A simple way to add some cheer to a basement, storage room, laundry room, or other functional space is by painting or stenciling the cement floor. Exposed cement floors in these spaces usually can't be covered with any type of rug or carpeting, but you can be creative with some bold colors and stencil designs and create an attractive space. Painting and stenciling are budget-friendly DIY projects and can be a great way to update your living area.
Here are five tips for painting or stenciling a cement floor:
1. Use paint designed for cement surfaces. Walk into any DIY store and you'll find dozens of different types and shades of interior paint. Unfortunately, you won't be able to use this on cement. Make sure you're picking up paint that's designed specifically for cement floors.
2. Make sure the floor is completely dry. You can't have any puddles of water or moisture of any kind on your floor. Run a dehumidifier or fan in the space for a few days to make sure the floor is completely dry and primed for painting.
2. Use a good primer to prepare the area. You will need to cover the cement floor with a high-quality, oil-based primer and leave it to dry for at least 24 hours (unless otherwise noted on the product). The primer will act as a smooth coating to protect the floor and also to ensure an even paint application. Even if you are just stenciling a design directly on the floor, you'll need a primer to act as a barrier between the cement and the paint.
3. Consider painting a border. If you're stenciling a design over the entire surface of the floor or painting the floor in contrasting colors, consider painting a border a few inches away from the edge of the wall to create a designer-inspired look. You can do this easily by taping off the border design and painting over this area with a base color.
4. Use a good lambswool roller. If you are painting larger areas of the cement floor with a single color or the entire floor, use a high-quality lambswool roller to spread the paint as evenly as possible. Use a wider roller for larger areas.
5. Protect your work of art with a urethane coating. If you want a glossy and slick finish, cover the entire area with a non-yellowing urethane product. This adds an extra layer of protection to the floor and helps to create a much more professional-looking finish. Remember you will need to wait a few days for the paint or stenciled design to dry completely before applying the coating.
Sources:
LovelyEtc.com - Amazing Painted Floors: A How-To
Apartment Therapy - 10 Stenciled & Painted DIY Floors That Make It Work!
