Best Paint for Kitchens & Bathrooms

Ordinary emulsion applied to a bathroom or kitchen wall can start to peel, blister or grow mould within a year or two, especially where ventilation is poor. The problem is not the colour, it is the formulation. Kitchens and bathrooms are steam-generating environments, and the paint you use needs to cope with repeated cycles of humidity, condensation and cleaning. This guide explains what to look for, what the different product types actually mean, and how to make a lasting choice.

Why Standard Emulsion Fails in Wet Rooms

Standard matt emulsion is formulated for dry, stable environments. It is microporous (which is great for breathability in living rooms) but also absorbs moisture. In a bathroom or kitchen, that moisture works its way into the paint film, breaks the bond with the substrate, and creates the conditions for mould spores, always present in indoor air, to take hold. The result is the familiar dark spotting around extractor fans, on ceilings above showers, and in the corners above worktops.

The fix is a paint with:

1. A higher sheen level (soft sheen or above), smooth surfaces repel moisture more effectively than flat ones
2. Anti-mould / fungicidal additives, biocides incorporated into the paint film that inhibit mould growth at the surface
3. A tougher, more washable binder, typically an acrylic or vinyl-acrylic formulation that resists scrubbing and detergents

Sheen Levels Explained

Sheen percentages are measured and quoted differently from maker to maker, so treat this column as a rough guide and check the product’s data sheet. A few anti-mould paints made for humid rooms do come in a matt finish: Zinsser’s Perma-White matt, for example, is guaranteed to prevent the growth of mould and mildew on the paint film for at least five years.¹

The higher the sheen, the easier the surface is to wipe down and the less moisture it absorbs, but high-sheen paints also highlight surface imperfections. In a bathroom where the plaster is not perfectly smooth, a soft sheen, satin or eggshell with good moisture-resistance is often the best compromise between performance and appearance.

Types of Kitchen and Bathroom Paint

Dedicated bathroom / kitchen emulsion, products marketed specifically for wet rooms. These are typically soft-sheen or mid-sheen finishes, contain anti-mould additives and have a tougher binder.² They are the most straightforward choice for most homeowners. Expect to pay £15–£25 per 2.5-litre tin from DIY multiples.³ Premium products from specialist paint brands typically run £30–£45 for 2.5 litres.¹

Eggshell, traditionally oil-based, now widely available in water-based (acrylic) formulations. Acrylic eggshell is tougher than standard emulsion, has good moisture resistance, and dries faster than oil-based. It works well on both walls and woodwork in kitchens and bathrooms. Cost: £18–£40 per 2.5 litres.

Satinwood, similar to eggshell but with a slightly higher sheen; primarily marketed for woodwork but can be used on walls for a more reflective finish. Good in smaller, darker bathrooms where light reflection helps.

Anti-condensation paint, a specialist category that uses a thermal insulating filler to keep the paint surface fractionally warmer than ambient air, reducing the point at which condensation forms. It is not a substitute for proper ventilation, but it can help on problem surfaces like cold external walls and ceilings. Cost: £20–£35 per 2.5 litres.

Tile paint, formulated to bond to ceramic tiles without the need for a specialist primer. Useful for refreshing existing tiles without the disruption of re-tiling. Results vary significantly with preparation; the surface must be perfectly clean and degreased. Durability depends heavily on preparation and wear. Cost: typically £15–£30 per small tin (tile paints are sold in tins of under a litre).

Coverage and How Much to Buy

Most bathroom and kitchen paints cover up to about 10–13 m² per litre per coat.² For a bathroom with around 6 m² of painted wall once the tiled areas are excluded, a 2.5-litre tin will comfortably do two coats and leave some for touching up.

For a typical kitchen, say 20–25 m² of wall area, buy 5 litres. In colourful or very dark shades, budget for a third coat.

Surface Preparation: The Step Most People Skip

The best bathroom paint in the world will not last on poorly prepared surfaces. Before painting:

1. Treat any existing mould, apply a fungicidal wash or a proprietary mould remover and follow its instructions for contact time and rinsing. Do not paint over mould.
2. Clean thoroughly, walls in kitchens accumulate grease; use a sugar soap solution and rinse well. Allow to dry fully (24–48 hours in a bathroom).
3. Fill any cracks or holes, use a fine surface filler; let it dry and sand smooth.
4. Apply a fungicidal primer if there has been significant mould, this provides an additional barrier before your topcoats.

In a completely newly plastered room, the plaster must dry out fully before painting, which commonly takes several weeks; it is ready when it has turned an even pale colour. Apply a mist coat first (emulsion thinned with water, at the ratio the paint maker gives) to seal the porous surface before full-coat application.

Ventilation: The Cause Paint Cannot Fix

No paint, however well formulated, will permanently solve a bathroom mould problem if the underlying cause is inadequate ventilation. Building Regulations Approved Document F requires:

• Bathrooms: intermittent extract ventilation at 15 litres/second (l/s) or continuous ventilation at 8 l/s⁴
• Kitchens: intermittent extract at 30 l/s through a cooker hood that extracts to the outside, or 60 l/s for any other extract fan⁴

If your bathroom fan is not achieving these rates, or has no fan at all, the right solution is a new or upgraded extractor before spending money on premium paint. A decent intermittent bathroom fan costs £30–£80; replacing an existing fan like for like typically adds £80–£150 for an electrician, and a new fan that needs a new duct through the wall costs more.

Cost Comparison Summary

The durability column is a rough guide for a ventilated room on sound, prepared surfaces, not a maker’s guarantee. A 2.5-litre tin of Dulux’s standard matt emulsion costs £19.99 at Screwfix, so the gap between a big-brand standard tin and a specialist bathroom tin can be small.⁵

The price difference between a standard tin and a specialist product is modest, often under £10, but the payback in reduced maintenance and a better-looking room over several years makes specialist bathroom and kitchen paint the clear choice.

Tips from the Trade

• Apply in thin coats: bathroom paints are often higher in binder solids and can show brush marks if applied too thickly. Thin coats, lightly cross-hatched, give a smoother finish.
• Use a mini foam roller on walls: speeds application and gives a consistent finish with less stippling than a brush.
• Allow proper drying time between coats: bathroom paints commonly specify several hours between coats, and Dulux Easycare Bathroom asks for 6 hours.² Rushing this in a humid room can trap moisture under the film and cause adhesion failure.
• Ventilate during painting: open windows and run the extract fan; VOC levels in specialist paints are generally low but ventilation while drying helps the paint film harden properly.

A good bathroom or kitchen paint job, on properly prepared surfaces, should last several years before needing a refresh; Dulux, for example, says its Easycare Bathroom formulation protects the paint against mould for five years.²

The rules in this note are those that apply in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own building standards and permitted development rights.