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How to paint a bathroom

Bathrooms offer a unique opportunity to create a dramatic impression in a functional space. Often smaller than other rooms of your home, bathrooms are great for experimenting with colour, decor and paint designs. However bathrooms aren't without challenges; water, steam and cleaning products can be tough on paint, which is why it is important to use the right products in the right way.

At The Paint Shed we stock an excellent range of bathroom friendly trade paints with ingredients that fight against mould, mildew and condensation ensuring the best possible paint job. Choose from best and  biggest trade paint brands including Dulux Trade, Johnstones Trade, Crown Paints and more.

Our customers are always keen to know the best approach for painting a bathroom, and we are here to help. Here's our step-by-step guide to ensuring long lasting adhesion and a professional finish.

Considerations

Before starting to paint your bathroom there are a few things to consider. Is the room well ventilated? Open windows or doors will help prevent condensation from building up in the room. Will you be painting near or in the bath or shower, if so it is advisable to apply an appropriate waterproof coating.

Choose a paint finish

A modern acrylic eggshell paint is preferable for the bathroom walls, and will help to address frequent moisture and cleaning issues. We also recommend acrylic eggshell paint for woodwork and trims in a bathroom.

Clear the room

Move any counter-top displays or accessories. Mask-off electrical outlet covers and remove cabinet door hardware, keeping all screws and fasteners together in a plastic bag for easy replacement. Tape small plastic bags around door knobs and fixtures.

Protect floors and woodwork

Cover the floors completely with drop cloths. If you use plastic rater than the fabric kind, cover it with newspaper to make it less slippery.

Tape along the top edge of the skirting using a painter's tape. Tape any doors, window frames or mouldings that are not going to be painted. This make cutting in faster and easier. Once you have applied the painter's tape to the skirting, pass over it with a putty knife to smooth out any bubbles and ensure adhesion. This will keep any paint from getting underneath the tape. (It’s easier to remove the tape while the paint is still wet)

Remove old paint and fill cracks

Use a scraper to remove any flaking paint and clear away debris from any holes or cracks with a dry paint brush. Make repairs with filler, leave to dry then sand-off.

Priming

Use a primer coat on bare wood, drywall, plaster repairs or plaster board to seal the surface. If you're painting the walls a colour which is significantly different from what was there before, then a primer coat is also recommended.

Paint the trim

It's best to paint the trim work before the walls are painted. Beginning with skirting boards, use a 2" angled tip paintbrush and paint around the room in one direction. Next, paint the window trim, door trim and any moulding.

Painting walls and ceilings

After using a brush to cut-in around trim, corners etc. leave to dry then use a roller for ceilings and walls. Try to glide the paint in one direction, moving quickly to maintain your wet edge and avoid excess pressure. If you have to take a break from painting, instead of rinsing the brush or roller, tightly wrap them in plastic wrap or an airtight plastic bag. The plastic wrap will keep the paint wet, so the roller can be reused later that day or even up to a couple days later.

Bathroom paint at The Paint Shed 

Shop our wide selection of high quality paints to get started on your bathroom today. With all the UK’s best paint brands on offer you are guaranteed a perfect finish. Shop all the necessary equipment in our tools and accessories section.

Have a question?

We're here to help. Get in touch by calling 033 3320 2369 or email [email protected] 

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