Bathroom paint faces a lot of wear and tear, so go with a water-repellent, easy-to-maintain product. Since they’re more durable and easier to clean than matte options, glossier finishes are ideal. The only downside is they highlight imperfections, so it’s important to prep surfaces before you paint.

• As for color, look for a shade that complements the hallway or room next to the bathroom. Lighter shades are usually good choices for smaller spaces.
• Paint manufacturer websites often allow you to upload a photo of your room to play with wall colors. It’s also wise to purchase samples and test shades in the actual space. Keep in mind glossier finishes reflect more light, which makes colors appear brighter.

Use an angled brush to paint baseboards and other trim. Paint them first so you don’t have to tape off the walls, which is more difficult than taping off the trim. Depending on the type of paint you’re using, apply a second coat after 4 to 24 hours.

• Semi-gloss is a good finish for bathroom trim. Baseboards, chair rails, and window and door trim collect dust and grime, and semi-gloss is more durable and easier to clean than flat finishes.
• White is conventional for trim, but you could experiment with colour, especially if your walls are white. Grays, blues, and black are trendy choices if you want your trim to make a statement.

If you have a steady, practiced hand, you don’t need to tape around every edge. However, if you want to stay on the safe side, allow the trim to dry for 24 hours, then lay down painter’s tape at the edges where it meets walls.

• Additionally, tape around your bath fixtures and wall tile.
• Even if you have a steady hand, you should still tape horizontal trim, such as baseboards, chair rails, and horizontal runs of tile. Paint will inevitably spatter on horizontal trim, but vertical trim, such as window and door trim, is less vulnerable.

If your current paint is in good shape, you made no repairs, and you’re not making a drastic color change, you can skip priming or use a self-priming paint. However, if your bathroom is currently dark and your new color is light, it’s wise to prime. Use the same techniques for primer as you would for the top coats: cut the edges with a brush first, then use a roller to paint broader areas.[15]

• You should also spot-prime any areas you patched. Drywall compound is porous and will absorb paint, resulting in noticeable dull spots. Priming your repairs will help keep them inconspicuous.

Dip the brush in paint, tap off excess, and cut in about 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) from the edge of the wall. Then turn back and bring the tip of the brush to the trim, taking care not to paint beyond the edge of the wall.

• Complete 1 wall at a time so you’re always painting over wet paint. Painting over dried or tacky paint leads to noticeable lap lines. If you paint the trim all around the room, it’ll dry by the time you pass the roller over the rest of the wall.
• Go with a satin or semi-gloss finish for bathroom wall paint. These finishes strike a balance between disguising imperfections and durability.

Fill the well of a paint tray, dip the roller, and roll it over the tray to get rid of excess paint. Start at a corner, and run the roller over the wall in a vertical stroke along the full height of the wall. With each pass, overlap both the previous stroke you made with the roller and the paint along the wall’s edges.

• When you’ve finished the first wall, proceed to the next. Paint the edges with a brush, and use a roller for the larger areas.
• Dip the roller in paint frequently and avoid letting the roller dry out. You don’t want it dripping with paint, but keeping it wet helps prevent lap lines.

Allow the recommended drying time before applying another coat. For latex paint, you should be able to apply a second in 4 hours; oil-based paints may require 24 hours.

• Check your product’s instructions if you’re not sure about the recommended drying time.

Use the same techniques to apply the second coat of paint. Paint around the edges of a wall with a brush, then use a paint roller to finish the wall.

• Remember to paint 1 wall at a time to avoid painting over dried paint.

After the paint has dried completely, cut along the edge of the taped trim with a utility knife, then pull back the tape. Fold up and store the drop cloths, remove the coverings from the bath fixtures, and replace any wall art, curtains, electrical covers, and towel racks.

• If necessary, replace the toilet and turn on the water supply.
• If you pull up the tape without cutting it, you might peel off dried paint from the wall that’s bonded with the tape.