Wood adds a warm, inviting quality to any room (and wears like iron!). Here are some floor makeovers that can be done on a weekend, easy cleaning tips, and other info to keep your wood floor (or floors) looking its best.

To give a textural, basket-weave effect to an old floor, lightly sand it, then wipe clean with a tack cloth. Next, coat the floor with one layer of latex paint; let dry. Then, dip a regular broom into a mixture of one part latex accent-color paint and one part water. Sweep excess onto cardboard, turn onto the floor in one direction; let dry. Sweep paint in opposite direction; let dry. Use store-bought stencils for extra detail, if wanted. Finish with a few coats of polyurethane.

To embellish a floor by natural stamping with a random fallen-leaf pattern, sand the area to be stamped with fine sandpaper. Wipe clean with a tack cloth. Apply a thin layer of paint to the leaf. Place the leaf paint-side down on the floor; cover with wax paper. Use a roller to transfer the design. Lift the paper and leaf; let dry.

Make a new floor look like a classic one with the antique effect: Lightly sand floor and tack clean. Apply 2-3 coats of latex paint (follow the can’s directions), changing the color for each coat you apply. Sand surface with medium-grit sandpaper. Be sure to sand more vigorously areas to penetrate layers and create a surface that is realistically worn and uneven. Distress your wood floor further by pounding on it randomly with a hammer and chisel. Sand the floor lightly to smooth. Apply 2-3 coats of satin-finish polyurethane.

The first rule for cleaning a wood floor is to avoid using water unless absolutely necessary. Dust or vacuum your wood floor regularly to prevent dirt and dust buildup. Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe up sticky spills immediately. For heavily soiled floors, make a solution of one-fourth cup white vinegar to 1-quart warm water. Dip the mop into the solution and clean one small area at a time. Buff dry. To remove stubborn stains, use a bit of silver polish or a cloth dampened with ammonia.

Additional Info

Squeaks are caused by wood rubbing wood. Try lubricating the floorboards with furniture wax or liquid soap.

Overfill Chips, Dents, and Gouges with wood putty. Let dry. Sand smooth. Use a furniture-repair crayon or shoe polish to tint the wood putty to match the color of the floor.

Types of Wood Flooring and Color Finishing Plank or Strip-These are solid or laminated boards installed in parallel rows. The wood is generally one-half to three-fourths thick with board widths ranging from one and one-half to 8″. Look for boards that have been quality marked “select and better.” Avoid lower “common” grades.

Parquet-Flooring installed to create a pattern. It’s usually sold in 12″ squares. Check for even coloration. Wood pieces should fit together snugly and securely.

Inlaid-These are intricate patterns cut and installed as part of a new floor plan-usually in the form of borders or medallions.

Natural Stain is a translucent finish, usually in shades of tan or brown, that enhances the natural color of the wood.

Colored Stain-It’s a transparent finish that gives wood flooring a hint of red, blue, green, etc., without hiding the natural grain.

Paint-A semi-transparent to opaque finish that allows you to create personalized effects like a basket weave, diamond pattern, or a special stamped design.

A Simple Check is the classic two-toned checkerboard pattern that goes with most decors from country to contemporary.

Framed Check is a pattern that plays with scale, using a combination of big and small squares.

A Twist Check (or Diagonal Design)-When checks are turned on their sides, a diamond pattern emerges.