How to Decorate Cement Floors

Paint concrete floors for a new design.

One of the easiest ways to decorate cement floors is through the use of paint. Cement floors can be painted with a base coat of paint, then decorated with free-hand painted designs or decorated with pre-cut stencils. Either way, a cement floor can be re-invigorated and made to look even better than new when you apply a coat of fresh paint. Most of the supplies for this project are available at your local home improvement store.

Things You'll Need

• Sponge mop
• Bucket
• Water
• Liquid floor cleaner detergent
• Concrete primer paint
• Paint rollers
• Paint in two complementary colors
• Small paint brushes
• Pencil
• Painter's tape
• Stencils
• Polyurethane sealer

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with warm water. Add about 1/2 cup of liquid floor cleaner. Mop the floor to remove any dirt and dust. Rinse with clean water. Allow to dry completely.

2. Apply concrete primer paint to the floor with a paint roller. Remember to paint out from the furthest point to avoid painting yourself in a corner. Allow the primer to dry completely.

3. Apply a base coat of paint to the concrete floor using the paint roller. Let dry completely. This paint coat will be the dominant or primary color in the room. Keep this in mind when picking out your paint colors.

4. Create some free-hand designs with a pencil on the concrete. Tape off the design with painter's tape. Paint the design with small brushes, staying inside the lines of the painter's tape. This will be the second paint color you have chosen, and will be considered the secondary color. Allow to dry, then remove the painter's tape. Alternatively, tape pre-cut stencil designs on the floor; tape down with painter's tape and paint in the design, either with a small paint brush or roller. Again, use the secondary color. Allow to dry completely before removing the stencil or the tape.

5. Apply one coat of clear polyurethane sealer to the floor. Allow to dry completely. Apply another coat if desired. The more polyurethane sealer applied to the floor, the more protected it will be.

Tips & Warnings

• Open a window and work in a well-ventilated area. Run a fan if possible to clear the air.

References

• The Complete Guide to Decorating and Painting; Black and Decker; Creative Publishing;2006.