Best bathroom paints: 6 top picks that are moisture resistant

More goes into picking the best bathroom paints than you might think. It's not always just about picking the perfect colour finish. Yes, we know choosing between Dawn Light and Shimmering Moon is a very important decision but the type of paint you choose is also key. Bathroom paints need to contain the right ingredients and the necessary properties to handle the damp environment, and they may even need to be wipeable, particularly if you have young children or a dog that gets the occasional bath in there, too.

We've rounded up the best bathroom paints you can buy so keep scrolling to pick the right one for you. And don't miss our bathroom ideas gallery for loads of gorgeous looks to get you inspired. 

What is the best bathroom paint?

The best bathroom paint you can buy is Dulux Bathroom+ Emulsion Paint. It's not only tough, but there's a good range of colours and it prevents mould – ideal. Read our full review below for more info. And for more bathroom paint-buying tips and product recommendations, scoot down to the bottom of the page. Otherwise, keep scrolling for our top picks.

If you still want more paintspiration when you're done, check out our bathroom paint colours page for endless ideas.

The best bathroom paint

Dulux Bathroom+ Emulsion Paint should be your go-to if you’re looking to redecorate your bathroom. The paint has been formulated to be both steam and moisture resistant, which means it should remain in tip top condition no matter how many showers are taken in a day. Its MouldTec foundation protects the paint against mould for up to five years, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy it before another coat is required. Over 24 hours, the paint dries to a mid sheen finish, which repels steam rather than allowing it to soaking. In our opinion, this is the very best bathroom paint.

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Damp stains will persistently show through emulsion paint, so if you're decorating a bathroom that's suffered leaks in the past, this is the best bathroom paint for you. Polycell's One Coat Damp Seal will seal the damp patch, so it won't show through your top coat. It only requires one coat, making it quick and easy to apply, and you can use it on plaster, cement or stone. Best of all, it’s touch dry within four hours, so you can get on with applying your chosen paint colour on the same day.

Shop more bathroom paint at Wickes

Living in a rental property with no prospect of improving the bathroom's ventilation? Or perhaps a new bathroom – including a bathroom extractor fan – is something you're saving up for? In the meantime, why not give your bathroom walls a coat of Ronseal Anti Mould Paint, which is a great option for a bathroom that suffers persistent mould growth caused by condensation? It protects your walls for up to six years, so there’s plenty of time for you to enjoy your bathroom before you need to give the walls another coat. The paint dries in just two hours and once dry, it’s wipeable, too.

See more Ronseal paint at Amazon

Although it may not have the Dulux name attached to it, if you’re looking for a good alternative, consider Johnstone’s Brilliant White Kitchen & Bathroom Emulsion, which will provide durable protection in areas where there’s high condensation, with the mid sheen finish providing a moisture resistant surface to ensure walls are kept dry. It’s a low-odour paint and it should dry within four hours, ideal if you're decorating an en suite and don't want to endure paint fumes all night long.

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If you want to give your bathroom a quick freshen up while you save up for a whole room makeover, Ronseal High Gloss Tile Paint will save you the time and the hassle of removing your existing tiles and re-plastering your bathroom wall. There are several colours to choose from and, once applied, the high gloss finish makes the tiles look good as new. The paint itself is waterproof and mould resistant and Ronseal promise that the paint will cover up patterned tiles and strong colours. The best bathroom paint if you're looking for a quick-fix tile revamp, we think.

Browse more specialist paint at The Range

If you are after a budget friendly paint that's going to freshen up your bathroom without costing a lot, GoodHome's bathroom paint is the answer. It's just £16 for 2.5 litres but you still get all the properties you would want from a bathroom paint – it's washable, stain and mould resistant. The finish is a soft sheen which is perfect for bathrooms as they tend to be the rooms that get the least amount of natural light – a slight gloss with bounce light around the space. 

Shop more bathroom paint at B&Q

How to buy the best bathroom paint

Colour Since bathrooms tend to be the smallest room in the house, lighter colours are often used to create the illusion that they are bigger and brighter than they actually are. 

Wipe-ability Bathroom walls tend to get splashed and are subject to condensation, so choosing a paint that can stand the moisture (and potentially mould) is a must – but so is its wipe-ability.

Drying time Dulux have the largest selection of colours on our list, but you’ll find the drying time to be excessively long compared to others, such as Johnstone's Brilliant White Kitchen & Bathroom Emulsion, which is perfect for giving your bathroom a quick refresh. 

Surface If you’re looking to paint over tiles, have a look at Ronseal High Gloss Tile Paint and if you need to seal over a damp patch, try Polycell One Coat Damp Seal. 

More on paints, painting and paint ideas:

• Check out our guide to choosing bathroom tiles
• Find inspiration with our bathroom storage ideas 
• Decorating the kitchen? Browse these 10 kitchen paint ideas
• Need to get rid of mould in your bathroom? Here's how to get rid of mould and mildew