DIY Network

Painted Linoleum Floor Paint a one-of-a-kind linoleum floor. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-145

You can turn any linoleum floor into a work of art under your feet with this simple project from B. Original host Michele Beschen.

How? By custom painting the back of a large linoleum remnant and installing it right over the old floor. It's a great way to perk up a hum-drum room—or to cover up a damaged or out-of-date floor. And Michele Beschen's how-to makes it easy.

It's easy to go from boring...

to beautiful with Michele Beschen!

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Materials:

linoleum remnant to cover area
kraft paper or newspaper
masking tape
scissors
measuring tape
utility knife
double-sided carpet tape
primer
paint
polyurethane
paint brushes, trays, buckets
hammer
threshold hardware

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Michele Beschen painted her walls to match the new floor—see where your creativity leads you.

• Measure the room where you want to install your custom-painted floor and purchase a linoleum remnant larger than those dimensions. Flooring stores typically have larger remnants. Don't worry about the pattern on the linoleum—you'll be painting on the back. But do check the back to make sure it's in good shape, without any cracks or gouges.

• Use kraft paper or newspaper to create a template of the floor you're covering with your project (figure A). Be sure to cut around any fixtures in the room; Michele Beschen recommends using masking tape around any curved areas. Also, write directly on the template any directions you think you'll need, like the location of windows or doors.

  Note: If the room you're working on has a threshold, allow for extra linoleum so you can run the seam under the threshold. Make sure your template covers the entire area—you don't want your finished piece to come up short.

• Tape your template to the back side of your linoleum remnant and trace it (figure B).

• Using a utility knife or other sharp cutting blade, cut your remnant about 1/8" outside the template (figure C). You can always trim the linoleum when you install, but you can't "un-cut" it.

• Remove your template and prime the back of the linoleum with a stain-blocking primer.

• Once the primer is dry, paint the linoleum however you like (figure D).

• After the paint is dry, brush on three coats of polyurethane. Let each coat dry completely before applying the next one.

• Remove the threshold from your project room, adhere double-stick tape in the corners and install the finished piece. Tuck excess linoleum under baseboards if possible; otherwise, trim with your utility knife.

• Replace the threshold and any other trim you removed for the installation.

Now your home shows your creativity right down to the ground!