Before you start painting any room in your house, you need to consider many different factors that can make or break your final result. What types of brushes or rollers should you use? What color will best complement your existing aesthetic?

But the hardest question for many homeowners to answer is often: What finish will look best in my space? And when painting a bathroom, that question is even more important.

Read on to learn which finishes work best in bathrooms and what you should consider before you start working on a bathroom repaint.

Types of Sheen

You can’t decide which paint sheen makes the most sense for your bathroom without first knowing what your options are. There are five main paint sheens for you to choose between, all with different looks, feels, and purposes.

• High Gloss. High gloss paint is the shiniest option with the most enamel. It’s durable, easy to clean, and the most dramatic. High gloss is the most expensive option, and it’s the least forgiving to mistakes during application. 
• Semi-Gloss. Semi-gloss paint has the durability and lustre of high gloss paint without the intensity, making it a popular choice for trim and baseboards.
• Satin. The most moderate sheen, satin, maintains much of the shine of a higher-enamel paint while being matte enough for larger walls.
• Eggshell. Eggshell is the most common interior paint sheen. It offers some shine, but with a lower price point and a more neutral look.
• Matte. Matte has the least shine of any paint. It’s the hardest to clean, but it’s also the most forgiving to apply and the most affordable.

Bathroom Considerations

Your bathroom is different from any other room of the house, and thus has some of the most particular considerations. When deciding your paint sheen, make sure to keep them each in mind.

High Moisture

Between showers, toilets, and sinks, your bathroom sees far more moisture than any other room, both in the air and directly on the walls. And if you have any leaks, water can easily get through your drywall, making the potential for water damage go a layer deeper.

High Traffic

Bathrooms are generally fairly tight quarters, but they see a lot of foot traffic throughout the day. You and any residents of your home are generally going into the bathroom many times a day – using your water sources, opening cabinets, and always closing the door when inside. That constant movement creates a lot of wear and tear on your bathroom walls, trim, and doors.

Little Natural Lighting

While natural light is great for eliminating some of the moisture in bathrooms, few have much of it. Instead of soft light through windows, most bathrooms have bright, cold lighting, which is great for seeing your makeup but unforgiving to your walls.

Best for Bathrooms

Most painters agree: semi-gloss or satin sheens are best for bathrooms. Semi-gloss paint is somewhat mildew-resistant compared to lower-enamel paints. It’s also easier to clean – an essential trait for bathrooms, which require more deep cleaning than other rooms of the house.

Semi-gloss paint will show imperfections, so satin can be a better option for walls that have some existing damage or for DIY painters who don’t trust their abilities to paint perfectly. It doesn’t have the same level of moisture resistance as a glossier paint, though, so it may still be better to go with semi-gloss if you know your bathroom has poor ventilation. 

Every Bathroom is Unique

Like all components of home design and renovation, painting your bathroom isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Some bathrooms will look better with semi-gloss paint, while others will do best with satin. And when it comes to trim or bathroom cabinets, what works best depends on your space and style.

Working with a professional painter can take some of the stress out of deciding what paints make the most sense for your home bathroom. When you work with our team at CorsPaint, we’re always happy to discuss the best paint solutions for your particular home and find paints that work with your style and budget.

Want advice on the best paint sheen for your bathroom today? Call us at 352-284-6199 or visit https://corspaint.com/contact/ to chat with our team about working with CorsPaint on your bathroom.