The best bathroom paint
Looking to repaint your bathroom? There’s a lot to consider from colour to moisture resistance. Your bathroom deals with unique conditions that you don’t need to worry about elsewhere in your home, and this means that whatever you paint it with needs to stand up to these conditions too. What you don’t want is a paint that will flake and leave your walls looking messy, but it’s also important to consider how you want your bathroom to look.
Trends come and go, but neutral Scandi bathrooms, bright and colourful bathrooms, and dark and moody bathrooms have been around for quite some time. So, what is the best paint for bathrooms? Let’s take a look at the options.
- The best type of bathroom paint is one designed for high humidity levels. Higher-sheen options (eggshell, silk, gloss, or anti-mould paints) are most durable, while specially formulated matt emulsions can also work. Standard matt paint should be avoided as it isn’t designed for high moisture.
- When choosing a bathroom paint, matt hides wall imperfections and suits deeper colours, while eggshell and silk balance durability with subtle sheen. Gloss has maximum wipe-clean durability and brightness, ideal for high-moisture areas and ceilings.
- When choosing a bathroom paint colour, light shades (white, pale blue) make small bathrooms feel larger, while trends include Scandi neutrals, monochrome black and white, blues for calmness or elegance, and pinks for a bold statement.
What is the best paint finish for a bathroom?
Before painting your bathroom, you’ll need to make sure the paint you choose can stand up to excess moisture. Generally speaking, the more sheen a paint has, the better it will stand up to wet environments like your bathroom, so you’ll need to choose the right balance between the finish you’re looking for (from matt to gloss) and the level of durability you need. We’ve put together a list of good options below.
Matt emulsion
Matt emulsion paint gives you a modern, matt finish that doesn’t reflect as much light as a gloss or eggshell paint. It’s more durable than standard matt paint as it contains vinyl resins that are easier to wash and better at repelling water, creating a barrier against splashes and condensation.
It’s also worth considering the shade you want as, if you’re going for a deeper shade in your bathroom, a matt finish absorbs the light to give you a flatter, more consistent look.
Matt paint is also great for disguising lumps and bumps in the wall as its less reflective qualities mean that light won’t highlight these inconsistencies.
Eggshell
Eggshell paint has a finish between matt and silk, giving you a slight sheen without reflecting too much light. When dry, it achieves a look similar to an eggshell (hence the name), so you get a little bit of gloss to brighten up the space but not so much that every bump in your wall can be seen.
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Silk
Silk paint sits between eggshell and gloss on the sheen scale, shinier than eggshell but not quite as shiny as gloss. This sheen results in a wipe-clean surface, perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. It also helps light to bounce off your walls, making the space appear larger and brighter.
Gloss
Gloss paint gives you a highly reflective surface that’ll really brighten up a room. It’s also known for having a highly durable finish, making it ideal for bathrooms and high-traffic areas. Plus, the smooth finish it achieves is easy to wipe clean, repelling water and condensation.
Anti-mould
If your bathroom is particularly prone to condensation, an anti-condensation or anti-mould paint can be a great choice. They form a strong barrier on your wall, stopping damp and mould from penetrating and growing. They also often contain fungicides that can kill mould and mildew before it spreads.
What paint not to use in your bathroom
Standard matt paint without any extra durability or moisture-resistant additives isn’t designed for wet environments like bathrooms. These paints are prone to flaking when exposed to moisture due to the water being absorbed, causing it to penetrate through the finish and lift the paint away from the wall. These paints also create the perfect environment for moisture to thrive, which can potentially lead to problems with mould and mildew.
What’s the best paint for bathroom ceilings?
Eggshell, silk, gloss, and anti-mould paints are all great for bathroom ceilings thanks to their moisture-resistant properties. Generally, you can paint your ceiling in the same paint you use for your walls.
What’s the best colour to paint a bathroom?
Your bathroom doesn’t have to be the traditional all-white affair. Homeowners are now taking the opportunity to use this space to express themselves; whether they want a relaxing haven or something that creates more of a statement. Let’s take a look at some current bathroom colour trends.
Bright and natural Scandi
White is the go-to bathroom shade for a reason; It keeps this often-cramped space looking bright, fresh, and airy, allowing light to bounce around the room. To prevent this from making the space feel too cold, introduce warm tones like browns and beiges. This is where you can embrace the trendy Scandi style of light wooden furniture, wood panelling and large houseplants.
Monochrome black & white
If you want a bold and modern look, a black and white monochrome bathroom could be a great option. This is something that really makes a statement without overwhelming you with colour. If you’re planning on painting your bathroom walls a dark shade like black, it’s a good idea to introduce some reflective surfaces like mirrors or shiny silver taps and hardware that can reflect light and prevent the space from feeling closed-in.
To soften the space, add some splashes of colour with items like towels and bathmats, or introduce a few different textures. You can also keep some small plants dotted around to break up the monochrome industrial vibes with a touch of nature.
All the blues
Painting your bathroom blue is great if you’re wanting a calm and serene space, perfect for a relaxing bath in the evening. But a light baby blue will create a very different feel to that of a deeper navy. Baby blue can really lift a space, making it feel clean and refreshed, and it also creates the perfect base for a nautical-themed bathroom.
On the other hand, a deeper navy leans more towards a feeling of elegance and tradition and looks particularly good in a matt finish. A darker shade like this can make your bathroom feel cosy, especially if just used on a feature wall. Adding reflective surfaces and touches of white can help to balance this shade out too.
Pretty in pink
Now here’s a bold choice. Pink had a real heyday in the 70s and it’s now making a big comeback as a potential bathroom paint shade. Muted, rusty pink shades can have a huge impact without feeling too blinding, especially when paired with silver hardware and mirrors. Or if you want a vintage feel, pair this shade with chrome fittings instead. If you want to go full Barbie dream house, a light baby pink interior can feel fresh and bright, perfect for your bathroom. We recommend you try it on just one wall at first if you’re not sure.
What’s the best paint colour for a small bathroom?
If you’re dealing with a small bathroom, brighter colours will help to open up the space and allow light to bounce around. Whites and light blues are your best option, but there’s another little trick you can try too; painting the bottom half of the walls a darker colour and the top half a lighter colour can make the bathroom feel more open. You can achieve this with paint alone or use this as an opportunity to try Wainscoting panelling on the bottom section of your wall. You’ll just need to make sure the lighter colour is at the top for this effect to work.
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There’s a lot to consider when you’re thinking of painting your bathroom, especially as the wet environment is only compatible with certain paint finishes. For the highest durability, the best bathroom paint offers a higher gloss level, but you can also get matt paints that have been specially formulated for moisture resistance. The colour of your bathroom’s walls can also completely change its look and feel, whether you want something light and airy or something a little cosier.
Thinking of adding some new tiling to your bathroom too? Check out our guides on how to tile a bathroom.
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