How to Choose the Right Paint Finish for Your Bathroom

At Re‑Bath, we know how transformative a bathroom remodel can be. Whether your current space no longer fits your needs, or you simply want to refresh the space, we’ll help you create a bathroom you’ll love now, and for years into the future. We’re with you every step of the way to make the remodel process effortless, from design and product selection to demo and installation.

Another way to effortlessly update your bathroom? A fresh coat of paint! Choosing the best paint finish for your next bathroom remodel project is just as essential, for both style and maintenance. Our Re‑Bath designers assist in paint color and finish selection during free, in-home consultations. In this blog post, we’ll explore the five main types of paint finishes—gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, and flat/matte—and learn how to choose the best one for your bathroom, considering factors like durability, moisture resistance, and ease of maintenance.

Top 5 Types of Paint Finishes

A paint’s finish, or sheen, refers to the amount of light reflected off a painted surface when it’s dry. In addition to affecting how shiny a painted surface looks when dry, the finish also affects how the final color looks, how durable the paint is and how easy it is to clean.

There are five basic paint finishes:

• Gloss: Paint with a gloss finish is highly durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain. However, it can be too shiny for some tastes, which is why it is most often used for trim and, in the bathroom, on cabinetry.
  
• Semi-gloss: Semi-gloss paints provide good moisture resistance, durability and ease of care. Though they don’t have the same shiny finish as gloss, semi-gloss paints still reflect light, helping to brighten the spaces in which they are used.  
• Satin: Less shiny than semi-gloss, satin-finish paints still provide good moisture resistance and are relatively easy to clean, offering a good balance between durability and appearance.
• Eggshell: Paints with an eggshell finish are a bit more matte than satin, and as a result, they don’t have the same durability and moisture resistance. Walls painted with eggshell finish paint will look smooth and flawless, but they won’t stay that way in high-traffic areas, as eggshell finishes are easy to mar, even with a splash of water.
• Flat: Also known as matte paint, flat paint has no reflectivity and creates a near-flawless surface. It absorbs light, which can make colors appear more consistent and hide blemishes in the wall. However, flat paint is difficult to clean without accidentally scraping it off the wall, and it attracts dirt and stains readily.

Which Paint Sheen is Right for Your Bathroom?

The most commonly used paint finishes for bathroom walls are semi-gloss and satin. They’re especially well suited to the higher humidity levels of family bathrooms that get a lot of use. Whether you choose satin or semi-gloss for your bathroom depends on the factors we listed above.

Gloss and semi-gloss sheens work well for trim and cabinetry. They are durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean. If you use a different sheen on the walls, they also provide a subtle contrast.

While eggshell and matte paints aren’t recommended for bathrooms generally, powder rooms can be an exception, especially if the counter and backsplash provide adequate protection from inevitable drips of water that can end up on the walls when people wash and dry their hands.

Bathroom Paint Finish Maintenance Tips

Deciding on a paint finish for the bathroom involves considering several factors to ensure you’re pleased with the durability, appearance, and ease of maintenance of your painting project. Here are key points to think about:

• Moisture resistance: Most bathrooms are high-moisture areas, so you need a paint finish that can withstand humidity and water exposure without peeling or developing mold. Look for paint specifically labeled as “bathroom paint” or “moisture-resistant.”  A low-traffic powder room is the exception. 
• How the bathroom is used (and by whom): There’s a big difference in wear and tear between a bathroom that’s used by the kids or the whole family and one that’s used by only one or two people. Bathrooms in which splashy bubble baths and steamy showers are regular occurrences pose different cleaning and maintenance challenges than lower-traffic baths. 
• Ease of cleaning: Bathrooms can get dirty quickly due to moisture and personal care products. A paint finish that is easy to wipe down and maintain will keep your bathroom looking fresh with minimal effort.
• Resistance to mold and mildew: If bathroom mold and mildew are a concern, look for paint that incorporates mold and mildew inhibitors to prevent their growth in the humid bathroom environment.

Selecting the right paint finish is just one way to enhance your bathroom’s appearance and ensure its longevity. For expert guidance, schedule a FREE in-home consultation, and a Re‑Bath designer will help you create a bathroom that fits your unique style and needs.