For homeowners on a budget, bathroom remodel costs can quickly become too expensive. But with some creativity and a little elbow grease, you can make aesthetic improvements to your space without the need for expensive materials and hours and hours of labor. One of the best bathroom upgrade ideas on a budget is to paint tile.
In this guide, we’ll explain when it’s possible, how to do it, and whether or not it’s right for your bathroom.
Quick Takeaways
It’s possible to paint tile in your bathroom to give it a fresh look, but you need to prep the surface and use the right kind of paint to ensure good adhesion.
Always make sure to prep your tiles before painting, which should include cleaning and light sanding.
Never paint over mold or mildew on your tiles or grout, as they’ll continue to grow under the paint and create additional problems over time.
Can You Paint Bathroom Tile?
The short answer is yes, you can paint bathroom tile. Painting tile is a quick way to carry out a bathroom makeover, and it can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over replacing the tile, not to mention days and days of work.
Painting tile in a bathroom comes with one important caveat: It’s best to paint tile that won’t see direct water contact. That means you may want to consider replacing shower tile instead of painting.
Paint on tiles will also not stand up for very long if it’s touched often, so, while you can paint bathroom floor tile, you should know that keeping it looking good will require ongoing maintenance and reapplication on a regular basis.
How to Paint Bathroom Tile
Painting bathroom tile is a relatively simple DIY home improvement project that most homeowners should be able to tackle. Just follow the steps below to get your DIY bathroom makeover started.
1. Clean and Prep the Surface
Painting over cracked, chipped, or dirty tiles won’t look good, so you first need to spend some time doing the prep work. For small cracks and chips, you can use a putty knife to apply some waterproof caulk and create a smooth surface. For more severely damaged areas, you may need to use thinset mortar to make the repairs.
Once you’re done with repairs, give your tiles and grout lines a good cleaning, and make sure there isn’t any mold or mildew growing on or between the tiles.
2. Sand Off the Glaze
Once your tiles are cleaned and repaired, use a random orbital sander to sand off the shiny glaze. You’ll likely need a low-grit sandpaper for this, so aim for between 80-grit and 120-grit.
This will reveal the porous, textured ceramic tile or porcelain tile below the surface, which will give your primer and paint a much better chance of adhering.
3. Apply Primer
Next, apply a primer designed specifically for tile or “tough-to-paint” surfaces. A good option is BEHR’s Bonding Primer, which costs around $55 a gallon. (One gallon should be enough to cover up to 400 square feet with a single coat.)
If you have large gaps between your tiles filled with grout, you won’t get as much coverage, as grout will soak up more primer than the actual tile.
Make your life a little easier by using a paint roller with at least a 3/4” nap designed for painting rough surfaces. You can use a paint brush for edges and grout if the roller isn’t cutting it.
4. Apply the Right Type of Paint for Tiles
Once your primer dries, you can apply the paint. Choose either a high-quality epoxy paint, an acrylic paint, or a paint specifically designed to cover tiles.
Tile paint will last the longest, followed by epoxy paint, and then acrylic. Some companies sell tile and tub refinishing kits, which include paint designed for tiles, but you will have fewer options when it comes to paint colors.
If you’re using epoxy paint, let the first coat dry completely and then roll on a second coat. If you’re using a tile painting kit, follow the manufacturer’s directions, which could include applying a hardener or sealer as the last step for better durability.
5. Let the Paint Dry Completely
No matter what type of paint you use, you should plan to let your painted tile sit untouched for at least 48 hours, and don’t introduce water or humidity to the room for at least that long. Letting your paint cure fully will reduce the chance of it peeling or bubbling off the tile over time.
Pros and Cons of Painting Bathroom Tile
There are a few upsides and drawbacks to consider before moving forward with your bathroom tile painting project.
Pro: Low Cost
The main upside to painting bathroom tile is that you’ll save quite a lot of money over replacing the tile. It costs an average of just $2 per square foot to paint tile, while tile replacement costs between $10 and $20 per square foot.
For a bathroom vanity backsplash, that’s an average savings of around $100, while painting a tiled wall over replacing could save you an average of $1,750.
Pro: DIY-Friendly
Painting bathroom tile is a very DIY-friendly project, so even beginner DIYers can save money on labor costs going this route. Replacing tile is also DIYable but is much more involved and takes more skill, so painting is a great alternative for handy homeowners on a budget.
Pro: Short Application Time
You’ll have to wait a few hours between coats of primer and paint, but you can feasibly finish this project in a single day. This is good news for homeowners who don’t want to wait multiple days to secure a fresh look with new tile.
Con: Shorter Lifespan
Painted tiles simply won’t last as long as new tiles, especially if they’re exposed to water and high levels of moisture in your shower surround or to heavy foot traffic on the floor. You may have to reapply tile paint every six months on a floor, every year or so in a shower, and every two years on other tile surfaces, like a tiled wall or backsplash.
New tile can last up to 100 years with minimal maintenance, including regrouting every 10 to 15 years.
Con: Less Value Added
Installing new custom tile is going to look better and boost your home value much more than simply painting the old tile. If you’re just looking to give your bathroom a fresh appearance, painting the tile can be a quick and easy way to do it, but for added home value, splurging on new tiling is the way to go.
FAQ: Can You Paint Bathroom Tile?
Yes, you can paint a tile floor in a bathroom, but there are some important things to consider before you do. First, you’ll need to avoid exposing your painted floor to foot traffic for at least 48 hours to allow the paint to cure. If you don’t have another bathroom in your home, losing that functionality can be a pretty significant drawback. Additionally, painted floor tiles will only stand up to foot traffic for around six months to a year, so be prepared to repaint the tiles regularly.
Yes, painting tile is always going to be more budget-friendly than replacing it. In fact, painting tile is between 80% and 90% cheaper than tile replacement. Not only will you save on materials, but you’ll also avoid labor costs if you’re comfortable painting your tiles yourself.
Painted tile can last for up to two years before needing a fresh coat of paint, but you’ll need to repair every year or so for tile in a shower surround that sees water and moisture, and as little as six months for painted floor tile that sees a lot of foot traffic.
Yes, you can apply tile paint directly over your tiles and grout to create a clean appearance. It’s best to apply primer designed for tiles beforehand to prevent the grout from soaking up too much paint and requiring additional coats.
Retiling a bathroom costs an average of around $2,000, but prices vary quite a bit, depending on how large of a surface area you need to cover. Retiling prices range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Retiling a vanity backsplash costs an average of $120, retiling a bathroom floor costs an average of $750, and retiling a walk-in shower costs around $2,000.
Dan was a property manager from 2015 to 2020, during which time he managed and oversaw the upkeep and repairs of over 2,000 residential properties. He uses that experience, as well as his extensive DIY knowledge, to bring reliable information to homeowners about renovations and home-related projects. Since 2020, he has been using his experience to write about home improvement, and his work has appeared on sites like USA Today, CNN, Angi, and Today’s Homeowner.