What's The Best Type Of Paint For Bathrooms? (2024)

Small local shops and big-box home improvement stores have a variety of paints for everything from sink faucets to bathroom walls. This guide will save you from feeling overwhelmed in the paint aisle while you collect supplies for your bathroom remodel or update.

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.

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Important Factors

Humidity is a threat to the look and performance of paint. Moisture, like steam from your shower, can seep between the wall and coat of paint, creating unwanted texture, bubbling and peeling.

Paints with a glossy finish are moisture-resistant because once cured, satin and gloss finishes form a hard coat that blocks out water, allowing it to drip to the floor rather than seep through to the drywall or wood. High-gloss and enamel paints look, feel and act more like glass or a dry-erase board. Low-sheen paints like flat or eggshell finishes are softer and absorb moisture.

Avoid products made for external use only, like masonry paint. While paints intended for basem*nts and exterior walls are more waterproof, they may contain hazardous amounts of mildewcide or other additives that can cause respiratory problems. When in doubt, hire a professional painter to quickly, safely and effectively paint your bathroom.

Best Bathroom Primers

Use a primer to bond the paint to the wall and prevent peeling. Sticky primers with mildewcide additives will protect your walls for years to come. Here are labels to look for in the primer aisle:

  • KILZ Mold & Mildew Interior | Exterior Primer
  • Zinsser Peel Stop White Triple Thick Interior/Exterior High Build Binding Primer
  • BEHR White Acrylic Interior Kitchen, Bath, and Trim Stain-Blocking Primer and Sealer

A good primer is especially important if you want a low-sheen or no-gloss paint in the bathroom.

Matte, Flat and Eggshell

Professional painters generally steer people away from flat, matte and eggshell finishes for bathroom projects because soft paints are prone to mildew in high humidity. They also aren’t as easy to clean, an important feature for bathroom walls.

However, matte walls add a soft dimension to an otherwise smooth and glossy room, giving it a luxurious, designer appeal.

Thankfully, paint technology has come a long way in recent years. There are matte, flat and eggshell bathroom paints made to resist mildew and make cleaning easier. Look for these labels if you’re set on a low-sheen color:

  • Benjamin Moore Aura Bath and Spa – Matte
  • BEHR Ultra Scuff Defense Stain-Blocking Paint and Primer in One – Flat
  • Zinsser Interior Perma White – Eggshell

Once these low-sheen paints have cured, you can clean your bathroom walls with soap, water and a smooth cloth.

Pros

  • Some products are durable and mildew-resistant

Cons

  • Susceptible to moisture
  • Peeling when not properly primed
  • Not all products are mildew-resistant

Eggshell, while sometimes used synonymously with satin, is slightly less suitable for bathrooms than satin due to its texture and shares many of the same qualities as flat and matte paints.

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Satin

Satin sits between eggshell and gloss paints. It develops a slight protective coating making it a little easier to clean than no-sheen paints. Satin is a good choice for your bathroom if you want a softer-than-gloss texture with many benefits of a gloss finish. Look for these labels in the paint aisle:

  • BEHR Premium Plus Satin Enamel Low Odor Interior Paint and Primer in One
  • Zinsser Satin Perma-White White Tintable Interior Paint

Pros

  • Great for bathroom walls, ceiling or trim
  • Relatively easy to clean

Cons

  • Not as easy to clean as semi-gloss and gloss

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss is one of the most versatile paint finishes because it is easy to clean and water-resistant, making it a great choice for your bathroom walls and trim. You have plenty of options when it comes to semi-gloss bathroom paints, such as:

  • BEHR Premium Semi-Gloss Enamel Low Odor Interior Paint and Primer in One
  • Zinsser Semi-Gloss Perma-White White Tintable Interior Paint
  • PPG UltraLast Base 1 Semi-Gloss Interior Paint
  • HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams Showcase Semi-Gloss

You can also use semi-gloss on your bathroom cabinets. Look for products like BEHR Premium’s Semi-Gloss Enamel Interior Cabinet and Trim Paint.

Pros

  • Great for bathroom walls
  • Durability
  • Dries quickly
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Shows texture and imperfections

Glossy and Full-Gloss

Glossy paints offer the most protection from moisture. Glossy finishes are the easiest to clean, making them perfect for bathroom cabinets and trim. Here are some great gloss paint options for your bathroom project:

  • BEHR Premium Plus Hi-Gloss Enamel Interior/Exterior Paint
  • Valspar Ultra High-Gloss Ultra White/Base A Enamel Tintable Interior Paint

For an editorial, metallic or almost wet look in your bathroom, choose a full-gloss paint, such as:

  • Farrow & Ball’s Full Gloss Interior and Exterior Paint.
  • PPG’s Metallic Interior Specialty Finish.

Pros

  • Great for bathroom cabinets
  • Long-lasting
  • Moisture resistant
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Visible water droplets on the wall
  • Long curing time
  • Shows texture and imperfections

Bathroom Hardware

If you’re repainting bathroom fixtures and hardware, look for rust-resistant paints. Metallic finishes may provide slightly more protection than matte finishes. Use a lacquer top-coat to help it last. Here are some labels to look for in the spray paint aisle:

  • KILZ Original Oil-Based Interior Primer Spray, Sealer and Stain Blocker
  • Rust-Oleum Universal Flat Spray Paint
  • Rust-Oleum 2X Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover Flat Spray
  • Plutonium Clear Coat Gloss Spray Paint

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Colors

For the most natural reflection, choose a neutral color like white for bathroom walls. This will show stains easily, but it is one of the most popular choices for many reasons. Soft neutrals and pinks cast natural ambient light around the space and give you a healthy glow in the mirror.

Leave bold colors for painted cabinets. Select a desaturated color, like a foggy gray or sage green for a modern-looking bathroom.

What's The Best Type Of Paint For Bathrooms? (2024)
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