Finishes that cope with steam
Bathroom Painting and Decorating
Bathroom painting and decorating is about finishes that cope with steam: the walls and ceiling need thorough preparation and a moisture resistant paint, so the surface does not flake, blister or hold onto condensation, and the woodwork needs a tough finish that can be wiped clean.
This page explains how we decorate bathrooms and en-suites, from preparing tired ceilings to working neatly around the suite. For typical prices, see our bathroom painting cost page.
Why bathrooms need a different approach
No other room sees as much moisture. Every shower and bath fills the room with warm, wet air, which settles on the coldest surfaces, usually the ceiling and outside walls. Standard paint in that setting tends to soften, peel and mark.
Bathroom specific paints are formulated to resist moisture and cope with regular wiping. They do not replace good ventilation, but they give the surface a far better chance of staying sound between redecorations.
Preparation comes first
Most bathroom repaints start with a ceiling that has been stained or flaked by steam. Loose paint is scraped back, the surface is cleaned, and any marks from mould are treated and cleaned before painting, so they do not bleed back through the new finish.
Walls are filled and sanded with dustless equipment, and woodwork around doors, boxing and skirting is sanded and primed where bare. Silicone and grout are left to the bathroom fitter unless they are part of the agreed work.
Working around the suite
In a finished bathroom we are painting around a bath, basin, toilet and tiles, often in a small space. Everything that stays is protected before we start, and edges against tiles and fittings are cut in by hand for a clean line.
Because bathrooms are small, the order of work matters. Ceiling first, then walls, then woodwork, with enough time between coats for the paint to dry in a room that can be cool and damp.
Ventilation helps the paint last
The single biggest thing that helps bathroom paint last is getting the steam out. Running the extractor during and after showers, opening a window where possible and keeping the room warm all reduce condensation on the ceiling.
If mould keeps returning quickly after cleaning, it is usually a ventilation problem rather than a paint problem, and it is worth looking at the extractor before redecorating again.
En-suites and cloakrooms
En-suites are often smaller and less well ventilated than the main bathroom, so the same care applies, and sometimes more. Downstairs cloakrooms see less steam but a lot of use, so a wipeable, hard wearing finish still makes sense.
We can decorate a bathroom on its own or as part of a wider job, and every job starts with a free written quote after a visit.
Colours and finishes for small rooms
Bathrooms are often small and lit by a single window or artificial light, so colour behaves differently than in larger rooms. Soft, light shades make a compact bathroom feel more open, while deeper colours can make a larger bathroom feel warm and enclosed in a good way.
The sheen of the paint matters as well. A finish with a slight sheen wipes clean more easily and copes better with splashes, which suits walls near the basin and bath. Painted woodwork such as boxing, doors and skirting takes knocks and damp towels, so a tough satin or eggshell finish makes sense there.
Common questions
What paint is best for a bathroom?
A moisture resistant bathroom paint on walls and ceilings, with a tough wipeable finish on woodwork.
Why does my bathroom ceiling paint peel?
Usually condensation softening standard paint. Proper preparation, bathroom paint and better ventilation all help.
Can you paint around a fitted bathroom?
Yes. The suite and tiles are protected and edges are cut in by hand for a clean line.
Do you treat mould marks before painting?
Yes, marks are treated and cleaned so they do not show back through the new paint.
Where can I see bathroom prices?
Our bathroom painting cost page covers pricing, and every job starts with a free written quote.