July 28, 2026
A West Des Moines Homeowner's Guide

If you're planning a home renovation in West Des Moines, Iowa, you may be wondering:
Should you paint before installing new flooring?
In most cases, yes. Completing your interior painting project before installing new flooring helps protect your investment, simplifies the renovation process, and can save time and money.
At Harmony Painting, we've helped homeowners throughout West Des Moines coordinate painting and flooring projects for nearly two decades. Here's why we typically recommend painting first.
Why Painting Before Flooring Makes Sense....
1. Protect Your New Floors
New hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), engineered wood, tile, or carpet is a significant investment. Even with careful preparation, painting before new flooring is installed eliminates the risk of paint splatters, ladder marks, or heavy foot traffic on your finished floors.
When the painting is complete first, your flooring installers can work on a clean, finished space.
2. Furniture Doesn't Have to Leave Your Home
Many homeowners assume they need to completely empty their home before painting. Fortunately, that's usually not the case.
At Harmony Painting, we simply ask that furniture be moved toward the center of each room. Our team carefully covers and protects your belongings while giving ourselves plenty of space to prep, paint, and complete detailed work around the perimeter.
This makes the process much easier for homeowners while still allowing us to deliver professional results.
3. Painting Is Easier Before Finished Floors
When new flooring hasn't been installed yet, painters don't have to worry about protecting brand-new surfaces from everyday job site activity.
While professional painters always use drop cloths and protective coverings, completing the painting first removes one more concern and helps keep your new flooring looking its best.
4. Better Results During a Remodel
Painting before flooring helps create a smoother remodeling schedule.
A common renovation sequence is:
- Complete any drywall repairs.
- Paint ceilings and walls.
- Install new flooring.
- Install or reinstall baseboards and complete any touch-ups if needed.
Following this order helps each contractor do their best work while reducing the chances of accidental damage.
What About Kitchen Cabinets?
If you're updating your kitchen, cabinet painting should also be part of the planning process.
A typical kitchen remodel often follows this order:
- Paint or install cabinets.
- Paint the walls and ceiling.
- Install new flooring.
- Complete trim installation and final touch-ups.
Planning ahead helps ensure every part of the project comes together beautifully.
Tips for West Des Moines Homeowners
Before your project begins:
- Choose your flooring and paint colors together so they complement each other.
- Schedule your painter before your flooring installer whenever possible.
- Complete drywall repairs before painting begins.
- Move furniture toward the center of each room to provide easy access.
- Let your painting contractor know if additional remodeling work is planned so the project can be scheduled efficiently.
Trust Harmony Painting With Your Interior Renovation
Whether you're updating one room or your entire home, Harmony Painting can help coordinate your interior painting project with your flooring installation for a smooth, stress-free renovation.
As a trusted Interior Painting Company in West Des Moines, Iowa, we provide expert craftsmanship, premium Sherwin-Williams products, and exceptional customer service from start to finish.
If you're planning new flooring or other home improvements, contact Harmony Painting today for a free, no-obligation estimate. We'll help you create a renovation timeline that protects your investment and delivers beautiful, lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I paint before installing new flooring?
Yes. In most remodeling projects, painting before flooring protects your new floors and helps create a smoother renovation process.
Do I have to empty every room before painting?
No. In most cases, furniture simply needs to be moved toward the center of the room. Our team carefully covers and protects your furniture while completing the painting around it.
Can painters protect new flooring?
Absolutely. Professional painters use drop cloths and protective coverings. However, painting before flooring installation provides an extra layer of protection for your investment.
Should I replace my flooring or paint first?
For most homeowners, painting first is the recommended order. It reduces the risk of damage to new flooring and helps the entire project run more efficiently.
Looking for an Interior Painting Company in West Des Moines, Iowa?
Harmony Painting proudly serves homeowners throughout West Des Moines and the surrounding communities with professional interior painting, cabinet painting, drywall repair, and more. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate.
515-210-7663






