What’s the Best Type of Paint for a Bathroom?

The best type of paint for a bathroom is usually water-based latex paint, and most homeowners prefer a satin or eggshell finish because they balance sheen with ease of cleaning and moisture resistance. There are many things to consider before choosing a paint for your bathroom remodel, though, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss all of the factors to think about to help you decide, but if you want a quick answer, go with a water-based latex paint with a satin finish, and consider an interior paint with antimicrobial properties, like Ovation Plus with a satin finish from Sherwin-Williams.

Quick Takeaways

• Water-based latex paint is the best paint for a bathroom in most cases, as it’s easy to apply, won’t yellow as much as oil-based paint, and stands up well to moisture.

• Eggshell and satin finishes are preferred for bathrooms because they aren’t overly shiny, resist moisture better than matte finishes, and can easily be scrubbed clean.

• No matter what type of paint you use, you should always apply a coat of moisture-blocking primer to prevent mold growth behind your walls.

The Best Type of Paint for a Bathroom

There are three main types of paint you can choose for your bathroom walls and ceiling: oil-based paint, latex paint, and acrylic paint. In our opinion, a water-based latex paint is the best option for bathroom walls and ceilings.

Latex Paint

Latex paint is the best paint for bathrooms. It has a high water and moisture resistance, so it will protect your walls from the humidity in a bathroom and is unlikely to peel as a result of moisture. This property also makes it easy to clean, so you can wipe down walls to remove water spots, mineral deposits, and grime as needed.

Latex paint is easy to apply and get a smooth finish, making it ideal for DIY painting projects. It also remains slightly flexible, so it can “breathe” with the frequent changes in humidity that a bathroom sees. It’s not as durable as acrylic or oil paint, so it may fade or wear on high-touch surfaces, but it’s also more affordable, so touch-ups won’t be as expensive.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is the second-best paint for bathrooms, in our expert opinion. It’s more expensive than latex paint, but it stands up better to scrubbing and abrasions, so it may be best if you have multiple family members — especially children who are prone to making messes. It’s also more water-resistant, meaning it will last longer in a bathroom and do a better job of preventing mold and moisture behind your walls.

Acrylic paint gives off more volatile organic compounds (VOCs), so it’s less eco-friendly, and you have to take greater care not to breathe in fumes while you paint. It’s a bit harder to get a professional finish, so it may not be ideal for beginner DIYers.

Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paint is the most durable paint for a bathroom. It has the highest level of water resistance and will stand up to touching and cleaning better than the other options.

There are many downsides to consider, though:

• Oil-based paint can yellow over time, especially when exposed to UV radiation. If you have large windows or a skylight in your bathroom, you should avoid oil-based paint. 

• It gives off more VOCs than the other options.

• It’s the most expensive paint option.

• Oil-based paint is challenging to apply, so it’s not ideal for a DIY bathroom remodel.

That said, if you’re hiring a pro to get the job done and want maximum durability, oil-based paint may be a good option for your bathroom remodel.

The Best Paint Finish for a Bathroom

In addition to the type of paint, you’ll also have to choose a paint finish for your bathroom. You have five options: 

• Flat/matte

• Eggshell

• Satin

• Semi-gloss

• Gloss

We’ve ordered this list by sheen from lowest to highest. Note that lower sheen levels hide wall imperfections better and are more affordable. Here’s more information about each finish.

Flat/Matte Finish

Let’s get this out of the way: Flat or matte paint isn’t right for a bathroom. While this finish hides drywall imperfections very well and doesn’t look overly shiny, it has the lowest moisture resistance and can get damaged if you scrub it. For a high-touch, moist room like a bathroom, you should avoid this finish.

Eggshell Finish

Eggshell is the best paint finish for a bathroom, in our opinion. It balances cost, sheen, and ability to hide wall imperfections well. It’s more resistant to moisture than a flat paint finish, and light scrubbing will keep it clean without doing damage.

Satin Finish

Satin is the second-best bathroom paint finish. Satin paint has a higher sheen than eggshell paint, so it will make your bathroom feel lighter and brighter. It’s more resistant to scrubbing and moisture, and it’s only moderately more expensive. It will show wall imperfections more readily, though.

Semi-Gloss Finish

A semi-gloss finish may be best if you don’t have windows in your bathroom. Semi-gloss has a higher sheen level than eggshell and satin, so it can really brighten up a dark bathroom. In sun-filled bathrooms, though, it could be too much. 

Semi-glass paint has a higher water resistance than the previous options, is easier to clean, and will help avoid moisture and mold issues.

Gloss Finish

A gloss finish could work in a dark bathroom, but it’s not ideal. High-gloss paint has the highest water resistance and is the easiest to clean, but most homeowners find a glossy finish to be far too shiny for walls and ceilings. Gloss is a great finish for trim, though.

How to Choose the Best Paint for Your Bathroom

There are a few key things you should consider to make sure you get the best bathroom paint for your space.

• Water resistance: All bathroom surfaces should be water-resistant. Higher sheen levels will add progressively more water resistance for any type of paint. Oil-based paint is the most water-resistant, but latex and acrylic are preferred for other properties.

• Durability: Bathrooms are high-touch rooms, so durability is key. Latex paint with an eggshell or satin finish has good durability, plus many other favorable properties. Consider a semi-gloss or gloss finish if you have children.

• Sheen: If you have windows in your bathroom, a high sheen level could look too shiny. Most homeowners prefer eggshell or satin finishes because they have a moderate shine while still offering high moisture resistance and ease of cleaning.

• Antimicrobial properties: Some paints are formulated with antimicrobial properties that make them mold- and mildew-resistant.

• VOC content: VOCs are hazardous to your health. Use a paint with a low VOC content, like latex paint, to keep yourself and your family safe.

• Ease of application: If you’re DIYing, make sure to go with a paint that’s easy to apply, like a water-based latex product.

• Ease of cleaning: Bathrooms get dirty quickly. Choose a paint finish like eggshell or satin that is washable and can stand up to some scrubbing.

• Discoloration: If you have windows in your bathroom, avoid oil-based paints, which will yellow quickly and look dingy in a sun-filled bathroom.

FAQ: Best Paint for Bathrooms

A water-based latex ceiling paint with an eggshell finish is best for bathroom ceilings. This paint has good moisture resistance to avoid mold growth, will hide some surface imperfections, and can stand up to the occasional cleaning your bathroom ceiling might need. It’s usually best to go one sheen level lower on ceilings than on the walls, so you can go up to satin on the ceiling if you choose semi-gloss or gloss finishes for your walls.

A water-based alkyd paint is the best option for a bathroom vanity. Alkyd paint is highly water-resistant and durable, so it’s ideal for a high-touch surface like bathroom cabinets that will often get wet from humidity and splashes. It’s also easy to clean and will stand up to scrubbing.

Yes, you should apply one to two coats of high-quality primer before applying your first coat of paint to your bathroom walls and ceilings. Primer makes the application process easier and can also add protection from humidity, moisture, and mold, especially if you choose a primer with antimicrobial properties. Primer will also help prevent your paint from peeling in the presence of moisture.