Painting a bathroom adds freshness and the excitement of color when remodeling a bathroom. Read on to learn about painting your bathroom, and get some great bathroom painting ideas.

Understanding Bathroom Paint

Because bathrooms get wet and steamy, they present unique painting challenges. Not all kinds of paint will hold up during normal bathroom use. The higher the gloss of a type of paint, the more that paint repels moisture. Here are some bathroom paint basics to help you choose the variety that is best before remodeling a bathroom:

• Eggshell: This paint has a slight, washable sheen, and is best suited for rooms without moisture. It may not be a good choice for a full bathroom with a high-traffic bath or shower.
• Flat: Flat paint has a beautiful matte finish, however it is hard to clean and works best in low traffic areas. Since it absorbs moisture, flat paint does not work well in most bathrooms.
• High-gloss: A great choice for bathroom paint, this type has a high gloss that effectively repels moisture as efficiently as coating your walls in plastic.
• Satin: With a bit more gloss than eggshell paint, satin paint repels enough moisture to make it appropriate for half bathrooms or low-traffic full guest bathrooms.
• Semi-gloss: This paint has enough sheen to repel moisture with a less intense shine. Semi-gloss is a good choice for most bathrooms.

You can also purchase specific bathroom paint while remodeling a bathroom. Some of these claim to prevent mold and mildew for up to five years, and offer lower-gloss finishes. Special bathroom paint is a good choice in bathrooms that have a history of mold and mildew accumulation.

Prepare for Painting a Bathroom

Even though most bathrooms are relatively small, angles and corners can make them challenging to paint. Proper preparation will make your job easier and more fun:

• Get rid of clutter: Removing clutter will save you time and frustration. Remove items from shelves and walls, including artwork, hooks, mirrors, towel bars and switch plates. Take the tank off your toilet to avoid paint drips.
• Clean: Wipe walls free of fingerprints or any residue from sprays such as deodorant or hairspray.
• Repair caulk: Apply fresh caulk along the edges of your shower or tub enclosure, and anywhere countertops and cabinets meet walls.
• Prime: When painting a light color over a darker one, a coat of primer will keep your new bathroom paint color looking true.

Bathroom Painting Ideas

You don’t have to just paint your bathroom walls one color. Here are some fun bathroom painting ideas to give your bathroom a designer look while remodeling a bathroom:

• Paint vertical stripes to make your ceiling look higher.
• Sponge-paint your walls for a fun, unique look.
• Try bathroom tile painting on tiles that don’t regularly get wet.
• Use a porcelain crackle technique for an antique look.