paint first or floors first?
Which Comes First: Painting or Installing New Floors?
Every year, homeowners across the United States spend over $6,000 improving their living spaces. Whether it’s small décor updates or major renovations, the right upgrades can make your home feel brand new.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to refresh your space is by repainting and installing new flooring. But if you do these projects in the wrong order, you could end up damaging your new surfaces. Cleaning oil-based paint off wood, tiles, or carpet is nearly impossible — and can cause permanent marks.
So which should come first: painting or new flooring? Let’s walk through the smart sequence for a clean, efficient remodel.
Step 1: Start With the Ceiling
Always begin from the top down. Any work done on the ceiling — like repainting or repairing — creates dust and debris that will fall onto your walls and floors. You’ll also need ladders to reach overhead areas, which can leave scratches or dents if your floors are already installed.
By tackling ceiling work first, you’ll protect the rest of your renovation and avoid unnecessary cleanup later. Once it’s done and fully dry, move on to the next phase.
Step 2: Remove Old Flooring and Trim
Next, strip away your old floors and any damaged trim. This part of the process can be messy, so it’s better to handle it before any painting. Kicking up dust or debris while removing old flooring could easily ruin fresh paint.
If you’ve already repainted your ceiling, give it enough time to dry before you start pulling up flooring materials. This is also a good opportunity to remove your wall trim for repair or repainting — you’ll reinstall it later once the new floors are in place for a cleaner, tighter fit.
Step 3: Prep the Walls Before Flooring Installation
Prepping your walls before laying down new floors can save time and prevent damage. Wall prep may include filling holes, sanding rough patches, or removing wallpaper — all tasks that can generate dust and debris.
Completing this step now ensures your walls are smooth and ready for painting later, without risking mess on your fresh flooring.
Step 4: Install the New Floors
Now comes the exciting part — installing your new floors. Do this before painting the walls. Flooring installation, especially with hardwood, often involves sanding, staining, or sealing, which can produce dust and fumes. It’s best to complete all of that before you apply new paint.
Once your floors are installed, reattach or replace your wall trim. This helps create a seamless look and makes touch-up painting around trim areas easier later on.
Step 5: Protect Floors and Paint the Walls
After your flooring and trim are secure, it’s time to paint the walls. But don’t skip floor protection! Carefully mask your floors using a plastic or cloth drop sheet and secure it with painter’s tape along the edges of the trim.
If you’re worried about damaging your new floor, consider hiring professional painters. They know exactly how to protect delicate flooring surfaces and will ensure your new paint job looks crisp and flawless.
The Smart Order for Home Remodeling
To sum it up:
Do ceiling work first.
Remove old flooring and trim.
Prep the walls.
Install new flooring.
Protect the floors and then paint.
Following this order helps you minimize mess, avoid damage, and create a professional-quality finish.
Ready to upgrade your space? Choosing the right flooring and high-quality floor paint will give your home a clean, polished, and long-lasting transformation.
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