After spending countless hours sanding, stripping, and battling my stubborn floors, I realized I just couldn’t save them. It was clear I needed a new approach, so I decided it was the perfect chance to try a project I’d always wanted to—painted floors!

Today, I’m sharing how to hand-paint a checkered pattern on your wood floors without the hassle of tape—no more endless measuring, sticky residue, or time-consuming taping and re-taping!

I’ll walk you through the exact steps I used to paint perfect squares so you can tackle this project yourself.

The No-Tape Technique for a Checkered Painted Floor

In my previous post on the design plans for my pre-teen’s room, I shared just how excited I was to dive into this DIY project. If you missed it, you can catch up on all the details and inspiration behind this transformation right here: Designing a Preteen Boy’s Bedroom.

What made this project so easy—and actually kind of fun—was knowing it was just a temporary fix since the end goal is to carpet the upstairs. But who knows, if I end up loving these painted floors, that plan might change!

With this in mind, I didn’t stress about getting it “right” or fixate on every detail. I actually found the process quite therapeutic. Who knew painting straight lines could be so satisfying?!

Now that you’ve got the backstory, let’s dive into the steps so you can start on your own checkered painted floor.

Step 1: Grab Your Supplies

All the supplies you’ll need are linked right here, so you can easily add everything to your cart and get right into your project!

Step 2: Preparing to Paint Wood Floors

To prep the floors for paint, I first tried to remove the clumps of shellac left behind by the sander. Even after applying stripper, they wouldn’t budge. I wasn’t about to waste another penny or second trying to get these floors perfect, so I decided to move on.

It’s unlikely you’ll have this issue, but I always find it helpful to know that other DIYers run into problems too—just keeping it real! 

The key to primer sticking and your paint job looking its best is starting with a clean surface. I used my fav little shop vac to remove any leftover drywall dust, then finished up with a thorough sweeping and a quick wipe-down with my go-to project rags.

Step 3: Priming Wood Floors

Since my wood floors were in such rough shape, I had to paint the entire floor. If you’re leaving some of the wood exposed, you can skip the priming and base painting steps and jump straight to creating your pattern in step four!

I used Zinsser 123 for this project—it’s my go-to primer because it adheres well to shellac and covers those stubborn wood tannins. This is definitely the primer you want.

I started by applying the first coat of primer, beginning at the back of the room and working my way out—just make sure you don’t box yourself in! You might still see some wood tannins showing through (shown in the image above), but don’t worry; the second coat will cover those up.

Once the first coat is completely dry (usually a couple of hours), go back and apply the second coat. Pro tip: wear clean socks to avoid leaving footprints or tracking in dust!

Step 4: Painting the Base Color

To keep things simple and cohesive, I chose Bahr Natural White as the base color for my floors because it matches the walls and ceiling. I started at the back of the room and worked my way out, just like with the primer. Let the first coat dry completely—usually a couple of hours—then go ahead and apply a second coat.

For your project, start by painting the entire floor in the lighter of your two colors. So, if you’re using gray and black, go with the gray first. It’s much easier to add the darker color over a lighter base when you’re creating your checkered pattern.

Step 5: Creating the Checkered Pattern

Here’s the thing: Tape and I don’t get along. I always end up frustrated with measuring, applying, and adjusting, only to face issues like paint bleeding underneath or peeling off with the tape. 

So for this project, I bypassed all that hassle with a simple template method. This technique eliminated the need for tape, saving me time and letting me dive straight into the fun part—painting!

I started by making a template from a scrap board cut to 15 x 15 inches. If you don’t have a scrap board, you can also use thick paperboard from the Dollar Store. This simple template method made the project way smoother and a lot more fun—no tape mess or frustration! 

Here’s how I used it:

Using The Template Technique

1. Find the Center: I first located the center of the room and marked it. This is where I started my pattern.
2. Place the Template: I placed the top edge of the template square at this center point.
3. Trace and Move: I traced around the template with a pencil to outline the first square. After outlining, I moved the template to the next position, making sure to match up the edges and points with the previously drawn squares. I lined up the template by aligning the corners of the new square with the corners of the existing squares to keep everything in line.
4. Repeat: I continued this process, moving the template across the room and tracing each square until the entire floor was mapped out.
5. ​​Edges and Corners: When reaching an edge or corner, I aligned the template’s edge with the wall and drew straight lines to complete the pattern. This approach kept the checkered design consistent throughout the room without needing another template.

Step 6: Hand Painting a Checkered Pattern

Before you start painting, double-check that each square actually needs paint. I spread the work over two days to give my back a break, and applying the second coat went much faster.

To get clean, sharp lines on the squares, here’s what I did:

Start with a small foam brush and a very little amount of paint. Use this brush to carefully paint the corners of each square. 

Then, switch to a short-angle brush with a bit more paint. Start at the top of each square and gently follow the pencil lines down to the bottom, making sure to stay within the lines.

Repeat this on all sides of each square before filling in the middle. It’s okay if some of the pencil lines show through after painting. 

Don’t stress about how long it’s taking—once you find your rhythm, the project will start to move more quickly. Honestly, I found painting the straight lines incredibly satisfying!

Step 7: Apply a Second Coat

To get my checkered pattern looking its best, I applied a second coat of the beige paint. After the first coat dried, I went over the squares again to deepen the color and cover any uneven spots.

It’s a quick step that makes everything look even better! Don’t be lazy—make sure you do this!

Step 8: Finishing Touches

I absolutely love how the floor turned out! It’s amazing what a dramatic transformation you can achieve in such a short amount of time. This project truly saved these floors, giving them a fresh, new look that completely changes the feel of the room.

As for durability, I did not add a protective top. Since this is a temporary fix, I’ll keep you posted on how it holds up over time.

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I’m so close to wrapping up this entire room! With the checkered floor complete, it’s the best feeling to see this vision starting to come together.

Join my list here so you don’t miss this exciting before-and-after transformation—I’m just as excited as you to see how it all turns out!

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If you’re thinking about trying your own DIY painted floor project, go for it! This project was easy, satisfying, and something you can easily tackle in a weekend.

The simple makeover has made the space so much more enjoyable to live in. It’s proof that even a quick, temporary solution can make a big difference in how you feel about your home. 

Hey Girl!

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