In addition to being the Mecca of ghosts, ghouls, and goblins, October is National Kitchen and Bath Month. That’s a little more up our alley, and to honor the special occasion, we have a few suggestions for finding the perfect bathroom paint. Of course every bathroom is different, so exact colors, finishes, and pairings must be a decision made by homeowners with their specific space in mind, but these general considerations can help you on your journey to find the perfect paint for your bathroom.
Color 
We know, we said we wouldn’t make the judgment call on color. We’ll stick to that. We’re just here to remind you to sample your color before you add it to the whole bathroom. Doing so doesn’t give the full effect, obviously, but it can give you a sense of how a hue will work with the tile of the floor or the stone of the countertop.
As a rule, whites are soft and neutral but show staining quite clearly as a bathroom paint choice. Other soft neutrals with pink undertones give a space a warm and healthy glow, especially nice for bathroom selfies in the mirror.
Moisture Resistance
Perhaps the single most important feature of the bathroom paint you choose is its ability to keep out moisture. The bathroom is a wet and humid place: relatively small, generally poorly ventilated, warm, and full of water. The conditions also make for prolonged drying time, be that coats of bathroom paint or droplets on the wall or in the grout. This can be the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew in the walls if you don’t take steps to prevent it.
While you may not have much to worry about if your bathroom has never had any history of mold problems, it doesn’t hurt to be safer than sorry. You can mitigate microbial mishap by choosing your bathroom paint’s finish carefully.
Finish
Glossy finishes have historically been better at resisting high moisture levels. They form a hard coat that serves as a tougher barrier against water, allowing it to bead and drip to the floor rather than seeping into the wood or drywall underneath the paint. The higher the gloss, the more water is repelled. Enamel paints have even been compared to glass or a dry-erase board in how they look, feel, and behave, and you should know that they make visible droplets bead on the wall.
On the other hand, paints with low sheen (paints with eggshell or flat finishes) are softer by design and tend to absorb moisture, which is not ideal in a bathroom. In the middle of the spectrum, semi-gloss is relatively versatile in bathroom paint finishes, giving a soft appearance akin to flatter finishes while still having the water resistance of a more high-sheen paint. This makes it a good choice whether you are painting bathroom walls or cabinets.
Primer
Primer laid before a coat of bathroom paint can also help to keep the water out. A good bathroom primer prevents moisture absorption by doing three things: sealing the porous surfaces underneath, giving a uniform undercoat to which the paint can stick, and stopping stains and fungal freeloaders from bleeding through. It also helps cover over previous dark paint to boot.
The merits of primer correlate directly with the surface being painted. Primer is absolutely essential if you plan to paint over tile, and it is also a good idea if you’re coating bathroom drywall or wood.
Antimicrobial Additives
If unaugmented paint isn’t enough, know that it is possible to add antimicrobial components to many kinds of paint to further protect them from fungus and bacteria. This extra precaution serves as a barrier to mitigate unsightly and odorous growth.
Paint on a Clean Slate
Before you paint, make sure you clean your bathroom walls thoroughly. The bathroom is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, and it is important to make sure that they don’t counterproductively get trapped beneath your new layer of paint.
The Perfect Bathroom Paint Job with Brush Brothers
There are so many things to consider when choosing the perfect bathroom paint, but you don’t have to fly by the seat of your pants. If you need suggestions on the right finish, color, or brand of paint for your bathroom, our expert team can help. If you want a professional paint job in your space, we’ve got you covered. Don’t leave any part of your bathroom paint job to chance—give Brush Brothers a call today.
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