Painted Floors Will be Everywhere in 2026

Last year, the ceiling took center stage. Interior designers experimented anew with this surface, washing it in plush plums, rosy reds, and other daring, statement-making shades. This newfound “fifth wall” took on a whole new identity—now, it’s time for the “sixth wall” to have its big moment.

This newfound “wall” refers to the floor, a space that has long felt stylistically stale. “Very often people put flooring at the bottom of the list when designing an interior,” says Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow & Ball. “But that shouldn’t be the case. Painted floors are incredibly cost effective and totally transformative, either as a statement piece, a dramatic burst, or an anchoring detail.”

The issue that many people run into with floors, however, is choosing the right paint—not just in terms of color but also durability. Most paints won’t hold up in this environment due to the daily wear and tear. Fortunately, Farrow & Ball has just unveiled a new finish that’s perfect for floors: Flat Eggshell.

Flat Eggshell is a lower sheen paint, but if you want something a bit more glossy, the brand’s Modern Eggshell finish will also work well on floors. Since these paints are so durable, they can even protect your floor. They’re also very washable, so cleanups will be much easier.

Painting the sixth wall may not come naturally to everyone, however—especially if you’ve never done it before. Below, a few different approaches that you can try.

Neutrals

Using a single neutral hue on your floors is a great place to start, particularly if you’re a bit wary of diving headfirst into color. It “creates a seamless flow and a grounding foundation,” says Studholme. “You can take this further by bringing the same color onto the walls, adding a fantastic sense of calm, and making the room feel bigger.”

Keep in mind, however, that floor colors will always look lighter than whatever is on the walls.

Light and Bright

Natural light is an all-important feature in any home, and a painted floor is a great way to amplify it. Choosing a lighter hue “will bounce the light back onto the walls,” says Studholme. She recommends Modern Eggshell, in particular, for its higher level of shine.

Stripes

Who doesn’t love stripes? You can add your own to the floor by painting them on, adding “a burst of fun and fabulous sense of whimsy to a room,” notes Studholme. “It works wonderfully in place of a rug and adds a graphic foundation with plenty of personality.”

Checkerboard

If you want to go a bit more bold in your approach, then try painting a checkerboard pattern. “[It] somehow always has a friendly feel, no matter which colors you choose,” says Studholme. “And it’s much easier to achieve than you might imagine!”

Faux Feature

Missing a runner? Use a deep red color and paint one on. Need an area rug for the living room? There’s a green paint for that. “These additions can be easily refreshed and made bigger or smaller with just a couple of brushstrokes,” Studholme adds.