Painting the bathroom may seem easy, given its small size. However, many amateur painters and DIYers realise that the bathroom can be a tricky and challenging area to work on.
One reason for this is that this room has several immovable plumbing fixtures like the sink, water taps, toilet and bathtub, amongst others. Since you can’t take these out of the work area unlike the couch in your living room, you would need to be extra careful so that your paint won’t end up on them.
This bathroom is also constantly subjected to rising and falling humidity levels, making it more prone to mildew and moulds. So, on top of scraping off peeling paint, you may need to include getting rid of the fungi for your prep work tasks. You may even need to call a professional mould removal company if the damage is already extensive. Apart from the additional cost, the mould remediation process may take some time to finish. Hence, the paint job cannot be completed immediately.
Another challenge that amateur painters, especially first timers, encounter is choosing the right paint for the bathroom. Keep in mind, when choosing paints for bathrooms, durability should be the primary consideration followed by aesthetics.
What’s the Best Type of Paint for Bathrooms?
This area of the house takes a lot of abuse. For one, it is a high foot traffic room just like the kitchen. It is also constantly exposed to moisture. This is primarily because of the steam from showers and baths as well as the actual water from the sink and shower. For these reasons, the paint needs to withstand these things for it to last long.
So, what type of paint should you use in your bathroom? You need to use a paint that is resistant to moulds and at the same time, easy to clean. Nowadays, there’s what is called bathroom paint. It’s basically a type of paint specially formulated to withstand the harsh conditions in the bathroom. This kind of paint has a tougher finish, enabling you to wipe it without worrying about the paint coming off. It also has mildew inhibitors that help prevent the growth of mildew.
Admittedly, as compared to ordinary paints, bathroom paints are more expensive. The good news is that you do not need to use this type of paint to achieve a long-lasting paint job in the bathroom. Most of the ordinary paints available today, especially those from premium brands, already possess some of the properties that bathroom paints have like mould-resistance. All you have to do is get the right paint sheen.
High gloss paints are easier to clean and better at resisting moisture. For bathrooms, a semi-gloss paint sheen is what’s commonly recommended. You may also use satin or eggshell paint if you want something that’s less shiny. However, in the long run, these two may not hold up as well as high and semi-gloss paints do. Hence, it’s best to apply them in bathrooms which are rarely used like guest bathrooms.
What Paint Colours Are Ideal for Bathrooms?
Of course, picking the right paint isn’t just about durability; it’s also about aesthetics. Given the various paint colours available, choosing which one to use in the bathroom is understandably a difficult task.
Did you know that the bathroom has an impact on the overall value of your house? When it’s in tiptop condition and painted the right colour, it can fetch more money. According to reports, light blue is the ideal bathroom colour for houses on sale. Properties that have blue bathrooms got sold for €5,000 more. So, if you are selling your house, you may want to use this shade.
Meanwhile, if you are not selling your house, one way of making the colour selection process easier is to determine the mood you want your bathroom to have. If you want it to exude sophistication, go for neutral colours like cream and beige. For a positive and vibrant vibe, try colours from the red and yellow family. Meanwhile, use periwinkle, moss green or seagreen if you want it to feel relaxing and soothing.
Picking the best paint for bathrooms can be a daunting task, especially if you are doing this project for the first time. But it’s doable for as long as you are armed with the right information.
Need help choosing the right paint for bathrooms? Our professional residential painters can help you. Call us at 086 608 1817 / 085 139 0233 today!
