When picking the best bathroom paints you initially need to put choosing the perfect colour aside. First and foremost, this type of paint needs to be moisture resistant – it is going in a room with several water sources after all. If you have kids, the odd splash is inevitable and normal paint just won't do. And if you don't have kids, then humidity will certainly put your paint to the test.
Bathroom paints therefore need to contain the right ingredients and the necessary properties to handle the damp environment, and they may even need to be wipeable. Fortunately, paint brands have made it their mission to create the best paints for bathrooms that can withstand these conditions. All while offering a beautiful range of colours and finishes to bring a brand new look to your space.
Our list includes not just colourful top coats, but specialist paints to battle mould and damp too – perfect for prepping you bathroom walls. Here are the best bathroom paints you can buy, so take a look to make painting a bathroom a breeze.
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.
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.
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.
If you’re looking for a good top coat, 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. There are plenty of other colours available if you don't fancy white.
The only negative is that it is quite rich paint that can take a while to clean off brushes and rollers. Any spillages also need to be wiped up right away as this paint adheres very well and is hard to clean off other surfaces once dried – a good sign of its scrubability.
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.
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.
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. Most bathroom paints therefore have a good range of whites and neutrals to act as a base for your bathroom scheme. This will create a timeless look that you can update with colourful towels and accessories when you please.
Alternatively, go for a bold, moody colour to create a cocooning feel in your bathroom. Sumptuous slates and inky greens work well to offer a sense of serenity and depth.
If you still want more paintspiration when you're done, check out our bathroom paint colours page for endless ideas.
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. Expect most paints to take at least four hours to dry between coats and don't be tempted to ignore this or you could affect the final finish.
Surface
Make sure that whatever you are painting is clean and dry before application of any paint. If damp or mould has been a problem, look at the specialist products in our list. These can also be used as undercoat for a final coloured bathroom paint to go on top.
- Don't miss our bathroom ideas gallery for loads of gorgeous looks to get you inspired.
