Flooring Tile - Paint or new finish over existing floor tile?

We have an entry hall that has nice tile -- just a little out of date, a patchwork of dark colors. The tile is in excellent condition, but short of ripping it out and replacing it, is there anyway at all to paint the tiles, build a faux finish or anyone have any other ideas about how we could update the look of the tiles without removing them?

Thank you!

While there are paints for just about every surface today, painting tile tends not to be a durable, long-term option. The results tend to look like you painted your tile. Place an attractive rug on tiles.

Thanks, twelvepole. That seems to be the concensus.

Just brain-storming here ... but I just finished using polyurethane on hardwood. Could doing a faux paint job and covering with a few coats of polyurethane give it the durability it would require?

There are paints for this type of thing, but they're expensive, and to be honest they don't last. A few folks pop in here every once in a while wanting to paint their countertops. The bottom line is tile was selected for the area for one of two reasons (or both):

1. Asthetic quality.
2. Durability.

In my opinion you're ruining both of those aspects - especially the last one, because the paint won't last. You'll have to work to deglaze the tile either mechanically or with a costic solution. Then you'll have to apply several coats after you prime it. The amount of work to do that type of thing is almost equivalent to planning a new tile project, or laying some other type of floor.

If you're contemplating using a finish typically used for wood I wouldn't go there. Most of those products are made to be absorbed by wood, or are meant to be applied to a flat surface. Set tile is typically an uneven surface due to the grout lines, and will not absorb various treatments like wood will.

It all makes good sense ... appreciated!