How to Paint Kitchen Floor Tiles

So, you hate that outdated, old tile in your kitchen but don’t have enough time or money to replace the entire floor. You’ve found yourself asking how to paint tile floors in kitchen.

And can you paint floor tiles in the kitchen?

Is painting a kitchen floor a good idea?

I get it; you’re skeptical about painting a floor. But this is your solution if you’re desperate to update your tile on a budget. Painted floor tiles are a great way to give your tile new life and add a pop of color or pattern to your kitchen. 

Now that you feel confident about painting, going ahead, and painting your kitchen floor, let’s talk about how to do it right. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth and even application of paint. 

This diy project is so easy and affordable. You won’t be disappointed! So, let’s get to the good stuff. 

---

Just a friendly reminder: This tutorial and any opinions or recommendations are genuinely mine, but this is not a substitute for consulting a professional. I also use affiliate links to earn a commission.

---

Everything You Need to Know About How to Paint a Tile Floor

You can achieve great results and transform your kitchen floor without buying new tile. The best part about painting ceramic floor tiles is that these relatively simple steps will provide great results. 

Your painted tiles will also last much longer than you think, especially if you take your time and follow a few important steps. Here is a quick summary of how to paint your kitchen floor tiles:

• To begin with, make sure to thoroughly clean and sand your tiles.
• Secondly, choose a high-quality primer and paint.
• Finally, apply the paint in thin, even coats, allowing each coat to dry completely before adding another. 

 I love it when diy projects completely change a room with the simplest steps, and painting your kitchen floor is one of those projects. Keep reading because I will go into more detail about these steps in the painting floor process.

Video Tutorial on How to Paint Tile Floors

Step 1: Repair Any Damaged Floor Tiles

To begin, it’s super important to inspect your outdated floor tile for any damage. Although your tiles may appear in good condition, get down and take a closer look. Those tiny cracks or chips need repair before painting. 

This will ensure a smooth surface and even for the paint to adhere to. It will also help your painted tiles last because painting over cracks and chips could lead to things pealing off more easily. 

Step 2: Clean Your Old Tile Floors

The next most important step to painting kitchen tile floors is thoroughly cleaning them. Before applying a coat of paint, you’ll need to deep clean the entire floor and grout lines to get that layer of grime off the tile. 

Think about it, all those years of cooking grease splatter and crumbs are squashed into those tiles. If you paint over that, the paint is not actually on the tile. It’s over the grime, which leads to your paint easily peeling off. 

Using an abrasive cleaner will ensure your floors are ready for paint. Start by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove loose dirt or debris. Then, use Krud Kutter and a scrub brush to loosen up grease and grime.

You may need to add warm water and scrub any stubborn stuck-on spots. Rinse the floor with clean water and allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: Sand 

To prepare your kitchen floor tiles for painting, the third step is to sand them. The purpose is to rough up the existing finish on the tiles because this gives the paint something to grab onto. Don’t skip this step!

Use fine-grit sandpaper and sand in a circular motion until the surface is smooth and even. To speed things up you can use an orbital sander.

Remember, you’re going for roughed-up, not sanding off the entire original finish. Be sure to clean up any sanding dust by wiping down the floor before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Prep the Space with Painter’s Tape

The next step is to properly prepare the space for painting by using painter’s tape to protect them from paint splatters. Areas like around the baseboards and kitchen cabinet bases are places you want to tape to make sure you have a straight paint line and no mess on these spots. 

Step 5: Prime Your Old Tile

Before paint comes primer. And not just any primer, a good one that will grip and stick to your tile. Make sure to choose a primer specifically designed for use on tiles, such as Zinsser, Kilz, or Gripper. 

These are the best because they have the best adhesion (aka stickiness) to a surface like a tile. Due to tiles’ material, painting it differs significantly from painting a wall. This is because tile is slippery, whereas drywall or wood is porous and soak in the paint.

Once you have the right primer, you’ll need a small foam roller for the tiles and a paint brush to get into the grout lines. Apply the base coat in thin, even coats. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying a second coat.

Step 6: Painting Kitchen Floor Tiles

Finally, you’re ready to paint. You’ve repaired, cleaned, sanded, primed, and now for the most significant transformation, paint. Select a paint color and get to the part where the magic really happens!

Again, take your small roller, and apply the paint in thin coats using your brush to ensure the paint gets into the grout lines.

You’ll need to apply a second coat, just like with any other painting project. Don’t even think about just using a thicker first coat. In the long run, this will only lead to an uneven finish and a much less durable paint finish. 

Thinner coats give you the smoothest finish, total coverage, and most durable surface.

Stenciling Floor Tiles

Adding a pattern and element of style and fun to your kitchen is super easy when painting the floors. Once your base layer is on, you can add a stencil design! You can create a unique and personalized look with various stencil patterns available. 

The added bonus of stenciling is you can add any pop of color. Plus, you’re updating your kitchen without the hassle and expense of replacing your flooring.

Step 7: Sealing Painted Floor Tiles

You’ve put in all the time and effort to totally transform your kitchen floors with paint. So, doing everything you can to protect your results and make them last is a high priority. Considering a clear top coat to protect the paint job is a good idea, especially in high-traffic areas.

Although sealing and protecting your painted tile floors seems like a no-brainer, you do have to know that most protective finishes will slightly alter the look in a few ways. 

• First, it will most likely darken your color, and although not much, it will still be darker than it is without the top coat.
• Next, even if you go with a matte finish, there will still be an added sheen or glossiness that isn’t there with just paint (unless you used Satin finish or High Gloss paint). 

In every project I do, I come to this point where I am torn to seal or not to seal. Honestly, for me, it depends on the project. If the surface is exposed to things like water or is heavily used, then I tend to apply a top coat.

But, if the surface is something like a shelf or dresser drawer front, then I won’t because these areas have much lower chances of getting wet and don’t have a lot of friction running across their surface.

The Best Kind of Paint for Painting Tile Floors

Choosing the best floor tile paint is a little less important than the quality of your primer. Still, to ensure durability and longevity, I suggest these: 

Enamel Paint: this can withstand high-traffic areas and resist chipping and peeling. However, it is incredibly finicky to apply and has a glossy finish.

Floor Paint: this is easy to apply and designed to prevent scuffing, cracking, or peeling.

Porch and Patio Paint: this has all the benefits of floor paint and sometimes will even have an added bonus of anti-slip.

Regardless of which paint you go with, you’re sure to find good paint for kitchen floor tiles between what Home Depot and Lowes have available. 

Does Painted Tile Floors in the Kitchen Last?

One of the most frequent concerns about painting floor tiles in the kitchen is how long this will last. And the answer is yes, if you’ve taken your time and followed these steps, that is! Remember, each task in this process is essential, so take your time every step of the way.

How Long Do Painted Floor Tiles Last?

The longevity of painted floors largely depends on the amount of foot traffic and your quality of work. High-traffic areas will naturally experience more wear and tear, which can cause the paint to chip or fade over time. 

However, with careful attention to every step in the painting floor tiles process and a good primer, paint, and proper maintenance, painted floors can last several years before being repainted. 

With that said, the odds are good you will have minor deficiencies in your floor, so keep a small amount of paint on hand to quickly take care of any necessary touch-ups.

---

Painting tile is a great option if you’re looking for a long-term solution to update your outdated ceramic tile kitchen floor. In this guide, I gave you all the steps you need to take to ensure your painted floors last. I’ve also given you the best primer and paint options for this diy project. 

The coolest part is now that you’ve mastered this process, you can apply the same steps to your bathroom floors and even wall tiles! I hope I’ve answered all your questions about how to paint tile floors in kitchen. And I can’t wait to hear all about your results! Leave me a comment sharing your success.

---

Hey Girl!

---

---

---