How To Choose The Best Paint For Your Bathrooms

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PAINT FOR YOUR BATHROOMS

Maybe you are not quite ready to remodel the bathroom in your Los Angeles home but are thinking a nice new coat of paint would make all the difference. That sounds like a great weekend DYI project. A new paint color, some updated bathroom accessories, and fresh towels will give you just the pick-me-up you are looking for.

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED, TAKE THE TIME TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND OUT HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PAINT FOR YOUR BATHROOMS.

• What are the 2021 trends for bathroom colors?
• What do you need to do to prepare the walls before starting with a new coat of paint?
• How do you prevent mold and peeling paint?
• Can you paint on tile walls?

2021 WALL COLOR TRENDS

According to Martha Stuart, the bathroom trends we can expect to see for 2021 are:

• Varied shades of pale blues
• Deep saturated greens to create some real drama.
• Warm neutrals for a spa-like atmosphere
• Soft yellow tones accessorized with natural materials
• All white bathroom to create that clean and relaxed feel. She recommends lite grey grout if you want a more updated look.

CHOOSE WALL COLORS THAT DON’T AFFECT MIRROR REFLECTIONS.

The one thing to keep in mind when choosing the paint for your bathrooms update is how it will interact with the lighting in the bathroom. If you are painting your powder room, this might not be a concern and you can go for a dramatic effect. If this is the main bathroom where you get ready, do your makeup, and require lighting that reflects how you will look in natural light, it is essential to remember that natural walls may be the right choice, simply because they make you look your look best. A darker color may cast shadows or reflect an unflattering hue on your skin. Whites, grays, and pastels are popular bathroom colors because they flatter your skin and create a relaxing space. Flattering colors are critical for a room that gets so much use.

THE BEST PAINT FOR YOUR BATHROOMS SHOULD OFFER MOLD AND MILDEW RESISTANCE.

Let’s face it; bathrooms are a wet space and ripe for mold and mildew. Often bathrooms do not have sufficient ventilation. Most do not have windows, so our bathrooms are steeped in moisture most of the time. In Los Angeles, California, the state takes mold very seriously. Mold can cause severe health issues, with long-term health effects if not recognized and treaded.

To protect you and your family and the future value of your home, keeping it mold-free is a top priority.

Fortunately, there are many options of paint with anti-microbial additives that resist mold. Check out  Benjamin Moore’s Aura Bath And Spa Matte Finish (Benjamin Moore) and Zinsser’s Perma-White ( Amazon) Once on the wall, these paints will kill existing mold and prevent new mold from growing.

USE A MOISTURE-RESISTANT PRIMER TO PREVENT PEELING.

Peeling paint occurs when moisture seeps between the paint and its surface. The most suspectable areas are the unventilated areas, like the shower or bath, where steam rises and gets trapped. If you have the option of a bathroom window to provide additional ventilation, it can make a big difference in lowering the bathroom’s humidity. Also, if you have an older home, you might want to replace the bathroom fan with a more modern and energy-efficient ventilation system. To prevent peeling, apply a coat of moisture-resistant primer to the ceiling or walls before you add your mildew-resistant paint color. The reduction in moisture will extend the life of your paint job.

ANOTHER OPTION IS TO SELECT A SEMI-GLOSS OR HIGH-GLOSS PAINT.

Using a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish is another way to get the job done. Glossy paints cannot prevent mold, but they’re easier to clean and maintain than paint with flat and eggshell finishes. If you find traces of mold, it will be easier to remediate with a semi-gloss vs. a flat paint. Homeowners who don’t like the sheen of glossy paints can opt for satin instead; it’s slightly less reflective yet still not difficult to clean.

HOW TO PAINT ON TILES OR GLOSSY SURFACES

You can paint over ceramic tile walls in a bathroom. Remember, you will lose some of the textural look because the grout will be the same color as the tiles. For best results, paint tile walls that have limited exposure to water. Skip the shower tiles and stick to the decorative walls.

TO PREPARE TILE FOR PAINTING:

• Clean Tile: Clean the tile to remove any dirt, mildew, or soap scum using an abrasive bathroom cleaner. After cleaning, wipe the surface down with a clean, wet sponge to remove any residue, then allow the surface to dry thoroughly.
• Sand Tile:  Lightly sand the tile with fine (180-220 grit) synthetic grit sandpaper, such as silicon carbide or aluminum oxide, to take the gloss off the glazed surface. An orbital sander will do a faster and better job than hand sanding.
• Remove Dust:  Wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any dust and allow it to dry before painting.

THERE ARE TWO PAINTING OPTIONS FOR TILE:

• Latex Paint: Apply one to two coats of a bonding primer made to adhere to surfaces such as tile. Allow the primer to dry for the recommended time, followed by two topcoats of acrylic latex wall paint.
• Epoxy Paint: Apply two coats of a two-part epoxy paint made for tile and other hard to paint surfaces, such as Rust-Oleum Tub & Tile. Follow the directions carefully, and allow the recommended drying time before using. The colors available for epoxy paint may be limited.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE BEST PAINT FOR YOUR BATHROOMS LET’S GET STARTED

Take care to prep before painting.

• Step One – Before applying mold-resistant paint or your primer, clean the bathroom walls thoroughly and remove any mildew with a DIY solution of three parts water to one part bleach.
• Step Two- Tape off your corners, doorways, floorboards, and any other spots you want to protect from excess paint using painter tape.
• Step Three- Get out your drop cloths or old sheets to cover the sinks, floors, countertops, and toilet.
• Step Four- Begin painting in the corners and work your way out and across the walls. Let the paint dry for at least two days or more, if possible, to give the paint time to set before taking a shower. Ventilate the bathroom well while painting and throughout the drying process. Then stand back and admire your work. Wait a few days, then bring in your new accessories and enjoy your refurbished bathroom!!!

Now, if choosing the best paint for your bathrooms, prepping the walls, and painting seems too much to get done, then leave it to the professionals.