Denise I’m honestly not sure! I know that type of tile has lots of uneven surfaces and can sometimes flake so I’m not sure if it will work or not.
Ellen says
SIGH OF RELIEF… that this exists. thank you so much. This is my first time visiting your blog, wow is all I can say. Thank you for the very descriptive breakdown of each step. What a wonderful makeover you accomplished 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Ellen – I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Kim Valadez says
Hi! Love this bathroom.
Did you paint the wall tile or replace it?
We could be purchasing a home with pink tile on the floor and walls. ?
All the help would be awesome!
Thank you!
Kris Jarrett says
The wall tile was originally pink but the previous owners had it professionally glazed along with the pink tub! Congrats on your new home!
Stephanie Goldfarb says
Hey Kris! I’ve been researching painting the tile in our master. When I went to our benjamin moore showroom yesterday, he recommended that same bonder primer and the same brand “cabinet coat” or the benjamin moore advanced paint. He also said there was no need to poly over it for the same concerns you had.. if it got scratched, it would be hard to cover that. So I’m curious.. how is yours holding up with no poly?? I can’t WAIT to dive into this project!
Kris Jarrett says
It’s holding up really well! There’s just the beginning of a little sign of wear in the most trafficked area (it’s been over a year since we painted it) so I might clean it and roller a fresh coat. Even if I have to do that one hour touch up once a year, it’s well worth it for the money saved!
Robin says
Hi Kris,
Great instructions and great results in your bathroom. I love your modern take on classic and your ideas definitely inspire me. Curious about on update on how the painted tile is holding up? We recently purchased (a way more in need of fixing up than we thought) beach condo and I’m stuck with 80’s tile and horrible grout in the bedrooms … considering the paint approach, wondering what you think? Planning on some rugs in the bedrooms in the traffic patterns so thought this might save some $ while giving a beach look. Thanks for any suggestions
Kris Jarrett says
It’s held up beautifully!
Deb says
Hi Kris,
We bought a mid-century modern home 2 years ago when we moved back to St. Louis. It was built in the late 50’s (like me ) and has the sink as part of the master bedroom with the tub & toilet separated with a pocket door. The ceramic time floor was a hideous red. I saw your bathroom makeover and immediately started working. I’be done the first coat of paint – the color you used. It’s going to absolutely look great!
Thank you so much for your makeover step-by-step! So much cheaper than having the ceramic tile removed and redone!
You’re the best!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad you found it helpful and hope you love your new floor!
Deb says
Hi Kris,
Our floor looks great, but after a week of drying and not using it, the floor is still a bit sticky. My husband has a handicap and uses a cane. He walked on it yesterday and his cane left a round mark and his slippers left an impression – like when you walk on a really dusty floor. I took a clean washcloth and wiped down the floor and the marks came out.
How long does the floor need to dry? I’m concerned about putting down rugs or using it right now. Any advise would be appreciated.
Kris Jarrett says
Glad it turned out well! I did our floor right before we left on vacation so it was about a week before we put it to use – it wasn’t at all sticky. Drying time is going to depend on whether you used a protective top coat or not and also the humidity – If you live somewhere really humid that will extend dry time.
lauren l lauren alford design says
this is amazing, I never would have thought to paint tile. what a change!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Lauren!
Vickie says
Hi Kris,
I have same question as Ryan before me, what grit sandpaper did you use on the tile?
Your project looks great and can’t wait to start mine.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! I sanded the tiles I had with the crud on them with 80 grit, did the whole floor with 120 grit, and then finished off with a quick once-over with a fine 240 grit.
Denise Brook says
This looks amazing, SO creative!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!!
Michelle Anderson says
How has the paint held up on the tile?
Kris Jarrett says
It’s still in great shape!
Anonymous says
Thank you! – Great project -and does not cost too much! – I was looking at having my bathroom tiles reglazed … wonder how different the two processes are for upgrading the tiles.
Kris Jarrett says
Reglazing is likely going to be a bit more durable in the long-run but also a lot more expensive. It’s definitely a better option if you need to change the color of tile in an area exposed to water like your shower!
jill says
Your bathroom floor looks great, so much better than that original red one. A very good fix for a low cost (though a lot of prep). Years ago we bought a house that had a small white octagon tile in the bath that was interspersed with flower shapes (more octagons) that were maroon and pink in the center. I painted over these using Testor’s PLA model paint in black on the outer “petals” and grey in the center. For a small job this worked well as it had a tough finish that matched the gloss on the rest of the floor tile. We lived in the house several years and it held up perfectly. I’ve also seen the professionally done epoxy used on weird old colors of wall tiles that was very effective (though it can be pricey, it is still cheaper than removing tile set in concrete and mesh that was built to stay there forever). You certainly came out with a great fix for an older floor with the painted finish to match the wall stencil color. The final result of your bath re-do is a lovely, stylish room to be proud of.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! And glad to hear you had success with a few other methods too!
Claire says
Love it! Great detailed instructions too. Can you tell me how long it took you to do your floors?
Kris Jarrett says
There were several hours of drying time between coats but the total amount of time that I was actually working on them was only about four hours.