When to use which sheen

What Type Of Paint For Bathroom?

As a paint-obsessed DIY blogger, I get a lot of questions about the types of paint that should be used for particular projects like how to paint a bathroom. Most paint enthusiasts are in agreement about paint for many things, but the sheen chosen for bathroom walls is often up for debate.

Sheen reference guide

Sheen by Function

First and foremost, the room must function well. Choosing paint colors can be fun, but if you don’t select the right bathroom finishes, the paint won’t hold up. A bathroom tends to be a humid place, even with proper ventilation. You also, most likely, will be cleaning it on a regular basis, which may include scrubbing the walls and trim occasionally (at least in spots).

I typically like the look of flat/matte paint for walls, but those aren’t recommended for high-traffic or high-moisture areas. I tend to use a satin finish in both bathrooms and kitchens because I like the sheen and have found it to be durable, but Glidden officially recommends using semi-gloss which is shiny, but offers the most durable and scrubbable of these finish options.

Glidden Eggshell Paint in bathroom

Eggshell and Satin Sheen

Eggshell and satin sheens are recommended for a bathroom doesn’t get too much use — like a powder room or guest bathroom.

Well, I don’t believe any of that. I’ve never had mold grow on my bathroom walls themselves (maybe in the tile grout, but that’s a horse of a different color). Even with two kids, any water splashes generally stay contained to the tiled or the bath surround surfaces.

Glidden Flat Paint in bathroom

When to Use Flat or Matte

If you have a bathroom with good ventilation and the water doesn’t get all over your walls, I think that it’s absolutely fine to use a flat or matte sheen paint for bathroom walls.

As long as you are using a premium brand (like Glidden Paint), you’ll be able to clean your walls without degrading the paint. Paint formulas are so advanced these days that a premium flat paint washes completely differently than a builder’s grade flat paint.

Now that I’ve made your bathroom paint decision easy, you just need to pick a color!

Trim, Doors or Other Wood Finishes

If you are painting trim, doors, or other wood finishes like a vanity, you should use either semi-gloss or high-gloss. It will still give a pleasing shine to your painted surface, and it will hold up well.

Once you understand which bathroom finishes are right for the walls and trim, you can move on to the fun part: choosing colors! I’ll be doing this soon for my own bathroom (seen above), and I’m looking forward to freshening up the space.