Choosing paint for any project can be tough, but identifying the best paint for bathrooms can be downright overwhelming. You want pretty, but you also want something that doesn’t stain. You want elegant, but you definitely can’t use a paint that crumbles under steam. You want paint that is durable and also easy to clean.

With some research and shopping ahead of time, you can choose paint for bathrooms that is all of the above.

Stay Safe and Go Neutral

If you want to be bold with your paint colors, go for it. But we’d lean toward neutral-colored paint for your bathroom walls, and here’s why:

• It may be difficult to find bathtubs, sinks, and bathroom vanities that don’t clash with the color of the walls if they’re not neutral. Sure, you can paint your walls, say, a deep red and buy a white bathtub and it would look just fine. But what about the other fixtures in the bathroom, like the vanity and mirror? All white fixtures may be dull. If you really, really want a bathroom that has, say, yellow fixtures and black walls, you can make this bumblebee look happen. However, keep in mind that you might have to really search for specific fixtures such as these, and that might end up costing you more than you planned to spend.
• Painting a light color over dark paint can be more challenging. You’ll need a few coats before you cover up the darker paint underneath.
• If you’re planning to sell the home, neutral is generally best. That doesn’t apply only to paint for bathrooms, but also elements throughout your home. You know the story: You want shoppers to imagine their style in the home, not yours, and neutral colors allow them to get carried away.

Shiny Paint for Bathrooms is Often Favored

Satin or semigloss paint is easier to clean and repels moisture more effectively. It’s also more resistant to mildew, which grows when moisture soaks through paint.

If you prefer to use matte or flat paint anyway, purchase a high-quality brand of paint and make sure the bathroom is properly ventilated.

A Few Other Painting Tips

A bathroom can be extremely challenging to paint, especially because you can’t really remove the fixtures. Use plastic drop cloths, canvas drop cloths, and paper drop cloths as needed to protect the items in the bathroom. Use painter’s tape to protect molding and to clearly identify where your brush strokes should end.

After you’re done painting, don’t use the shower for at least a day, preferably a few days. Moisture can damage the paint if it’s still wet.

Hiring professional painters can make life easier on you, but if you do prefer to paint the bathroom yourself, make sure you invest in all of the proper paint brushes, rollers, paint trays, and other equipment. Purchase various types of brushes, as some styles are more ideal for specific corners or areas of the room than others are.