Bathroom Paint for Walls, Tiles & Ceilings
Tough, moisture proof paint made for bathrooms
The bathroom is the room where the paintwork has to do the hardest yards. Splashing, condensation, damp, and the moisture lurking in the air all conspire to deteriorate and weaken paint, especially if you also have poor ventilation. Which is why bathroom paint is designed to be hardy, and the best paint for bathrooms has:
- A tough finish – Tight structures and durability are important in bathrooms where strong chemicals are used to clean surfaces.
- A light sheen – Matte paints are not suited to high moisture spaces as they are more easily affected by humidity. Bathroom paints are therefore light sheen, satin, eggshell, or gloss, but not matte.
- Mould protection – Most of these paint incorporate a mould and mildew resistant fungicide or formulation, to prevent the moisture-rich air promoting mould-rich surfaces.
The best bathroom paints in the UK
The #1 and Best for Colour – Dulux Bathroom Paint
Dulux Easycare Bathroom Soft Sheen Paint
Dulux products have been a go-to for decades in the UK, and their continued high quality and extensive range means they will not be losing the top spot any time soon. Now you can lay back in your bath and relax, not glare at that mould spot in the corner. In short, the reasons to buy include:
- Moisture and steam resistant
- Comes in a range of 30 colours
- Mould protection for 5 years
Extra Mould Protection – Crown Breatheasy Bathroom
Crown Bathroom Emulsion
Crown Paints’ unique Breatheasy formulation is 99% solvent free, making these paints low odour. When it comes to painting in more confined spaces like bathrooms this is a big plus. This bathroom range also provides:
- Mouldguard+ technology protects against mould
- Suitable for walls, ceilings, wood, and metal
- Steam and condensaton resistant
The Best for Tiles – Ronseal Tile Paint
Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint
The 70s and 80s were not a good time for bathrooms, and many of those crimes still exist in the form of tiles. Or maybe you just want to spruce your bathroom without the full cost of a renovation. Ronseal’s Tile Paint does what it says on the tin, giving your tiles a tough, durable finish in once coat. Reasons to choose Ronseal include:
- Waterproof and mould resistant finish
- Ideal for tiled areas around sinks, baths, shower areas, not recommended for floors
Durable + Cost Effective – Johnstone’s Kitchen & Bathroom
Johnstone’s Kitchen + Bathroom Emulsion
Another well-known and respected name in paint, Johnstone’s is now part of the stable of PPG Paints, with all the trust that entails. Their Kitchen and Bathroom Emulsion provides all the benefits you would expect from a top name bathroom paint, including:
- A tough, durable finish
- Fast drying to a mid sheen gloss level
- Available in a range of 15 colours
- Low odour formulation
If You Have a Bit of Cash to Spend – Farrow & Ball
Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion
Farrow & Ball is the luxury option in this list, but if you want richly pigmented quality in a beautiful range of colours it can’t be beat. The Modern Emulsion finish is Farrow & Ball’s durable option, suitable for walls and ceilings with a 7% sheen level. Its benefits include:
- A mould resistant formulation
- Washable and wipeable, scuff and stain resistant
- Water-based and low VOC
How to choose the best paint for bathroom surfaces
The best paint for your bathroom surfaces is the one chosen with the substrate and environment in mind. There are a number of different products for different bathroom surfaces, and we are going to have a look at where and when you should use what.
- Walls and ceilings
As discussed above, walls and ceilings in bathrooms need to be protected against moisture and the associated problems. The paints should prevent mould or fight damp and condensation - Tiles
A big trend of recent years is the budget reno, a weekend project to update or spruce a room or space in your home. For the bathroom this means coating what cannot be cheaply removed. Tile paint is a budget option for updating tiles that no longer match the decor, and it gives a clean, smooth finish that is waterproof and often indistinguishable from tile. - Floors
A waterproof floor paint for bathrooms can protect wood, tile, and cement from the waterlogging that goes with the territory. A clear epoxy resin is a popular choice as it allows your to maintain the appearance of the tile or cement. It can also be anti slip. For wood, a polyurethane sealant is the most common option, giving waterproof and scratch proof protection. - Glass
Everyone knows the annoyance of the buildup of soap scum and watermarks on the glass surfaces of their bathroom. A hydrophobic nano coating can protect your glass surfaces, making them self-cleaning and water repellent.
The bathroom paint colours for any mood
The bathroom paint colours you choose need to express the mood you hope to achieve in the bathroom. More traditional choices like soft greys, blues, and beiges aim to build a feeling of calm and relaxation. The 2019 colour of the year from Dulux, Spiced Honey, or the 2018 winner, Heartwood, are both shades with this inspiration in mind.
But not everyone wants calming neutrals. The deep, dark colours from Farrow & Ball, such as their black blue or Hague Blue, also work well as a contrast with bathroom fittings, but also work surprisingly well when featured only in certain spaces like feature walls or even ceilings. Blues immediately take you to the seaside, while light greens are fresh and peppy.
Coatings – Ireland
