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The Best Bathroom Ceiling Paint
A few coats of the right paint can turn your ceilings into the star of the show
Photo: zhihao / Moment / Getty Images
Photo: zhihao / Moment / Getty Images
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If there’s one thing we know about bathrooms, it’s that they experience a lot more moisture and humidity than other rooms in a home. That’s why you need the best paint for your bathroom ceiling to ensure it withstands steamy showers for many years.
It’s best to apply paint that can withstand wetter conditions and protect against mold, mildew, or fungi. Using the guide below, you can rest assured your bathroom ceilings are coated in the best paint primer, paint, and finish for your space. Once you’ve picked your bathroom ceiling paint, consider hiring a local interior painter to complete the job.
1. Semi-Gloss Paint
Photo: aronaze / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Semi-gloss paint finishes have a higher concentration of polyurethane, which makes them ideal for spaces like bathrooms or kitchens. Although “gloss” is included in its name, semi-gloss finishes don’t have a particularly high shine or luster. Plus, this type of paint is durable and mildew-resistant. However, it’s glossier than matte paint and reflects more light, so it’s a better option for smaller rooms with fewer windows, like a bathroom.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mildew-resistant | Can be harder to apply and may show brush strokes |
| Durable | Paint damage is more noticeable |
| Easy to paint | May look darker when damp |
2. Satin Paint
A satin paint finish is less shiny than semi-gloss and is ideal for rooms with more natural light. It’s also a more durable sheen that can withstand frequent scrubbing and cleaning, making it an excellent paint finish for a bathroom ceiling. One downside to satin paint jobs is that it’s more prone to show imperfections like cracks, patches, or divots in the drywall.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to clean | Highlights drywall imperfections |
| Moisture-resistant | Can show dirt and scuffs |
| Reflects light without glare | Needs more frequent repainting |
3. High-Gloss Paint
If you’re an experienced painter with a flare for the dramatic, high-gloss paint is a specialty finish that can make a true statement on your bathroom ceilings. It produces an almost mirror-like effect on walls, and you should only use it on surfaces without heavy texture or imperfections.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable | Not suitable for textured ceilings |
| Moisture-resistant | Difficult to apply |
| Can brighten a dark room | Draws attention to brush marks and drywall damage |
4. Moisture-Resistant Paint
When steam rises in your bathroom, moisture-resistant paint can combat the moisture to keep the color pristine. This type of paint creates a barrier that keeps wet particles from seeping into the ceiling, preventing mold and mildew from forming. A few coats of moisture-resistant paint are no match for those splashes from the tub or excess steam from a hot shower.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly moisture-resistant | More expensive |
| Discourages mold and mildew | Prone to flaking |
| Easy to clean | Requires additional prep |
5. Air-Purifying Paint
It’s no secret that the bathroom harbors more offensive smells, which is why air-purifying paint can help improve the air quality in a small space. This type of paint works by removing existing VOCs from the air and trapping them once they come in contact with the paint.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low/no VOCs while applying | Expensive |
| Actively removes VOCs from air | May have limited colors or finishes |
| Reduces odors | Needs frequent repainting to maintain air-purifying properties |
Why Picking the Right Bathroom Ceiling Paint Matters
You may think all ceiling paint is the same, but when it comes to your bathroom, choosing the wrong one can have consequences. Because the bathroom is a much more humid environment than other rooms, mold, mildew, and fungal growth are extremely common. A paint that doesn’t discourage these can lead to health problems and difficult-to-remove growth.
Moisture itself can also seriously damage your ceiling. If the ceiling paint doesn’t properly protect against moisture, the ceiling can warp, soften, and weaken. Creating an effective barrier against moisture will keep your ceiling in good condition.
What to Consider When Picking a Bathroom Ceiling Paint
Different ceiling paints will be right for different bathrooms. Consider these factors when choosing a bathroom ceiling paint:
The bathroom’s size
How much natural light it gets
How much ventilation it has
Whether the ceiling is textured or smooth
The condition of the ceiling
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Paint Bathroom Ceilings
Photo: Oscar Wong / Moment / Getty Images
Painting a bathroom ceiling yourself can be a straightforward job as long as you have the supplies you need and can comfortably reach the ceiling with your paint roller. While a bathroom ceiling is a small area, it may present a challenge if you are inexperienced in painting around fixtures or in tight corners or are unable to paint a high ceiling. Hiring a painting professional to do the job will ensure it’s painted to your specifications. A painter will also bring their own supplies and buy the paint at a wholesale price.
The cost of painting a bathroom ceiling is typically between $100 and $200, as it is such a small area. However, due to the effects of moisture on paint from the repeated use of showers, bathtubs, and sinks, painting more frequently may be necessary to not only improve how the bathroom looks, but also keep germs that humidity can generate at bay.
Whether you choose to paint a bathroom ceiling yourself or hire a local ceiling painting service will depend on various factors, such as your budget, skillset, and available time. If you decide to paint yourself, you’ll need to buy the paint and supplies. This can include wall cleaners, drop cloths, painter’s tape, brushes and rollers, a roller tray, and a roller extension pole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of the two sheens, satin is more resistant to moisture, whether it’s from frequent cleaning or from the shower, and it dries quickly. However, if there are imperfections in the wall, they will be more obvious to the naked eye, so make sure to get the ceiling as smooth as you can before you start painting.
Glossy-sheened paints work best in rooms where moisture and humidity are factors. Satin and semi-gloss paints do not absorb moisture like other types of paints due to their hard finish. These paints are also easier to clean.
Whether your ceilings should match the walls depends on your personal taste and the mood you’re going for. Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls can elevate the drama in a room, especially when crown molding separates the walls and ceiling. However, painting ceilings white will make the walls appear taller and rooms appear larger and brighter.
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