Original Brown Paper Floor Tutorial: A DIY Alternative to Wood Floors
Welcome to one of our most popular DIY’s at AOC! This unique brown paper floor technique has been pinned and viewed on YouTube more than a million times and was even featured in an issue of Cottages and Bungalows! It’s a doable DIY that anyone can do and results in a leather-look flooring that lasts a surprisingly long time.
Below you’ll find a bit more about the technique, the video tutorial we made that shows all the steps needed to create this floor using brown kraft paper and glue, and a supplies list.
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UPDATE: Check out the definitive FAQ for the Paper Floor Technique where we answer all the many questions we get about this cool brown paper floor solution to nasty carpet!
UPDATE #2: See our Brown Paper Floor Follow Up: How Do They Look 4 Years Later? video.
Wondering what the heck a paper floor is and if it’s really doable? It is a really cool, unique flooring method (which is basically decoupage) that I first created in our first house, a 1940 Portland bungalow.
We applied it to the stairs going up to a half story and all the floors in the upstairs, both an office and guest room-studio. I thought it would be temporary, but we were shocked how well it lasted, even on the stairs, and how much we liked it. We had no problem selling the house 5 years after laying for flooring – and the new owners thought it was really cool!
After moving to our 1980’s ranch, we knew we’d use the floor again to get rid of the old carpet, which we did for both our son’s room makeover and our daughter’s recent room makeover.
It’s been such a great alternative to expensive wood floors, creating a cool leather look while still giving the feel (decor wise) and easy upkeep of wood.
What’s wrong with carpet?
Brian and I are unanimous in our love of wood flooring and our hatred disgust dislike of carpet. Bear with me a minute as I get on a little soap box about wall-to-wall carpet.
Carpet is:
- expensive
- not an easy DIY project (more money for labor)
- hard to clean (pets? children?…hello?)
- “filter is full after 5 years” (exact quote from a carpet professional- translation: there’s no amount of cleaning that’s going to get it clean)
- dusty, dirty edges even with regular vacuuming
- an unchangeable color
- not great for certain allergies
- and, since we moved rurally, shows all of the dirt, mud and other dark things that routinely come in on people’s shoes…
OK, I’m down from the box and obviously you can guess where we stand. And while I know plenty of people who love their wall-to-wall, this video tutorial is for those like us who’d like to get rid of it, either because you can’t afford new or because you, too, don’t like carpet.
Needless to say, we are slowly getting rid of all the carpet that came in our ranch-turned-cottage and we are down to two rooms left: the master bedroom and the sunken living room. They will probably get some sort of wood, but for the kid’s rooms, we used this decoupage torn-paper technique we’re sharing with you that we’d used in our Portland bungalow with great success.
Wait? Really, a paper floor?
Yes! We love the doable DIY aspect of this as well as the look and the cost. It is easy, inexpensive and creates a (sort of) leather-look with minimal effort.
Does it last?
It’s coated with water based polyurethane so it has worn really well in the rooms we’ve used it, although I wouldn’t recommend it for high traffic areas.
How much does it cost?
How inexpensive is it? A 12′ x 11′ room cost just $65 total, or about .50 a square foot, which is actually amazing for new flooring.
Brown Paper Floor
Here’s what it looks like in our daughter’s room:
I love seeing this from the hallway now instead of the brown, stained carpeting. It looks a lot airier, too, and makes the room seem bigger.
Now we can get any color of carpeting we like and when it’s old and stained we can just buy a new one (and since this was just $25, it’s not a huge investment).
Here you can better see what the floor looks like. The pieces of torn kraft paper all came from the same roll, but they dry light and dark (I don’t know why), which I think creates a more interesting look than if it was all one color.
You can also see more of the finished floor in this follow up video.
Brown Paper Floor Tutorial Video
Interested in replicating this flooring option in your house? This tutorial video shows you all the steps and tools you’ll need, plus I’ve created a list of tools and supplies after the video:
Brown Paper Floor Supplies
Floor Preparation
- Wood filler for any gaps or holes in subfloor.Ā
- Sanding paper for rough areas and edges.
Applying The Paper
Brown “Builder’s Paper” – the 140-foot roll covered a 12×11′ bedroom and a 11×11′ for us:
- Amazon: Easy Mask 35-inch x 140-feet Brown Builders PaperĀ
- Home Depot (where we get ours): Trimaco Easy Mask 2.9-ft x 140-ft Builder’s Paper
Gallon Size Glue – one gallon covers a 11’x11′ or 12′ room:
Other Tools:
- Small bucket and stir stick
- 3-inch paint brush
- scissors
- trash can
- container to hold water
Optional Staining
This step isn’t in the video, but would happen after the glue dries but before you apply the polyurethane. See FAQs for more on staining; note that I don’t recommend oil based stains like the examples since everything else is water based:
Water based stain in a color you’d like. Here are two options:
Application:
- 9-inch pad applicator (to work with an extension pole)
- For edges use disposable chip brushes or 2-inch foam brushes
- Disposable glovesĀ
Polyurethane Coating The Paper Floor
Floor Grade Water Based Polyurethane – 1 gallon for a 10×10′ to 10×12′ room will give about 5 coats:
- Amazon: Minwax Polycrylic Water-Based Protective Clear Finish, Satin, or Varathane brand for floors in a single pack
- Home Depot: Varathane Satin Water-Based Floor Polyurethane (pack of 2)
To apply poly with a brush like I show in the video:
- 4-inch brush (attached with duct tape to a long PVC pipe pole)
To apply poly with a painter pad on a pole:
To apply poly with a roller (use only foam to minimize shedding and bubbles – these weren’t available when I first did the floors):
- 9-inch foam roller (attach to a roller with an extension pole)
- Extension Pole
Paper Floor Testimonials
Kee Kee 1/2019
Anyway, thank you sooooo much for sharing this flooring with the world. I am absolutely in love with the look, low maintenance, durability, and cleanliness of it. When we pulled up the Lumber Liquidators laminate flooring, I was absolutely disgusted by the what was underneath. The mildew and whatnot that was able to get through the crevices and fester. Yuck. The seamlessness of this flooring means I never have to worry about that. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Dee 5/2019
I did this technique about 13 years ago in a bathroom – still holding up Havenāt even needed to repoly. Insane
I added stain to my glue mix and I also did over vinyl . No problems . I did small pieces of paper , crinkled . Love It 13years!!! poly poly poly poly ! It looks amazing! And it is a heavily traffic area – our laundry in there also. Simply amazing.
Please let us know if you use the technique- we’d love to hear (and see!) how it turned out for you!
This tutorial has been updated – it was originally published in August of 2010.
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I wonder if you used wood grain paper (saw some at paper mart that comes in 100′ rolls)and cut it into rectangle strips to create a wood plank look? Also after seeing your tutorial I did some research and noticed that some people who have done this don’t use glue at all and just use the poly for the whole thing. Have you tried that? Also can you do this over a fake wood vinyl floor?
Hmmm…I’ve never seen paper like that. I think as long as it isn’t too “fake looking.” Also, the paper develops crushed-type marks with this method, so…?
Yes, I’ve read that people have by-passed the glue and just use the poly (I guess it really helps when using it over cement) but there’s one reason I don’t: cost. The glue is a LOT cheaper than the poly. š Your choice.
I’ve only tried this on subfloors. My advice is to try a test area (or piece if you have leftover pieces somewhere) on anything that’s not plywood/particle board so you can see what it does.
This looks awesome and the video is great!! I was thinking of doing this with white paper, maybe adding a little stain to the glue..
Yes! I’ve just heard from a reader who used the stain in the glue and they said they really liked how it turned out. It was with brown paper, so I’d do a test on a piece of wood to see if you like the white with the stain look.
Hi Jami: How would this hold up to pets? When they run and play would that damage the floors? Also, I am wanting to do this in my bathroom, have u put it in your bath or kitchen?
please reply tamlandrum@yahoo.com
Thank You
I’ve been asked this a lot. I think it’s “your mileage may vary” kinda thing – depending on how your dogs are and everything. Some dogs don’t do well with anything, lol.
Our dog hasn’t been on the floor- he’s not allowed in the bedrooms – so I can’t say for sure. What I can say is that the coats of poly cover pretty good- you can always add more coats, as well. AND if there is a spot that gets torn, it’s easy to repair: tear a new piece, crumple, and adhere with a brush full of poly (no glue). Let dry and add another coat or two and you’ll never know it was there. And THAT’s something you can’t say about any other floor, except maybe painted! š
I love this it looks so amazing , and I was wondering if it could be on concrete also or should I just go over the old floor, its old sticky tile (very old), I guess what im really asking is do you think it would stick better to the old tile or concrete? Help please I really want to do this for my guess room , Thanks !
I’ve only done this on plywood subfloors, so I don’t know for sure. I know that others have used it on concrete and they’ve had success using just poly to glue the paper down (by-stepping the watered glue) which apparently adheres better to the concrete. It may go over the tile – if you could do a test somewhere and see the results, that would probably be best!
Can I do this over linoleum?
I’ve never done that, but since it’s just glue and poly, I would think it could be done- if the linoleum is in good condition and there aren’t a lot of bumps and raises in the surface design (most things show up when the paper dries). I recommend to do a test patch in an out-of-the-way spot and see what it looks like!
Jami & Brian, I saw this video and excitedly told my husband we were gonna try it in an upstairs bedroom! I cut the old carpet up and threw it right out the window….THAT was a welcome sight….I absolutely despise carpet and with only 2 rooms in the whole house with carpet, I’m thrilled to get rid of it. We just finished placing the last piece of paper…literally, just about 10 minutes ago. I kept your video up on my computer for inspiration. And boy am I glad I did! I started last night and was immediately disappointed because of the bubbles in the paper…I wasn’t expecting the bubbles so soon and feared I was doing the application entirely wrong. By this morning, that area had dried and looked FABULOUS!! Soooo, we jumped right in on the remaining bare floor and I am almost paralyzed from being on my hands and knees all day…….but we are so excited to see the transformation. Now, we’re just waiting until tomorrow evening to apply the first coat of polyurethane. With the high cost of hardwood flooring, we are very appreciative that ya’ll posted this video. Thanks so much!!
Kimberly- I SO know the feeling of seeing that carpet leaving the house- always a welcome sight to us as well. š I’m also very glad to know this is working for you- thanks for letting us know!!
Laure- I did just hear about someone who tinted the glue with water-based stain and they really liked the outcome. They did a number of tests first to get the color they liked, which I always encourage people to do. Definitely easier than staining separately!
Do try test patches with your different ideas- and don’t forget to let us know how it came out!
I read where someone put some tea in the glue and water mixture to give it some color. What do you think about tea or coffee? Or maybe some wood stain? That would be easier than staining it before the poly. Not the same but non the less some color. What do you think?
Laswan5- I think this would be a great solution for your vinyl. Maybe do it in a test spot first, just to make sure it adheres, but it’s glue, so I think it should. š
Lottsa comments! I don’t have time to read them all right now but I’ll get back to it. I love this application for the floor! I live in an old travel trailer by myself and no pets. I’m thinkinking of doing this to my floor. Problem: the old vinyl is one piece all the way under the cabinets to the outer walls. I think it would be a big job and maybe a disaster to try and take the vinyl out or even to try and cut it along the cabinet base. So I think I’ll try to do it on top of the vinyl. You have any thoughts on that?
Kelly- This would be perfect for this! I think I said in the video that it held up great on some stairs that I didn’t think it would. I still can’t recommend it “officially” because everyone has to take the chance on their own, but I had great results with it and this is tailor-made for temporary fixes.
And yes- paint the cabinets AND the counters!! Google painting counters and you will find folks who did it successfully and their recommendations of what worked best. I’ve seen some great things done for little money (but lot’s of elbow grease!) that totally transform a kitchen. Go for it- I think you’ll love the results!
Love this idea and I am dying to try it. We are getting ready to move to my Mother-in-laws childhood home that my husband recently inherited. The house has beautiful original hardwood except in one hallway and the kitchen/breakfast area, which are an AWFUL 1970’s old yellow stained linoleum. I know you don’t suggest high traffic areas but I was wondering if this would work as a quick temporary fix until we can afford to tile or lay more hardwoods?? The linoleum is killing me! Also! Along with the old linoleum I am also inheriting old stained cabinets and RUST ORANGE formica countertops and backsplashes. Any quick temporary fixes for those issues?!?! Paint??
Gianti Granite. for countertops…
1st of all, I LOVE this idea! Thanks for taking the time to make the video as well. It’s really boosted my confidence in trying this myself. Before I do, I need to know if the polyurethane smells. We tried painting the floor with a urethane paint, but the house smelled so bad that we had to vacate for 3 days. I just had a baby, so that’s not an option. Any chance this isn’t going to run us out of our home?
Beth- So glad you like it! If you use the water-based polyurethane, the smell is minimal – truly. Oil based poly smells awful and I would’ve left the house, too. š
Still, everyone’s different, so I’d suggest trying a little somewhere to see how you think it smells. It doesn’t bother me at all.
Hope that helps!
I love this! What a brilliant idea!
Anonymous- The subfloor isn’t usually the only layer of flooring, so I’ve not noticed it being cooler at all.
When we transition from one flooring height to another we simply use wood thresholds you buy from home improvement stores- stained, if needed, and sealed the with poly.
Hope that helps!
Love this idea! I have kids with horrible allergies and we have wanted to get rid of the nasty carpet. Your idea is amazing!
My questions are…I have never walked on a subfloor before. Does this technique make your floors/stairs cold? How would you transition the subfloor to tile? (Our great room goes from tile/carpet/tile.)Do the wrinkles “stub” toes or feel uncomfortable on the feet?
These are all questions I have to ask so I can get the hubby on board! Thanks for the ideas!
Your floors look just fantastic – great video too. I linked it to my hardwood floors project post today, for inspiration!
I’ve done this to a wall before but I would have NEVER thought of the floor. It looks great!
Anonymous- I haven’t tried staining myself, yet, though I plan to- sorry! Wonder what the difference is?
Marie- The floor is not as bad as wood floor in terms of scratching, but you still need to be careful- we use felt on the bottom of furniture and basically treat it like a wood floor.
And I have no idea about a bathroom counter top. My gut says paper + water = no, but I’ve heard from people who’ve tried it in unconventional places with success. It all boils down to how desperate you are to get rid of what you don’t like! If you see it as a quick, cheap, temporary fix for something ugly, then I always say to go for it. š