Painting a bathroom might seem like a straightforward task, but with all the moisture, temperature fluctuations, and high-traffic surfaces, it’s important to use the right methods and the right paint. Whether you’re painting walls, the ceiling, updating a vanity, or even wondering if you can paint bathroom tiles, this guide will help you make the best decisions for your bathroom painting project.
Choosing the Right Paint for Bathroom Walls, Ceilings, and Cabinets
Bathrooms experience more humidity and moisture than any other room in the home, so using the right paint is critical. You want a durable, mold-resistant product that can handle frequent cleaning.
What Paint Finish for Bathroom Walls/Ceiling?
For the best results, we recommend using a high-quality satin or semi-gloss paint formulated for bathrooms. Many premium brands also offer mildew-resistant formulas, which add an extra layer of protection.
The finish you choose makes a big difference in how well your bathroom walls hold up over time. Here’s a breakdown of your options:
- Matte/Flat – In most cases you would not want to use a matte or flat in bathrooms, as they are much harder to clean and can absorb moisture.
- Eggshell/Satin – A great balance between a soft sheen and easy cleanability. Works well for most bathrooms.
- Semi-Gloss – Highly durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to wipe down. A top choice for high-moisture areas.
- Gloss – Best for trim, doors, and bathroom cabinets due to its high durability.
What Paint Finish for Bathroom Cabinets?
Choose a high quality paint that is intended for cabinets. A couple of our go-to options are Benjamin Moore Advance and Rodda Renaissance. As for the sheen of the paint, satin is our typical choice as it’s less reflective while still easy to clean.
Bathroom Color Ideas
The right bathroom paint colors can transform your space from dull to spa-like. When choosing a color, consider the size of your bathroom, how much natural light it gets, and the mood you want to create.
If you’re looking for…
- Light & Airy: Soft neutrals like white, beige, and pale gray create a clean, open feel, making small bathrooms feel larger.
- Cool & Relaxing: Light blues, soft greens, and lavender add a calming effect, perfect for a tranquil space.
- Bold & Modern: Navy blue, charcoal, or even black can add a dramatic, stylish flair when paired with white trim.
- Warm & Cozy: Soft taupes, warm grays, and creamy yellows can add a touch of warmth while keeping the space inviting.
If you’re unsure, test a few paint samples on your walls and observe how they look throughout the day in different lighting.
How to Prep a Bathroom for Painting
No matter what you’re painting in your bathroom (walls, ceiling, cabinets…), proper prep work is essential.
Bathroom Wall and Ceiling Preparation
We prepare bathrooms just as we would when prepping any other interior space for painting. This is how we prep the interior of a home before painting.
Essentially, you want to make sure you do the following steps in this order:
- Protect all fixtures and surfaces (towels racks, lights, vanity, etc.). Remove whatever is easy to reinstall when you’re done (such as outlet/switch covers and certain light fixtures).
- Clean appropriately and repair any damaged areas (holes, cracks, gaps).
- Use painter’s tape for crisp lines.
- Prime all surfaces with a primer for high-moisture areas. Use a tinted primer if your final paint color is dark.
- Finally, paint at least two coats of your paint of choice.
If you have space for fans in your work area to circulate air (see our vortex arrangement), this will help the paint dry quickly. When the paint is completely dry, you can remove tape and all protective layers. Then reinstall everything you previously removed.
Painting trim (including doors)? Make sure to read these guides:
How to Prep Trim, Doors, and Cabinets
How to Paint Doors, Trim, and Cabinets Without Brush Marks
If you’re using a paint sprayer on your trim/doors/cabinets: How to Spray Like a Pro
How to Prep Bathroom Cabinets Before Painting
Prepping bathroom cabinets requires the same steps as prepping kitchen cabinets, or cabinets in any other area of the home. Whether you’re spraying or using brushes/rollers, the prep is essentially identical. Read our complete guide on how to prep cabinets before painting.
Can You Paint Bathroom Tiles?
Can you paint your bathroom tile floor? Short answer – yes, you can. But should you? This is a topic for another day, since there are multiple steps to take to ensure durability. We’ll post about this topic soon.
Additional Bathroom Painting Tips
- Choose High-Quality Paint & Brushes: Investing in better materials ensures a smoother finish and longer-lasting results.
- Paint in the Right Order: Always start with surfaces that are being sprayed such as trim and cabinets, then move onto ceilings and walls last.
- Wait Until Fully Dry Before Taking a Shower. Ideally, wait for the paint to completely cure before showering to the point where the bathrooms fills with steam. To ensure your bathroom stays dry while the paint dries and cures, open windows and doors to decrease the amount of steam in the room and always run the ceiling fan. Be aware of any excess water as well, such as any drips from wet hair.
Ready to Refresh Your Bathroom?
Painting a bathroom is a great way to update the space, whether you’re refreshing the walls, refinishing a vanity, or even painting bathroom tiles. By using the right prep, paint, and techniques, you can achieve a long-lasting, beautiful result.
If you’d rather leave it to the pros, Pearl Painters in the Portland, OR area is here to help. Our expert team knows exactly how to paint bathrooms efficiently and flawlessly. Contact us today for a free estimate!
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