Bathroom Painting 101

Like it or not, you spend a fair amount of time in the bathroom. It’s worth it to make your bathroom a place you want to be.

But there are unique things to consider when it comes to bathroom painting. From types of paint to prep to methodology, painting a bathroom well requires that you make some simple adjustments to get great results.

If you’re interested in getting a quote on your bathroom painting job or any other interior painting work, please give us a call today to learn how Mt Hood Pro Painting can help.

If you’re not at that point, read on for answers to some of the bathroom painting questions that are out there.

What type of paint is best for a bathroom? What paint should I use in a bathroom to prevent mold? What sheen of paint should be used in a bathroom?

All of these questions are related, so we’ve put them together for a more complete answer.

There are particular kinds of paint which are formulated to resist mold and mildew. If your bathroom has particularly poor ventilation, going with one of these products is probably worth the investment.

Sheen is particularly important to consider when it comes to the bathroom. High traffic, high possibility for stains, high moisture in the air, and small space mean that you should go with something which is brighter and easy to clean. This leads us to the higher-gloss end of the sheen spectrum. High gloss itself is probably too much (use that on trim and maybe cabinets), but semi-gloss and satin are good options.

In the end, choose something which is bright – semi-gloss or satin in a lighter color. If you’d like the extra protection, go with something mold-resistant for your bathroom walls. Cabinets and trim should be painted with semi-gloss or high-gloss paints for durability and ease of cleaning.

One extra note: use a good brush or roller when working with higher-gloss paints on flat surfaces, as those marks will show much more readily.

What kind of paint do you use in a bathroom shower? Can I paint my shower walls?

You can indeed paint the walls of your shower, even over top of the walls of a prefab shower. You will want to use special epoxy/fiberglass paint for the job, so talk with a paint guru at your local paint store to get the best recommendations for what you’re trying to do.

What colors make a small bathroom look bigger? What is the best paint color for a small bathroom?

Bright colors make any room look bigger. Go for softer tones, though something with some color to it because that will help to hide unsightly stains and spots that just happen in the bathroom. You will want something that you can clean, but not a color that you find yourself having to clean all the time.

Can I paint over mildew on a bathroom ceiling?

Please don’t do that. You may think that painting over mildew will take care of the problem, but life finds a way.

It’s always essential to paint on a solid surface. That means properly killing and cleaning up any mold or mildew problem prior to applying paint.

Is it hard to paint a bathroom?

Unlike other, larger rooms, painting a bathroom is less about physical endurance and more about skill with the tools of the painting trade. If you know how to handle a brush well, then painting a bathroom isn’t too bad. If that’s not your strong suit, then it’ll take a bit longer, there will be more touch up, and you may end up with sub-par results.

How long should it take to paint a bathroom?

A professional painter will be able to finish a bathroom in 1-2 days. Variables that affect job hours include drying time and all the prep work that needs to happen in order to get a good result, including taping around the wide variety of fixtures that are found in the lavatory.

What is the average cost to paint a bathroom?

Painters will charge for a bathroom based on the square footage of the room or, more likely, the estimated number of hours required to complete the project. Beyond that, material costs will come into play.

A good, experienced painter is worth the money. They can get the job done better and more quickly, and probably have a better understanding of what works when it comes to materials. With all of these things factored in, expect to spend anywhere from $300-$1000 for painting a bathroom.

Really, doing an online search can’t tell you what you’re going to spend. But most professional painters will give free estimates – all you have to do is reach out and ask.

If you’re looking for bathroom painters in the Portland Metro Area, we’d love to discuss your project! Give us a call today.