The 6 Best Bathroom Paints to Spruce up Your Space

Choosing the best bathroom paint for your space will work two-fold – it’ll freshen up your room without breaking the bank and it’ll help keep moisture and mould from causing unsightly marks on your walls and ceilings. 

Bathrooms are, by nature, damp, wet environments that need specialist bathroom paint to stave off mould and condensation. That’s why bathroom paints are specifically formulated for use in humid rooms. 

And there aren't just 50 shades of white emulsion to choose from. Bathroom paints are available in an array of colours, so whether you’re painting a wall in a family bathroom or sprucing up a shower room, you’ll find a shade to suit.

But, there’s a whole host of ranges out there so how do you pick the best bathroom paint for your space? Here’s a round-up from high street retailers and specialist brands. 

Best Bathroom Paints

If you're looking for a good all-rounder that's tough on moisture, is mould resistant and gives you plenty of options in the colour stakes, then the Dulux Easycare Bathroom+ Emulsion is a great go-to option to decorate your bathroom. 

Its MouldTec formulation guarantees protection against mould for up to five years, before you have to dig out the rollers and give the walls an extra coat. Plus it's tough on steam and moisture with a soft sheen finish.

If you're painting over a strong colour you may need to apply more than two coats.

If you're looking for a bathroom paint that will offer all the credentials to prevent mould, condensation and damp, as well as being spoilt for choice with 24 colours, then this brand is worth a look.

With in insulating thermal barrier, the HQC bathroom paint reduces heat loss as long as you follow the instructions and apply at least two coats to your walls. You can apply the paint with a brush, roller or spray it on. You can even wallpaper over the paint and still benefit from the thermal barrier.

Available in five sizes - from 0.5L up to 10L - you've got coverage options to match the size of the room you are painting.

This versatile 99% solvent free bathroom paint from Crown can be used on walls, ceilings, wood and metal - a great option if you want to use the same paint on your skirting boards, walls and door frames!

The breath easy formula boasts built-in mould guard technology and is designed to resist condensation.

If you're looking for a long-lasting bathroom paint then Ronseal's anti-mould product offers up to six years' protection.

With a quick drying time of two hours, easy to clean wipeable emulsion and moisture and steam resistant, this is a good all-rounder.

It's available in Silk and Matt finishes.

This 3-in-1 paint from Dryzone is moisture resistant, reduces mould growth and it creates a surface that's warm to the touch

If your bathroom walls are prone to mould growth and condensation then a specialist product like this Dryzone Anti Condensation paint is well worth a look.

It uses advanced glass microsphere technology and includes an open-pore structure that makes it resistant to moisture and allows walls to breathe; it has a preservative surface effect that discourages mould and a thermal effect that creates a surface that's warmer to the touch - a nice bonus in a bathroom!

If you're renovating a bathroom that has small patches of penetrating damp that you'd like to seal before painting then the Polycell One Coat Damp Seal gets a thumbs up.

You don't have to paint the entire wall, you can focus on the spots that need coating, which makes it a prep job before you paint over it with your chosen bathroom paint.

It is recommended for use on plaster, cement and stone so it's an option for period property bathroom renovations as well.

What Type of Paint is Best for a Bathroom?

When it comes to picking the best bathroom paint for your space it sounds obvious, but pick a pot that’s definitely fit for purpose in a bathroom. Here are a few key things to think about...

Drying time

Painting any room and having to wait a day or two for it to dry is inconvenient at the best of times but the thought of having to wait for paint to dry for days in a bathroom is a real no-no. Especially if you’ve only got one bathroom or a family who are in and out of it all day, every day. So when choosing a bathroom paint, a quick drying time is a must! 

You'll want it to be touch-dry within a couple of hours to recoat and to dry quickly enough for you to use the room again within the day. 

Maintenance

Look at paint longevity — how long is the paint mould resistant for? You don’t want to have to repaint within a year so check if the bathroom paint comes with any guarantees.

Many bathroom paint products are tough and wipeable, which is definitely a bonus in a bathroom.  

Coverage

If you're buying a specialist paint to seal and cover damp, mouldy patches then you might only need a small tin to touch up where you need to. 

Equally, if you're painting the entire room check how much the 1L and 2.5L pots cover so that you don't run out or the opposite, have loads left over.

Odour

Some products can have high VOC levels and can be very potent so if you can't ventilate the room well, have children or pets for example, then opt for a low odour option. This is also key if you want to use the room quite quickly after decorating (as mentioned in Drying Time above).

How We're Testing Bathroom Paint

There's a lot to consider when buying the best bathroom paint for your home, and the Homebuilding & Renovating team is getting hands-on experience with the products in this buying guide to help you feel confident in choosing the right product for you. 

In our ongoing independent reviews we are testing the finish and drying time to gauge each efficacy, and assessing key factors including coverage, colours available and value for money. We’re also reviewing everything in-between from how well a paint prevents mould growth and condensation, as well as which households will most benefit from buying a specific product. 

Our team is passionate about DIY and home improvement (which probably won’t be a surprise) so we already have detailed knowledge about the brands that make these paints. Moreover, we have taken into account user reviews when compiling this buying guide, and gleaned key information from our sister sites such as Real Homes and Ideal Home to help you find the best paint for your bathroom.