What paint is suitable for bathrooms
Emma Miller
Updated on April 20, 2026
The best type of paint for bathrooms is a satin, semi-gloss, or glossy finish with a mildew-resistant additive. Ideally, your chosen paint should last a while. However, if you’re set on a flat or matte finish, there are options for you too. Don’t forget to clean and prime walls before painting for the best results.
What paint can you use in bathrooms?
Semi-gloss paint: With a high sheen that provides an eye-catching finish, semi-gloss paint is perfect for use in the bathroom. It’s excellent at repelling moisture. High-gloss paint: High-gloss paint is the best paint to use in the bathroom due to it being incredibly moisture repellent.
What kind of paint do you use in a small bathroom?
The experts at Glidden Paint suggest light and bright colors that reflect light to create the appearance of a larger space. This is why so many people recommend white paint as one of the best colors for small bathrooms, because, of course, it reflects the most light.
Is there a waterproof paint for bathrooms?
Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, and other major paint manufacturers have recently introduced bathroom-specific paints featuring antimicrobial additives that prevent the formation of mold and mildew — in this respect, bathroom paint is indeed waterproof.Can I use normal paint in bathroom?
You can apply virtually any paint to bathroom walls and woodwork. Anti-mould paints inhibit the build-up of fungi. You can make any paint anti-fungal by adding specialist products. Any bathroom or toilet area has a higher incidence of moisture and should be treated in the same way.
What is the best paint for a moist bathroom?
The best finish for a bathroom paint is semi-gloss or gloss. Both options will give you a finish with some shine that helps the paint resist absorbing extra moisture that leads to mildew growth.
Do you have to use special paint for bathrooms?
In most cases, you do not need to buy specialty mold/mildew inhibiting bathroom paint. Just remember to keep your bathroom well-ventilated. A modern formulated paint like an acrylic eggshell or satin finish paint is fine for most bathrooms.
What paint is most waterproof?
Epoxy paint is most commonly used for basement or garage flooring because of the paint’s durability and water-resistant capabilities. Epoxy is a type of plastic resin added to the paint to create a rapidly hardening compound when it is applied to a surface.Do I need to prime bathroom walls before painting?
Bob Vila recommends using a primer in bathrooms because of the moisture that emanates from showers. When the bathroom paint primer is not used first, the paint can end up peeling. Look for moisture-resistant primers that are made for bathrooms. Primer and paint are applied in pretty much the same way.
What finish is best for bathroom paint?Pick the right finish. Satin is more durable and shinier than eggshell and is ideal for a bathroom. It’s also easy to clean. Use it for the walls, ceiling, and even the trim, because many satin finishes are tougher than they once were. Semi-gloss is even tougher and a cinch to clean.
Article first time published onIs eggshell paint OK for bathroom?
Paint For Bathrooms – Eggshell and Satin Sheen Eggshell and satin sheens are recommended for a bathroom doesn’t get too much use — like a powder room or guest bathroom.
Do you have to use semi-gloss paint in a bathroom?
In terms of the actual paint finishes, Consumer Reports recommends using either satin or semi-gloss. They argue, “Satin is more durable and shinier than eggshell and is ideal for a bathroom. … Before breaking out your paint brush, clean the bathroom walls first so you’ll start with a clean surface.
Can you use matt paint in bathrooms?
If you have a bathroom or kitchen ceiling, matt paints can often be a good choice. You can create a great aesthetic without sacrificing practicality by combining this with vinyl silk paints.
Can I use wall and ceiling paint in bathroom?
Bathroom paint needs to provide protection from humidity and moisture that leads to staining, chipping and peeling. Whether you are painting walls, ceilings or cabinets, the choice is hands-down a semigloss paint. The semigloss finish is durable, washable and mildew-resistant.
Can you use Dulux washable and tough in a bathroom?
Dulux Easycare Washable & Tough can be used in any room in your house however for bathrooms we would recommend Easycare Bathroom as it is an exceptionally tough moisture and steam resistant paint.
Is satin or eggshell better?
Often confused with other finishes, the difference between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a higher gloss, while offering better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell. Satin paint is ideal for areas that crave definition.
Can I use flat paint in a bathroom?
The unfortunate answer is that it probably won’t work great. Bathrooms tend to be moist places, and flat or matte paint will begin to grow mold or mildew much faster than other paint sheens. Also, it doesn’t resist stains very well, and it is somewhat hard to clean.
Is acrylic paint good for bathrooms?
Acrylic Paint Works Best For the best bathroom paint, pick a high-quality, fast-drying acrylic formula, as opposed to an oil-based one, which won’t react well to water. Look for specially formulated “bathroom paint,” containing mold-inhibiting agents for extra protection.
What paint to use in a shower?
When painting a bathroom or the shower walls inside a shower enclosure, you should use a latex enamel based paint. For the very best results, opt for a high-gloss or semi-gloss paint as opposed to eggshell or flat. Glossier paint will offer superior water repellent properties in comparison.
Should I use oil based paint in bathroom?
Oil-based paints were long considered the better choice for bathrooms because of their durability and resistance to water and to abrasion when being wiped down. However, they are slow drying and may contain high levels of volatile organic compounds that are toxic—more on that in a moment.
Is it OK to paint bathroom walls and ceiling same color?
Painting the ceiling and walls the same color is ideal for the following types of rooms: Small rooms. … Bathrooms are a perfect example of using the same color on the walls and ceiling, thus simplifying and making the room feel bigger and more modern. Large rooms.
How do you prep a bathroom for painting?
- Choose the Best Paint for the Bathroom. …
- Calculate How Much Paint You Need. …
- Clean All Surfaces to Be Painted. …
- Remove the Toilet Tank. …
- Remove All Other Obstructions. …
- Cover Areas That Will Not Be Painted. …
- Cut in the Paint. …
- Paint With the Roller.
Is satin paint waterproof?
Is Satin Paint Waterproof? Satin paint is not waterproof, even once dry and will usually have a number of issues if exposed to high levels of water and moisture. These issues include peeling, flaking, cracking, and color fade amongst some other less common problems.
Is acrylic paint water resistant?
While acrylics are a tough paint, meaning that once they are dry water can’t really harm them, it’s still good to waterproof your painting. This can be done with a varnish, which is a special type of acrylic gloss.
Is there waterproofing paint?
Waterproof paint is either water-resistant or entirely waterproof and can be used inside the home in bathrooms or basements or used outside the home on objects such as boats, birdbaths or water tanks. … Waterproof paint often is used in bathrooms because it prevents moisture from seeping into the walls.
Is low sheen paint good for bathrooms?
Low sheen paint forms a velvety finish that is super hard-wearing and easy to keep clean. They also hide surface imperfections better than gloss paints. Low sheen paints are suitable for almost all interior surfaces and great for areas where frequent cleaning is necessary such as kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms.
Is there a waterproof paint for shower walls?
While the best paint for a steamy bathroom ceiling would be latex-based or acrylic-based paint, you would need an epoxy-based waterproof paint for shower tiles to achieve a proper bond with the less porous surface.
Is satin better than gloss?
Satin Paint A satin finish will leave you with a medium gloss, that doesn’t shine as much as gloss paint as it’s less reflective. It can be great for hiding imperfections because of the finish, whereas the gloss can highlight imperfections.
Which is better satin or semi-gloss paint?
Semi-gloss paint has a bit more sheen than satin. It’s also more resistant to moisture than other finishes, making it ideal for areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Semi-gloss is also a good option for trim and molding because it will stand out against walls painted with eggshell or satin finishes.
Is emulsion paint OK for bathrooms?
Silky/satin emulsion paints offers a washable good option for bathrooms. Eggshell or special paint for bathrooms are anti damp/mould and offer a better solution.
Is Dulux matt emulsion suitable for bathrooms?
Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell or Diamond Matt Silk and soft sheen are often chosen for bathrooms because they have higher vinyl content and water runs off. They can, however, trap moisture beneath the coating film, leading to blistering or peeling.