The Best Paints For Steamy Bathrooms

Make your bathroom transformation a breeze with our handpicked selection of paints that are chosen to thrive in steamy settings.
✅ Tried & Tested: See Our Testing ↓
Written & Tested By: Edward Bailey | Updated:
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Best Bathroom Paint
Edward Bailey/DIY Works
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Bathrooms are subject to excessive steam and moisture and it’s important that you use a paint that’s resistant to the damaging effects. This will not only help maintain the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom but also prevent issues such as peeling, mould growth, and water damage over time. Whether you opt to use bathroom paint just on the ceiling or the entire bathroom, there is a variety of paints to choose from at your disposal.

To assist you in selecting the right bathroom paint, our handpicked selection showcases top-performing paints, chosen based on our first-hand experience using them in a range of bathrooms. Our rigorous testing and up-to-date research further ensure the quality of our recommendations.

Our Top Picks At A Glance:

Best Overall: Dulux Easycare Bathroom Paint
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Johnstone’s 389464 Bathroom Paint
Best Value: Johnstone’s 389464 Bathroom Midsheen
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Ronseal Anti Mould Bathroom Paint
Best For Steamy Bathrooms: Ronseal Anti Mould
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Crown MouldGuard+ Bathroom Paint
Best All-Rounder: Crown MouldGuard+
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Dryzone Mould Resistant Paint
Most Versatile: Dryzone Mould Resistant Paint
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Rustins Anti-Condensation Paint
Best Value Runner-Up: Rustins Anti-Condensation Paint
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How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates The Bathroom Paints

Whether you need to paint a small steamy bathroom or one that’s very large, the use of bathroom paint is highly recommended. Over the years, we have tried and tested plenty of bathroom paints by top brands in the UK and we’ve gained plenty of experience to base our recommendations on.

The most recent bathroom paint we tested was the Dulux Easycase and we were very impressed by the finish as well as its steam and moisture-resistant qualities. The 2.5-litre tin that we tested in the image below was also more than enough for two coats within the en-suite. This particular room gets very steamy and suffers from the build-up of mould but since this bathroom paint has been applied, mould is no longer an issue.

best paint for bathroom

Edward Bailey/DIY Works

To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest bathroom paints (for this article), we’ve painted several more bathrooms since with some of our recommendations (as shown in the image below). During our testing of the bathroom paints, we analysed the ease of application, coverage, finish and durability over a prolonged period of time.

best bathroom ceiling paint

Edward Bailey/DIY Works
best paint for bathroom ceiling

Edward Bailey/DIY Works

As well as testing a variety of bathroom paints from top brands in the UK, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. The factors that we considered included their coverage, colour selection, resistance to steam and moisture, finish, drying time, ease of application and value for money.

The Best Bathroom Paints

At DIY Works, our content is 100% independent and we would never recommend a product that we wouldn't use ourselves (read our editorial standards and how we test products).

1. Best Overall: Dulux Easycare Bathroom Paint

(How We Review →)

Dulux is one of the most reputable paint brands in the UK and they produce a range of paints to suit all requirements. Their Easycare Bathroom Paint is one of their highest rated paints that’s 10 times tougher than their standard emulsion paint. They offer multiple colours and finishes with this particular paint but the soft sheen finish is the best option.

Pros
  • "MouldTec" formulation to prevent mould build-up
    •
  • Highly durable soft sheen finish
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  • Moisture and steam resistant
    •
  • 13 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Completely dry within 24 hours
Cons
  • During our testing, we found that it required two coats for the best finish

The Dulux Easycare is by far the best bathroom paint that ticks all the boxes and is produced by a reputable brand for complete peace of mind. It isn’t the cheapest but the additional cost is a worthwhile investment that you won’t regret.

2. Best Value: Johnstone’s 389464 Bathroom Midsheen

(How We Review →)

Johnstone’s is another highly reputable paint brand in the UK and their bathroom mid-sheen is a more affordable alternative to the Dulux Easycare. It’s suitable for both the bathroom ceiling and walls and it provides a durable finish that’s both moisture and stain resistant.

Pros
  • Suitable for wall and ceiling use
    •
  • Choice of 13 different colours
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  • Desirable mid-sheen finish that's easily wipeable
    •
  • 12 m2 coverage per litre
    •
  • Touch dry in 1 to 2 hours
    •
  • Stain and moisture resistant
Cons

    Overall, the fast drying bathroom paint by Johnstone’s is a great choice that’s available in many popular colours that will easily transform your bathroom. The paint also offers excellent value for the money considering its coverage.

    3. Best For Steamy Bathrooms: Ronseal Anti Mould

    (How We Review →)

    The Ronseal alternative is one of the best anti mould paints on the market that’s ideal for the bathroom ceiling or walls. According to the brand, the durable finish can provide up to 6 years of protection and is completely moisture and steam resistant. In terms of the application, it can be applied via a brush or roller and it requires two coats.

    Pros
    • 13 m2 coverage per litre
      •
    • Easy wipe-clean formulation
      •
    • Provides up to 6 years of mould protection
      •
    • Can be used all-round the house
    Cons
    • Relatively expensive when compared to other bathroom paints

    For steamy bathrooms that struggle with the build-up of mould, the Ronseal paint is the best option. Although expensive, the six-year guarantee against mould is worth paying the extra for and the paint won’t disappoint.

    4. Best All-Rounder: Crown MouldGuard+

    (How We Review →)

    Crown is another reputable brand in the UK that produce a variety of paints. This MouldGuard+ formula is their new and improved bathroom paint that’s designed to leave a high-quality mid sheen finish.

    In terms of the colour selection, this bathroom paint is available as a pure brilliant white, soft duck egg or a soft steel.

    Pros
    • Resists steam and condensation
      •
    • Breathable mid sheen finish
      •
    • Easy to apply by brush or roller
      •
    • Choice of three colours
      •
    • Touch dry within 2 hours
      •
    • 14 m2 coverage per litre
      •
    • 99% solvent free
    Cons
    • From our testing, it required two coats to achieve the desirable mid sheen finish

    Overall, the Crown MouldGuard+ is an excellent all-round bathroom paint that ticks all the boxes. The brand also offers two highly desirable colours (soft duck egg and soft steel), which allows you to be more creative with the paint in your bathroom.

    5. Most Versatile: Dryzone Mould Resistant Paint

    (How We Review →)

    The Dryzone bathroom paint is another formula that focuses on fighting mould build-up. According to the brand, it’s a professional strength paint that’s highly effective upon persistent condensation on steamy bathroom ceilings or walls.

    Pros
    • Stops the build-up of black mould
      •
    • Fast drying formulas
      •
    • Easily washable finish
      •
    • 12 m2 coverage per litre
      •
    • Low odour output
      •
    • Mould resistance for up to 5 years
    Cons
    • Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives
      •
    • Only available in a 1 litre tin

    Whether you are tackling mould on your bathroom ceiling or in an empty cupboard, the Dryzone paint is a versatile option that won’t disappoint. It does come with a premium price tag but the brand specializes in damp proofing and it’s a professional strength formula that can handle any steamy bathroom with ease.

    6. Best Value Runner-Up: Rustins Anti-Condensation Paint

    (How We Review →)

    One of the cheapest bathroom paints that’s actually worth buying is the Rustins Anti-Condensation paint. It’s specifically formulated for kitchens and bathrooms and is designed to reduce the damaging effects of condensation.

    Pros
    • Water based formula with a low odour output
      •
    • Touch dry in 2 hours
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    • Matte white finish
      •
    • Ideal for steamy bathroom ceilings and walls
    Cons
    • Only available in a one litre tin
      •
    • Poor coverage (7m2 per litre)

    Overall, the Rustins paint is a great cheap bathroom paint that reduces condensation and leaves a high quality finish. Whether you are painting your bathroom ceiling or walls, it’s a versatile and fast drying formula that won’t disappoint.

    Conclusion

    All of our recommendations are specifically designed for use within a bathroom and include steam and moisture-resistant qualities. Although standard paints will look fine for a few months, over time they will begin to bubble, stain or hold mould. Therefore, it’s always worth spending a small amount more for dedicated bathroom paint.

    For those that are struggling with mould, it may be worth purchasing a new bathroom extractor fan because this’ll help to remove as much moisture in the air as possible and reduce the build-up of mould on the walls or ceiling.

    If you require further information regarding any of our bathroom paint recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.

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