Painting your house is not as easy as selecting a paint color and buying a can of paint. It’s also essential to carefully consider the type of paint you will use. Unlike other rooms in the house, bathrooms typically exhibit more moisture. Your choice of finish should withstand the humidity while also being easy to clean. Otherwise, you will waste time and money having to re-paint the bathroom all over again.
Selecting the Right Paint Finish for Your Bathroom Project
There are several finishes to choose from: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Since this wide variety can be confusing, we’re going to delve into each finish to determine which one is the better choice for your bathroom.
Flat finish: When it comes to covering an area, a flat finish does a great job, especially for light-traffic spaces of your home. However, it’s not the ideal choice for the bathroom for two reasons: flat paint absorbs moisture. Also, it doesn’t always hold up well in areas with frequent use. Some people may argue that you can use it in well-ventilated bathrooms with little to no condensation on the walls, but it’s not an ideal choice.
Eggshell finish: Eggshell has a slightly shinier finish, but it too absorbs moisture. The paint can peel when exposed to moisture on the bathroom walls.
Satin finish: Like the satin fabric, this type of finish has a soft sheen. It’s an excellent choice for bathrooms that are used less frequently.
Semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes: These are the ideal finish choices for any bathroom. Generally, the shinier a finish is, the easier to clean and the better it can repel moisture, and these two are the shiniest compared to the other finishes. Since a high-gloss finish may be too glossy and reflective for bathroom walls, a semi-gloss finish is an excellent choice. It is easy to clean and maintain without highlighting any imperfections that glossy paints can do.
Popular Bathroom Paint Colors
There is a limitless array of paint colors to choose from for your bathroom. While some colors are more popular than others, you can’t go wrong with shades of whites, grays, or blues. You can also add a bold splash of color to create a stunning accent wall. Some of the more popular bathroom color choices include:
Classic White: White is a timeless classic and is an excellent choice for creating an elegant master bathroom.
Blue-Gray: The subtle undertones of blue mixed with gray is ideal for a guest bathroom or master bath retreat.
Light Gray: The soft and neutral balance of gray makes it the perfect color choice for any bathroom in the house.
Yellow: Sometimes, only bold will do and yellow is another popular bathroom paint color that certainly fits the bill. It’s also an excellent choice for a child’s bathroom.
Anti-Microbial Paint for the Bathroom
Choosing the right paint is not just about preventing peeling; you want to avoid mold and mildew too. Anti-microbial paint contains additives to kill any existing mold, mildew, and other fungi on the walls and prevent its reoccurrence. It will also kill germs, bacteria, and viruses. Anti-microbial resistant paints have long been used in hospitals and other health care facilities. It is now a growing trend among consumers and is ideal for bathrooms.
