THE BEST BATHROOM PAINT PRODUCTS & COLOURS

A coat of paint can easily freshen up or renew the bathroom walls. But identifying the right product that resists moisture and humidity while fighting mould and stains isn’t easy. Then, there are colours. White is a classic choice, but is it the only way to go?

When doubts arise, our expert team is here to help. We’ve done the hard work for you, roaming the market in the search of the best bathroom products and colours.

We’ve picked some of the most popular paints, tested and rated them. Our top picks resisted mould, are easy to wipe clean, and are good candidates for bathrooms, kitchens, or poorly ventilated spaces that can become damp. Check them out below.

bathroom

OUR BEST PICK BATHROOM PAINTS

Our #1 Best Pick

Dulux Easycare

Dulux Easycare Bathroom Soft Sheen Paint

Our top pick – an excellent paint that resists excessive moisture and steam.

Low Cost Option

Johnstone's Bathroom & Kitchen

Johnstone's Kitchen and Bathroom Emulsion Paint

One of the most economical paints on the market for high traffic areas.

Best Of The Rest

Ronseal AMPWM750 Anti Mould Paint

Encapsulated biocide technology provides up to six years of protection against mould. 

Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint

A cost-effective solution to bathroom redecoration – this product works wonders on all tiled surfaces.

HQC Kitchen & Bathroom Paint

Highly breathable water-based paint ideal for high condensation areas.

POPULAR BATHROOM COLOUR PALETTES

Who said blue and white are the only colours to use in a bathroom? There are many trendier options to consider, either for a modern or for a traditional environment.

If you want to stick to the traditional ocean colours, opt for shades of green or turquoise. Neutral tones, such as dove grey or sand can replace the classic white. Black also works wonders in a modern bathroom when matched with white or silver furniture, but use it on just one contrasting wall.

A Scandinavian style limits the colour spectrum to light and pastel shades, such as ice grey and light blue, but these tonalities are perfect for a small space.

In a traditional bathroom, the choice falls on neutral hues, such as beige and grey, but even in such a space, it’s easy to add a personal touch with a contrasting wall in a matching colour, like burgundy or Bordeaux red.

Classier colours, including lavender, sage and blue are ideal for shabby chic style bathrooms. This palette is easy to match with wooden furniture and natural stone tiles and countertops. A porous, rustic stone such as travertine or limestone is your best bet, while lilac and moss green are two other shades that work perfectly in a similar context.

Dulux Easycare

Innovative technologies and unparalleled resistance define the qualities of this paint.

Dulux Easycare Bathroom is an exceptional paint formulated to resist excessive moisture and steam. With a soft sheen finish, the product is easy to wipe clean while the MouldTec technology protects the painted surface against mould for up to five years.

Chromalock technology ensures the brightness of the colour for a long time. This exclusive resin keeps the colour pigments dispersed in the wet paint, determining the molecules to bond together closer when the paint dries, forming a protective film on the surface of the paint. This shields the colour from the daily wear and tear, providing long-lasting results.

Innovative technologies apart, Dulux Easycare has a coverage up to 13m²/litre and is ridiculously easy to apply with a paintbrush or roller. The colour, Pure Brilliant White, looks wonderful in both modern and traditional bathrooms, matching well with many other shades.

The manufacturer is renowned for its colour consistency between lots; however, if using more than one can, we recommend mixing them together in a larger container.

As for the application, this emulsion paint has a quick dry time and, in ideal conditions, it accepts a second coat after about six hours. Working in extreme temperatures or very humid conditions can cause unflattering results. Over darker paint or new walls, it might be necessary to apply more than two coats.

Pros

• MouldTec technology protects the paint against mould for up to five years, increasing the product’s resistance to moisture and steam.
• Chromalock technology allows the colour pigments to bond closer and form a protective film that maintains the colour for longer.
• Dulux soft sheen is about ten times tougher than the conventional matt and silk emulsions, resisting better to challenging environmental conditions.
• Easy to apply with a brush or roller, the paint dries fast and accepts a second coat after about six hours.
• The soft sheen finish gives a pleasant matt look to the wall, and the paint does an exceptional job repelling water.

Cons

• The paint has a great coverage, but sometimes it might take three or four coats to get a clean white finish.

Johnstone's Bathroom & Kitchen

A versatile low-cost paint for bathroom and kitchen.

Johnstone’s Emulsion Paint is an exceptional product able to provide a durable protection in high condensation areas, including kitchens and bathrooms. Coming in 2.5 litre tins, this paint is also convenient and affordable.

According to the manufacturer, the coat is 10 times tougher than conventional emulsions. According to our tests, we confirm the paint resists well in challenging environments and dries to a subtle mid sheen finish that repels moisture, grease and stains.

Thanks to these features, the paint is ideal to use in all high-traffic areas, including playrooms, halls, and stairways.

Another thing we like about this emulsion is the low odour.
A litre of paint covers up to 12m², and a full tin is more than enough for a small or mid-size bathroom. However, a third coat is often necessary if you aim to achieve a solid colour finish, and that’s something to remember when estimating the quantity.

The wide range of colours adds versatility to the product. This paint is easy to match with all interiors; finding the right hue or palette for the bathroom by mixing and matching neutral shades with bolder tones is easy.

Pros

• Specially formulated paint provides durable protection in high condensation areas. It resists moisture and mould.
• Low odour product suitable for playrooms, halls, stairways, and kitchens. It dries to a mid-sheen finish that resists stains and grease.
• The paint comes in 11 neutral and vibrant colours. Finding the right shade for your environment is easy.
• Water-based paint, Johnstone’s is easy to clean from the brushes with soapy water. Correcting any application errors is also easy.
• Applied in ideal conditions, the paint dries in less than two hours and accepts a second coat after about four hours.

Cons

• The consistency of the paint varies from tin to tin and may be too thin or too thick. Stirring the paint before the job improves its viscosity.
• Packaging is not substantial enough to prevent leaks during shipping.

Ronseal Anti Mould

Moisture, mould and steam resistant – Ronseal is easy to maintain.

Ronseal Anti Mould Paint is another excellent alternative to consider. The product covers up to 13m²/litre depending on the wall’s surface and porosity; it dries in only two hours and two coats are enough to get a clean white result.

To fight against mould, the product encapsulates an advanced biocide technology designed to actively fight all common types of mould, preventing their growth for up to six years. Moisture and steam resistant, Ronseal paint forms a protective film on the wall’s surface easy to wipe clean when needed.

Formulated for walls and ceilings, this paint adheres fast to most surfaces, as long as it is applied over a primer. The product is also easy to apply with a paintbrush or roller and is compatible with some models of paint sprayers.

The paint comes in 750ml or 2.5L tins and is available in white matt and white silk. Although choosing one finish over another is a matter of preference, we like white matt’s smooth, velvety finish that hides wall imperfections. That being said, white silk is easier to clean.

Pros

• Formulated specifically for bathrooms and kitchens, this paint is steam and moisture resistant and is suitable to use on all interior walls.
• Advanced encapsulated biocide technology actively prevents the growth of all common types of mould that could build up in high condensation areas.
• Provides up to 6 years of mould protection.
• Easy to apply with a paintbrush or roller, the product dries fast and has a great coverage of up to 13m²/litre.
• White matt emulsion dries to a smooth, velvet finish that covers wall imperfections and is easy to wipe clean as needed.

Cons

• Ronseal Anti Mould Paint is one of the most expensive on the market, given that it comes in 750ml tins.
• The product is thick and should be applied undiluted, which means it could take up more paint than accounted to cover all walls.
• Paint actively fights all common types of mould, but in rare cases, uncommon mould strains can grow and reduce the product’s efficiency.

Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint

Marvellous tile paint dries to a soft satin finish.

Revamping a tiled bathroom is one of the hardest jobs, but Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint works wonders on tiled surfaces. Fighting moisture and humidity, the paint is mould resistant and waterproof. It’s easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth and is one of the best products to use in a bathroom or kitchen.

Applying the product with a brush is easy, and in most cases one coat is sufficient. Brilliant white dries to a soft polished, satin finish which is very practical on a tiled surface. The paint requires no primer before application, cutting off work and costs.

The quick-drying formula needs about two hours to dry. However, in the rare cases in which a second coat is required, we recommend waiting for at least 24 hours between applications.

Even if the product is marvellous, we don’t like the misleading advertisement of the manufacturer. On the tin, it says “One Coat” paint, which is true in most cases. However, if you’re doing a substantial colour change or if the tiles have heavy patterns, a second or even a third coat may be required. Combined with a low coverage of only 8m²/litre, this could result in a costly redecoration solution.

Despite this minor drawback, the paint adheres to bare or previously painted tiles, cutting down the costs of replacing old plates with new ones. The dense formulation leaves no brush marks behind, ensuring a smooth, pleasant finish on all interior tiles. A vast range of colours and textures is available from the manufacturer.

Pros

• Quick and easy solution to freshen up the design of a tiled bathroom. One coat is usually sufficient and the product dries in two hours.
• Resistant to moisture and humidity, this paint prevents mould growth and is waterproof.
• Easy to apply on previously cleaned tiles, the product provides perfect coverage without leaving unflattering brush marks.
• Requires no primer and leaves a durable satin finish. It’s easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• Adheres to bare or previously painted tiles.

Cons

• Coverage is only 8m²/litre, and the product comes in 750ml tins. Multiple tins may be needed to paint a larger surface, and the product is expensive.
• Cleaning the paint off the brushes is a hassle. The operation requires white spirit or a brush cleaner and should be carried out in a well-ventilated environment.
• Misleading advertisement on the tin could lead to miscalculating the real quantity needed to complete work.

HQC kitchen

Protects high condensation areas against mould for up to 5 years.

HQC Kitchen & Bathroom Paint provides ultimate protection against mould in high condensation and humidity areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Shielding the walls for up to five years, this water-based paint is easy to apply and ensures an outstanding breathability.

The product dries to a mid-sheen finish that resists moisture, stains and grease, and it is perfect for high-traffic areas including halls, playrooms and stairways.

Durable and easy to wipe clean, this paint is made from eco-friendly materials, it has a low odour and it isn’t toxic. It is safe to apply in poorly ventilated environments and, once dry, it forms a breathable layer that allows moisture to evaporate, preventing future damage and stains.

We like how fast the product dries. It takes only two hours for the paint to touch dry and a second coat can be applied after only four hours, depending on the environmental conditions.

Another thing we like is the fantastic price of this paint. Coming in 36 pastel or vibrant colours, the product is easy to integrate into any interior design. For consistent results, we recommend applying at least two coats regardless of the colour and leave the product to cure for at least 24 hours before touching excessively.

Pros

• 100% acrylic paint has a low odour and is made from eco-friendly materials. Safe to work with it in poorly ventilated environments.
• The special formulation provides premium protection against bacteria and mould for up to five years.
• Ideal to use in all high condensation areas, including bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
• Easy to apply with a brush, roller, or sprayer on previously cleaned and dry surfaces. No primer needed.
• Water-based formula is fully washable, ensuring a flattering long-lasting look.
• Coming in 36 colours, the paint is easy to match with the existing decorations or furniture.

Cons

• The coverage of 10m²/litre is only indicative, and in reality, it takes up a lot of paint to achieve a consistent result.
• Lighter colours get stained easily; the paint is easy to clean, but the matter is annoying.

HOW TO PAINT A BATHROOM

MATERIALS

• Bathroom paint
• Primer
• Caulk
• Sandpaper
• Drop cloth
• Painter’s tape
• Sponge

TOOLS

• Paintbrushes
• Roller
• Roller tray
• Caulking gun
• Stepladder

DECORATING GUIDELINES

Step 1 – Prepare the bathroom

Painting an empty bathroom is easier, so the first step is to take off all hanging decorations and accessories from the sink and tub area. For a flawless result, we also recommend removing the toilet, or at least the toilet tank, any wall switch and electrical outlet covers, wall-mounted furniture, and towel bars.

Clean the walls with degreaser and leave them to dry before proceeding.

If there are cracks in the walls, repair them with caulk or a similar waterproof sealer. Use sandpaper to smoothen the surface and clean all dust and debris before applying the primer or paint.

Use masking tape and drop cloths to cover all surfaces that are not to be painted.

Step 2 – Prime the surface

Some paint manufacturers claim it’s unnecessary to use a primer before applying the paint. However, we recommend using it. A primer creates the perfect base for the paint to adhere and most times it can reduce the porosity of a wall. This means less paint is needed to achieve satisfactory results.

On the market, there are self-priming paints which are thicker than regular paint. When working with a similar product priming might be unnecessary, depending on the condition of the wall.

If you consider skipping this step, know that a primer is needed on any new or bare surfaces, when painting over gloss paint, and when the new colour is substantially lighter than the old one.

Step 3 – Paint the bathroom

The easiest way to paint the walls is with a roller while a suitable brush can be used for small retouches in corners or edges. Start with the ceiling then work your way down along the walls, applying a thin and even coat of paint.

To ensure consistency and speed up any work, it is possible to replace the roller with a paint sprayer if the paint is compatible with such a tool.

Don’t apply a second coat until the first one is completely dry. The dry time should be written on the tin but add sufficient extra time if you’re painting in less than ideal conditions. After applying the second coat, leave the paint to cure for at least 24 hours before mounting back the furniture, accessories and decorations.