The Best Tile Paints For Kitchen And Bathroom Use
Paints that give dated splashbacks and bathroom walls a new look without ripping a single tile off.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best tile paint is the Ronseal One Coat, which goes straight onto glazed wall tiles with no primer and leaves a soft satin sheen that suits most bathrooms and kitchens. For shower walls that get soaked every day, the Dulux Tile Paint is the tougher choice, with a gloss finish that's sold as shower resistant.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Ronseal One Coat
- Check price of Rust-Oleum Universal Paint
Most Versatile
Rust-Oleum Universal PaintMatching tiles to wood, metal or plastic elsewhere in the room
- Check price of Dulux Tile Paint
- Check price of Johnstone’s Revive Tile Paint
- Check price of Rustins Quick Dry Step & Tile
Best Heavy Duty
Rustins Quick Dry Step & TileQuarry tiles, doorsteps, brick and concrete indoors or outside
- Check price of The One Multi Surface Paint
Best All-Rounder
The One Multi Surface PaintChoosing a matt, satin or gloss finish for tiles and other surfaces
Floor tiles are where people go wrong, as nearly every tile paint here is made for walls and won't stand up to foot traffic. On walls, what matters is how wet the tiles get, and a splashback behind a basin has an easy life next to the inside of a shower. Check coverage too, since a second coat doubles what you need. If the tiles are cracked or loose rather than just dated, our guide to removing old tiles without damaging the wall is the better starting point.
We've painted tiles in the bathrooms of our rentals and on our office kitchen splashback, and these six cover satin, gloss and multi-surface paints along with one for floors.
How We Tested These Tile Paints
We've painted tiles in the bathrooms of our rental properties and on the splashback of our office kitchen, and we try to test each paint on both bathroom and kitchen tiles so we can judge how well it lasts.
The office kitchen was our most creative go. We painted every tile white first, then once that was dry we masked off alternate squares and painted the exposed tiles grey. Pulling the tape off left a clean chequerboard that made the kitchen look far more modern. It's a job that relies on a sharp-edged masking tape, so don't skimp there.
For our later rounds we picked up tins of Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint in Magnolia Satin and Dulux Tile Paint in Distant Shores Gloss, shown below.
Each paint was compared on:
- Coverage: how well it hid the old tile colour and how many coats that took
- Finish: brush marks, sheen and how even the colour looked
- Durability: how it stood up to wiping and splashes once cured
- Application: whether it needed a primer and how it handled grout lines
- Drying time: how soon a second coat could go on
- Choice: the colours and tin sizes on offer
Coverage figures, drying times and colour counts come from each brand unless we've said otherwise.
The Best Tile Paints For Kitchens And Bathrooms
Each paint below is made for glazed wall tiles in wet or steamy rooms. Read the notes on primers and floors before you buy, as they don't all suit every tile.
Best Overall
Ronseal One Coat
Best for: Bathroom and kitchen wall tiles where you want one easy satin coat
Check Price On AmazonRonseal One Coat is the tile paint we'd hand to anyone tackling their first tiled wall. It needs no primer, and Ronseal says one coat gives a new tile look with no brush marks if it's laid on properly. We bought it in Magnolia Satin, and the satin sheen looks right on a bathroom wall without the glare of a full gloss.
Ronseal describes it as durable, mould resistant and waterproof, which is what you want around a basin or bath. There are 13 colours to pick from in 750ml tins, and Ronseal says it's touch dry in 2 hours. Two limits are worth knowing. Ronseal doesn't recommend it for worktops or floor tiles, and coverage is 8 square metres per litre, lower than some others here, so measure your wall before buying.
What we like
- No primer needed on glazed tiles
- Satin finish that suits bathrooms and kitchens
- Choice of 13 colours
- Mould resistant and waterproof according to Ronseal
- Touch dry in 2 hours according to Ronseal
What to know
- Covers 8 square metres per litre so a big wall needs more tins
- Not recommended for floor tiles or worktops
Our verdict
For a first go at painting wall tiles, Ronseal One Coat is the easiest place to start, as there's no primer step and a satin finish is kinder to uneven tiles than a high gloss. A litre doesn't stretch as far as some here, so buy enough for the whole wall in one go. Tiled floors and steps need something tougher, such as Rustins Quick Dry Step and Tile.
Most Versatile
Rust-Oleum Universal Paint
Best for: Matching tiles to wood, metal or plastic elsewhere in the room
Check Price On AmazonRust-Oleum Universal is an all-surface paint and primer in one, and Rust-Oleum sells it for tiles as well as wood, metal and plastic. That's handy when you want the splashback to match a radiator, a shelf bracket or a plastic panel in the same shade, as one tin does the lot. It's suitable indoors and out.
At around 9 square metres per litre, the 250ml tin suits a splashback and the 750ml tin a bigger run of tiles. Rust-Oleum says it's dry in 2 hours, but check the surface first, as some materials still need a primer or a second coat, with non-ferrous and galvanised metals the main ones to watch.
What we like
- Primer and paint in one tin for most surfaces
- Suitable indoors and out
- Sold in 250ml and 750ml tins
- Also covers wood, metal and plastic
- Dry in 2 hours according to Rust-Oleum
What to know
- Some surfaces still need a primer or second coat
- Around 9 square metres per litre
Our verdict
Pick Rust-Oleum Universal if the tiles are part of a bigger colour scheme that includes metal, wood or plastic. It's the most flexible paint in this list. If you're only painting bathroom tiles, a dedicated tile paint such as Ronseal One Coat or Johnstone's Revive is more focused on steam and splashes.
Best White
Dulux Tile Paint
Best for: Shower walls and splashbacks that get water on them every day
Check Price On AmazonDulux Tile Paint is aimed at the wettest spots in the house. The tin we bought in Distant Shores Gloss is labelled shower resistant with no primer required, and Dulux says the paint won't peel where water runs over it regularly. The brand also claims it's ten times tougher than standard paint and more water resistant than other water-based paints.
It goes on with a brush or roller and dries in 4 hours according to Dulux. The colour range is small, with four shades including Brilliant White, which is why we rate it as the white to buy for a crisp, clean bathroom. It costs more than most of the paints here and can need a second coat for the best finish, so budget for both.
What we like
- Labelled shower resistant on the tin
- No primer required
- Gloss finish that wipes clean
- Brush or roller application
- Dry in 4 hours according to Dulux
What to know
- Only four colours to choose from
- Dearer than most tile paints here and can need two coats
Our verdict
Choose Dulux Tile Paint for tiles inside a shower or behind a sink that's splashed every day, and for a bright white gloss. If you want more colour choice, Ronseal One Coat offers 13 shades. Johnstone's Revive gives a similar gloss for less if cost matters more.
Best Value
Johnstone’s Revive Tile Paint
Best for: Budget bathroom refresh where a second coat is no hardship
Check Price On AmazonJohnstone's Revive is a water-based tile paint that dries to a smooth gloss and needs no primer. It's one of the more affordable options in this list, and the low smell makes it easy to work with in a small bathroom with the window open.
On our tiles it needed two coats to look its best, so plan for that when you're working out how much to buy. Johnstone's quotes up to 12 square metres per litre and says it's touch dry in 2 hours, which means two coats in a day is realistic. There's a good choice of colours, and the gloss sheen picks up light nicely on a splashback.
What we like
- Lower price than most tile paints here
- No primer needed
- Low smell while painting
- Up to 12 square metres per litre according to Johnstone's
- Touch dry in 2 hours according to Johnstone's
What to know
- Needed two coats for the best finish when we used it
Our verdict
Budget is the reason to choose Johnstone's Revive. Our tiles needed a second coat, so allow for the extra paint, but the lower price and quick drying make that easy to live with. Shower walls that are soaked every day are better off with Dulux Tile Paint.
Best Heavy Duty
Rustins Quick Dry Step & Tile
Best for: Quarry tiles, doorsteps, brick and concrete indoors or outside
Check Price On AmazonRustins Quick Dry Step and Tile is a tough acrylic gloss rather than a wall tile paint, and it's the one here for floors and steps. Rustins says it covers tiles, brick, concrete and similar surfaces, and that it's hard wearing and weather resistant enough for outdoor use. That makes it a good match for a tired red quarry tile doorstep or a utility room floor.
A litre goes a long way, with Rustins quoting 14 square metres thanks to high-opacity pigments, and it's dry in 30 minutes by the brand's figures. For a longer-lasting finish, Rustins recommends two coats with at least 4 hours between them, and a light sand between coats gives a smoother result. The catch is colour choice, as there are only three.
What we like
- Suits floors, steps, brick and concrete
- Weather resistant for outdoor use according to Rustins
- Up to 14 square metres per litre according to Rustins
- Brush or roller application
- Dry to the touch in 30 minutes according to Rustins
What to know
- Only three colours
- Rustins recommends two coats with 4 hours between them
Our verdict
Buy Rustins Step and Tile for tiled steps, porches and floors that take foot traffic or weather. It's not the paint for a bathroom splashback, where Ronseal One Coat or Johnstone's Revive gives a nicer finish. For a garage floor, our garage floor paint picks are made for heavier wear.
Best All-Rounder
The One Multi Surface Paint
Best for: Choosing a matt, satin or gloss finish for tiles and other surfaces
Check Price On AmazonThe One Multi Surface Paint is a water-based paint that covers tiles alongside a long list of other surfaces, and it needs no undercoat or primer. The One says one coat is enough in most cases, which keeps the job short.
What sets it apart is choice. You can pick a matt, satin or gloss finish across 12 colours, and it's sold in 250ml, 1 litre and 2.5 litre tins. A matt tile is unusual and looks good in a modern kitchen, though it's less forgiving to wipe down than gloss. It's one of the dearer paints in this list, so it suits a project where you want a particular finish rather than the cheapest fix.
What we like
- No undercoat or primer needed
- Matt, satin or gloss finish
- Choice of 12 colours
- Sold in 250ml, 1 litre and 2.5 litre tins
- Water based with easy clean up
What to know
- One of the more expensive paints in this list
Our verdict
The One is the pick when the finish matters, such as matt tiles in a modern kitchen, or when you want one paint for tiles and furniture. If you just want a durable satin bathroom wall for less money, Ronseal One Coat does that job well.
What To Look For In A Tile Paint
Tile paint is a simple product, but picking the wrong type for the room or the tile is a common reason it fails. Here's what matters most.
Wall Tiles Or Floor Tiles
Most tile paints are made for wall tiles only. Ronseal, for example, doesn't recommend its tile paint for floors or worktops, because foot traffic and hot pans wear through a wall paint quickly. For floors, steps and quarry tiles, go for a heavy-duty paint like Rustins Step and Tile. Painting a worktop needs a specialist kit rather than any paint in this list.
Steam And Water
A tiled wall behind a basin gets splashed now and then, while the inside of a shower is soaked every day. For the wettest spots, choose a paint sold as shower resistant, such as Dulux Tile Paint, and let it cure fully before the shower goes back in use. If the room has a condensation problem, sort the ventilation too, or mould will find its way into the grout lines whatever paint you use. Our tested bathroom extractor fans are a good place to start. Painted walls around the tiles benefit from a moisture-resistant bathroom paint too.
Preparation Makes The Finish
Every tile paint needs a clean, grease-free surface. Wash the tiles with sugar soap, rinse and let them dry. Old grout with mould in it needs cleaning or replacing first, and our guide on removing and replacing tile grout walks through it. A light sand with fine paper helps the paint bite on very shiny glazes, even if the tin says no primer is needed.
Sheen Level
Gloss is the easiest to wipe and the most water resistant, but it shows every lump in the tile. Satin is a good middle ground for most bathrooms. Matt looks modern but marks more easily, so keep it to areas that don't take heavy splashing.
Coverage And Coats
Coverage varies a lot between brands, from 8 square metres per litre for Ronseal One Coat upwards, so check the figure on each tin. Measure the tiled area and divide by the coverage, then double it if the paint needs two coats or you're covering a dark tile with a light colour. Small 250ml tins are fine for a splashback, while a fully tiled bathroom can need several 750ml tins.
Tile Painting Questions We Get Asked
Does tile paint actually last?
Tile paint lasts well on wall tiles when the surface is cleaned properly before painting and the paint is left to cure fully before the room is used. It wears fastest where it's scrubbed or soaked every day, such as shower floors and worktops, which is why most brands don't recommend it there. Choose a shower-resistant paint for wet walls.
Do you need to prime tiles before painting?
Most dedicated tile paints, including Ronseal One Coat, Dulux and Johnstone's Revive, don't need a primer on glazed wall tiles. You still need to wash off grease and soap scum and let the tiles dry. A light sand on very glossy tiles gives the paint a better grip, and some multi-surface paints recommend a primer on certain materials.
Can you paint over grout?
Yes, you can paint over grout when painting tiles, and most people do for a uniform finish. If you want the grout lines to show, paint the tiles first, then go over the lines with a grout pen once dry. Clean mouldy grout before painting, as paint over mould lets it grow back through.
Can you paint kitchen tiles behind a hob?
You can paint kitchen tiles behind a hob, but check the tin for heat limits first, as tile paints aren't designed for direct heat. Tiles behind a gas hob get hotter than those behind an induction hob. If the tiles near the burners get very hot, leave those unpainted or fit a glass splashback in that section.
Can I use Ronseal One Coat on floor tiles?
No, Ronseal doesn't recommend its tile paint for floors or worktops, because foot traffic and hot pans wear through a wall paint quickly. For tiled floors, steps and porches, Rustins Quick Dry Step and Tile is the one in our list. It's a tough acrylic gloss, and Rustins recommends two coats with 4 hours between them.
Which tile paint would you use inside a shower?
Dulux Tile Paint is the one for a shower. The tin we bought is labelled shower resistant, needs no primer, and Dulux says it won't peel where water runs over it regularly. It's a gloss that wipes clean and dries in 4 hours according to Dulux. It only comes in four colours and costs more than most, and it can need two coats.
Is Johnstone's Revive worth choosing over Ronseal One Coat?
Johnstone's Revive is worth choosing if budget matters most, as it costs less than most tile paints here, has a low smell and needs no primer. On our tiles it needed two coats to look its best. Ronseal One Coat gives a satin finish in 13 colours, while Johnstone's Revive gives a smooth gloss and quotes up to 12 square metres per litre.
How did you get the chequerboard effect on the kitchen tiles?
We painted every tile white first, then once that was dry we masked off alternate squares and painted the exposed tiles grey. Pulling the tape off left a clean chequerboard. The job relies on sharp-edged masking tape, so don't skimp on the tape, and let the white coat dry fully before you mask over it.
Which Tile Paint We Would Buy
Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint is the one we'd pick for most bathroom and kitchen walls, as it needs no primer and gives a tidy satin finish in plenty of colours. For a shower wall that's soaked every day, Dulux Tile Paint is the tougher choice.
If you're watching the budget, Johnstone's Revive does a good job with a second coat, and Rustins Step and Tile is the one for floors and doorsteps.
Eddie spent five years as a self-employed painter and decorator before going part time to become one of the main writers at DIY Works. From garden fences to mist coats on fresh plaster, painting and decorating is his speciality.