How to Paint Over Linoleum Floors

Buying a home is a huge purchase and there's always a long list of projects to take on (and of course, a limited budget), so what can you do about ugly linoleum floors? The easiest and most cost-effective way to update this eyesore is to paint over them. Yes, you can paint over linoleum! Plus, you can do it yourself – another way you'll be keeping costs down.

What You’ll Need To Paint Linoleum Floors

• Cleaning supplies
• Brush, rollers, and painter’s tape
• Sander
• ECOS Universal Primer
• ECOS Floor Paint

Step-By-Step Guide For Painting Your Floors

Ready to tackle this project? Here’s how to paint your floors!

#1 Deep Clean the Floors

You need to clean the flooring thoroughly to remove dirt and grease or your primer will not bond correctly. Scrub the floor multiple times if necessary and leave it overnight to dry.

#2 Sand and Scuff the Surface

Use medium to light grit sandpaper (180-220) to take off any surface gloss and rough up the surface, so the primer will bond correctly. You can use an electric palm sander, or do it by hand. Wear a high-quality dust mask and make sure you get every inch of the entire surface. Vacuum with a shop vac or sweep and then wipe the floor thoroughly to pick up all the dust. Let this dry for a while – depending on how wet you got it wiping it off. If you can run your finger over the flooring and see no dust and also feel that it is entirely dry, then you are ready to prime.

#3 Protect the Walls and Cabinets

Use painter's tape where the floor meets walls, cabinets, etc. This makes it MUCH easier to paint all the way to the edge with a nice clean line.

#4 Prime the Surface

You need a very high-quality primer to paint flooring like this - we don't recommend your average latex wall primer, which is intended more for sealing drywall than taking the abuse that a floor will undergo. A great product to use is ECOS Paints Universal Primer. This primer bonds securely to a wide variety of surfaces and it is zero VOC*. Apply the primer using a brush or roller as you would paint any surface. Do not apply too heavily thinking it will increase its effectiveness! Just a light, even coat will do. When this is dry, see if there are any grease or water stains showing through. If there are, you should wait eight hours and apply another coat. Let it dry for at least eight hours before painting.

#5 Paint the Floors

Using a paint designed specifically for flooring will give you the best, long-lasting finish. ECOS Paints’ Interior Floor Paint is an excellent product for this project because it’s one of the highest quality floor paints you can buy (we use them on our warehouse floors, so we know they can take a real beating!).

With most other floor paints, you should wear a respirator while applying – and you can expect to smell it off-gassing for a long time after it’s dry. ECOS Paints have no polyurethane odor** and have zero VOCs, so you can paint your floors without worrying about how it’s affecting the air that you breathe.

Whatever paint you end up using you should apply three coats with a synthetic brush (for the edges) and a high-quality roller. A ⅜ inch nap will be best as you don’t want your coats to be too thick. Apply three coats of our ECOS Floor Paint in your desired sheen and color, allowing at least 8 hours between coats. The floor can have light traffic after the final coat has dried, but a full cure of the film takes 10-15 days.

TIPS:

• Make sure you buy extra paint to have on hand for touch-ups. Even if you know the exact color, sometimes batches are slightly different in hue. To ensure a consistent, professional look, your touch-up paint should be from the original paint batch.
• Start painting in the corner furthest from the door and continue in a way that leaves you at the door (and not trapped in a corner) at the end.

Why Paint Over Linoleum Floors Instead of Replacing Them?

Painting over linoleum floors is a budget-friendly, eco-conscious alternative to replacing them. It allows you to refresh outdated or unattractive flooring without the hassle and cost of demolition and new materials. This DIY approach is perfect for homeowners and renters looking to personalize their space with custom colors or patterns, often in just a weekend. Plus, painting reduces landfill waste, making it a more sustainable choice. With the right prep and products, painted linoleum can be both beautiful and durable.

Related Read: How to Paint Your Floors the Right Way

Freshen Your Floors With ECOS Paints

With the right prep and high-quality products, you can achieve a durable, beautiful finish that transforms your room in little more than a weekend. Ready to get started?

Explore ECOS Paints' floor paint options, get inspired by our Pinterest board, and don’t forget to share your results—we love seeing your DIY transformations!

*Zero VOC - *Conforms to CDPH 01350 (VOC emissions test taken at 11, 12, & 14 days for classroom and office use).

**No Polyurethane Odor - Polyurethane can cause headaches, nausea and respiratory issues. Conforms to ASTM E544 & ASTM MNL13