What Type of Paint and Finish Is Best for Bathrooms?

When relaxing in the tub after a long day, you don’t want to look at peeling wall paint covered in mold and mildew. But that’s the decorating disaster you could face if you don’t pick the best paint for your bathroom.

Some types of paint finishes are more likely to absorb sink splashes and condensation. Opt for a bathroom-befitting formula with mold-resistant properties to avoid getting the brushes out annually. Follow these top tips to find the best paint for your bathroom and learn why proper prep work is a prerequisite for a home painting project.

Why Paint Selection Is Important for a Bathroom

It's crucial to choose the right type of paint for your home's bathrooms. Steamy showers and warm baths work wonders when we're weary, but they do a number on our walls and trim. With the wrong paint, high moisture and humidity levels in your bathroom can lead to mold, mildew, peeling, and discoloration. Waterproof paints that can withstand the conditions of a typical bathroom are specially formulated to resist moisture and humidity so you can enjoy pristine bathroom wall paint colors for years to come.

1. High-Gloss or Semi-Gloss Paint

Typically, high-gloss is the most durable, easy-to-clean, and moisture- and mold-resistant paint finish. But that doesn’t mean it is always the best paint for bathrooms. It’s ideal to use high-gloss paint on features like the bathroom door, window frames, or vanity cabinet drawers. 

Semi-gloss shares the qualities of high-gloss but on a less extreme level. That’s why it’s a go-to choice for painting bathroom walls.

• Valspar® Ultra High Gloss Paint + Primer

• Behr® Premium Cabinet, Door & Trim Semi-Gloss Enamel

• ECOS Semi-Gloss Paint

• Benjamin Moore® ADVANCE High Gloss Interior/Exterior Paint

2. Satin Paint

Durable and moisture-resistant but not too shiny, it’s no wonder satin finishes are popular paint types for bathroom walls. The cost to paint a room with satin paint ranges from $12 to $72 per gallon.

• Glidden® Premium Satin Interior Latex

• Sherwin-Williams® SuperPaint Satin Interior Acrylic Latex

• Valspar® Reserve Interior Satin Paint + Primer

• Behr® Premium Plus Interior Satin Enamel

3. Eggshell, Matte, or Flat Paint

Traditionally, these paint finish types aren’t the best for bathrooms. However, some brands produce premium eggshell or matte paints with moisture-resistant properties, making them suitable for these high-humidity havens. If you’re debating between eggshell versus satin paint, consider which suits your bathroom’s needs best. 

These pros and cons relate to standard flat paint finishes, with eggshell being slightly more durable than matte finishes.

• Behr® Marquee Interior Matte

• Sherwin-Williams® Premium Interior Latex Matte Finish

• Benjamin Moore® Regal Select Interior Paint - Eggshell

• Valspar® Signature Interior Flat Paint + Primer

What to Consider When Choosing a Bathroom Paint 

It’s not just the finish you want to focus on when selecting the best paint for your bathroom. Because the bathroom is such a humid environment, paint that discourages mold and mildew growth and is resistant to moisture buildup will perform better and last longer. The type of paint you use can make a difference as well. Look for the following properties during your paint search.

Moisture Repellent Properties

If your bathroom isn’t well-ventilated and frequently fogs up with condensation, look for paint with moisture-repellent properties. You might see them marketed as “washable” because the tighter paint particles mean dirt and water won’t penetrate the finish.

Mold and Mildew Resistance

A moisture-resistant paint means minimal mold and mildew buildup. But some paints also have antimicrobial or fungicide additives, which is ideal for avoiding unsightly, harmful black blobs in your bathroom. Keeping your bathroom well-ventilated also helps prevent mold from accumulating.

Oil vs. Latex Paint

Oil-based rather than latex paints were historically a popular choice for bathrooms. They’re durable, easy to clean, and moisture-resistant. On the downside, they release high levels of harmful odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Nowadays, plenty of latex (water-based) paints offer these qualities while being safer, quicker to apply and dry, and more environmentally friendly.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Paint Your Bathroom

The cost to paint a bathroom ranges from $200 to $500 on average. However, bathroom size and complexity are the biggest cost factors, and your cost may exceed the average range for some projects. For example, expect to pay up to $900 for a full repainting job that includes the walls, ceilings, and trim.

Many homeowners take on painting projects themselves, and bathrooms are often small enough to be manageable, even for beginners. However, bathrooms often involve tight corners and plumbing fixtures that make DIY painting challenging. Instead of risking an improper DIY paint job that doesn't look or perform as intended, you can hire an interior painter near you. If you can afford the additional cost of labor, you'll save yourself time and guarantee a professional-looking outcome.