How To Paint Your Porch Floor

"I always allow the natural landscape to dictate design choices," says designer Chelsea Robinson of Chelsea Robinson Interiors in Nashville. "It's the first thing I'd consider when starting a project like this." An all-white porch can feel especially crisp and fresh. "If you're bringing in a lot of florals or you have a great garden, it allows that to pop. White also acts as a nice backdrop for the landscape, especially at the beach, places like Alys and Rosemary." But a darker floor color in a natural hue—a moody sage or forest green—can play against the landscape and provide a quiet reprieve from the outside world.

Have a little fun with your floors. Try a bold stripe or classic checkerboard for timeless appeal and an immediate infusion of character. "It doesn't have to be traditional black-and-white," Robinson says. "You could create your checkerboard with a pretty gray or green or tan." Pro tip: Paint the entire floor your base color first and let it completely dry before measuring and taping off your diamonds.

"Prep work is huge," Robinson says. "I think there's really more work involved in prepping than there is in the actual painting." Start off by giving your floors a bath—a power washer works especially well, here. After the scrubbing, scrape off any additional loose or peeling paint. Finally, sand down rough areas to create a smooth flat surface and give it a sweep to remove whatever debris might remain. Now, you're ready to paint. 

"If you go with a satin or a high gloss paint, [the floors] are a little bit easier to clean because they're slicker and easier to sweep or wipe down," Robinson says. And be sure to choose an exterior deck paint designed for horizontal rather than vertical surfaces like walls and trim.

Sandpaper, painter's tape, and a ruler. Check. Paint and grubby clothes. All set. But do you go brush or roller? Depending on the scale and scope of your project (and how much help you have!) a roller might be the way to go, but Robinson loves the patina of a brushed look. "It just feels more craftsman like," she says. We'd have to agree with her there.