Painting any area inside the house is a big project. Whether you’re painting an entire room, your home’s entire interior, or just an accent wall, there are many considerations you need to make that you won’t have to worry about outside. The bathroom, like the kitchen, carries its own set of considerations you must be wary of if you want to finish your project this century and love the product of your work.

In general, your bathroom paint must be able to withstand a good deal of moisture in the air. You have to be careful about getting paint into the grout or other difficult-to-clean areas as well. Be sure to use these tips to ensure that your bathroom looks like new when you’re finished. 

Use Moisture-Ready Paint

The three main types of paint available to use in your bathroom are satin finish, semi-gloss, or mildew resistant. The mildew-resistant paint is specialized for bathrooms and moist areas and makes it difficult for mold and mildew to latch on and grow on its surface. Satin and semi-gloss paint usually have the same effect as the mildew-resistant paint, their smooth finishes making it difficult for the pesky organisms to take hold. If your bathroom lacks ventilation or sees more use than usual, go for the mildew-resistant paint, which can usually hold up to normal wear and tear much like its semi-gloss or satin counterparts.

As always test areas of your bathroom with different colors to find your perfect match. Glossier finishes will make most colors appear brighter.

Clean the Walls Thoroughly Before You Paint

Cleaning and preparing a surface is painting 101, but it’s even more important in the bathroom, where the walls can be dirtier and you need more protection than normal from moisture. If there’s any kind of dirt or other substance on your walls when you paint it, the paint job won’t last as long, and you’ll find yourself re-painting before you know it. 

The best way to clean your bathroom walls is with a simple solution of one part bleach and three parts water. Scrub your walls (not too hard!) with a sponge or mildly abrasive pad. Make sure that you cover every surface you intend to paint. 

Paint the Trim, then Fill in the Walls

Painting the trim first is a good painting tip in any room, but I wanted to mention it for the bathroom because there are often large tiled areas on the walls. You don’t want to get paint all over your nice tile work, and it can be difficult to protect these areas while you’re painting. The best way to protect your tile is to carefully, using a small brush, paint the trim area first. You’re less prone to make a mistake with the trim using a brush (as opposed to a roller), then you can fill the walls with your main color or the same color later.

For more painting tips and or for a free estimate on your next painting project, contact Ireland’s Finest Painters today.