What Is The Best Paint Finish For Your Bathroom?

Any bathroom renovation is rife with opportunities for mistakes—don't let your choice of wall paint be one of them.

When picking out wall paint for your bath, you have so many options regarding brand, hue, and finish. The paint world is your oyster, but there's one essential thing to remember: Of all your choices, the paint finish is the most important. Why finish? Because few rooms produce as much dampness as the bath. Here are the paint finishes that are right for your bathroom.

The Right Sheen

The widespread consensus is that paints with shiny finishes are both easier to keep clean and more resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew than flat finishes. That's why paints with shinier finishes are better choices for walls in the bath, a space notorious for the amount of moisture—and potential mold and mildew—it generates. The mistake, then, is choosing a flat finish for your bathroom walls.

In terms of actual paint finishes, Glidden recommends using either satin or semi-gloss. They say, “Generally, the shinier the paint sheen, the easier it is to clean and the better it resists moisture. Many people recommend using a semi-gloss in bathrooms since it virtually repels moisture.”

Semi-gloss is easy to clean and can be used on the walls, trim, and vanity. Satin paint is ideal for high-traffic rooms and stands up to regular cleaning and scrubbing. Use it on walls, trim, and ceilings.

While flat paint is good for hiding imperfections, it isn’t recommended for bathrooms because it doesn’t hold up to a lot of scrubbing and absorbs dirt and moisture. Moisture not only encourages mold and mildew, it can also cause paint to peel. Some paint brands have specially formulated flat or matte finishes designed for bathrooms, so look for those specifications.

Before You Paint

Before breaking out your paintbrush, clean the bathroom walls first so you'll start with a clean surface. Remove any existing mildew with a water and bleach solution (crack a window or turn on the exhaust fan while scrubbing). Those searching for good paint to use in the bath might want to consider the Valspar Reserve Interior Paint, which promises washability, a mildew-resistant finish, and one-coat coverage. Check, check, and check! If mold is already an issue, you also might want to look into a mold-killing primer.

Shinier finishes show imperfections, so make sure to prep your walls well by patching holes and smoothing uneven surfaces. Before you invest in a gallon of paint, make sure to sample the color and finish on your walls. The color may look different in the store, and you’ll be able to see if the amount of sheen is right for the room.

Paint Color Inspiration

Need inspiration to kick off your DIY project? From creamy white to powder pink, we're swooning over these paint colors for bathrooms. Or browse through 12 relaxing bathroom retreats with the soaking tubs of our dreams.

Keep in mind: If you don't use paint with a semi-gloss or satin finish on the walls in the bath, you may find yourself with tougher cleaning duties in the future—and that may even include battling mold. Who's ready for a reno?