All advice / Design and finishes
Paint still has a place in a bathroom
Not every surface in a bathroom needs to be tiled. The ceiling, the upper walls above the splash zone and any feature walls away from water are typically painted. Paint is cheaper than tile, faster to apply and easier to change if you want a new colour in a few years.
The key is choosing the right paint for a wet room and using it only where moisture exposure is manageable. Paint in the wrong place — behind a basin, in a shower recess — fails quickly and leads to peeling, mould and ongoing maintenance.
Where paint works
The ceiling. Almost every bathroom ceiling is painted, not tiled. Moisture-rated paint in a semi-gloss or satin finish handles the steam from showers. Our ceiling guide covers what to use and when the ceiling board needs replacing.
Upper walls above the tile line. In many bathrooms, tiles go to 1,200 or 1,800 millimetres on non-shower walls, and paint covers the area from the tile top to the ceiling. This zone gets humidity but not direct water contact.
Feature walls. A painted feature wall — a dark colour, a textured finish, or a two-tone scheme — adds character to a bathroom without the cost of feature tiles. It works best on walls away from the shower and basin.
Where tiles are better
Behind the vanity (the splashback area), behind the bath, inside the shower recess and any surface that gets direct water contact. These areas need a waterproof, durable, easy-to-clean surface that paint cannot provide long-term.
Our splashback guide covers the options for behind the vanity — tiles, glass and panels. In the shower, tiles over a waterproof membrane is the standard.
Choosing the right paint
For a bathroom, use a paint rated for wet areas. Most major Australian paint brands — Dulux, Taubmans, Haymes — have a bathroom-specific or kitchen-and-bathroom range formulated with extra mould resistance and moisture tolerance.
Finish matters. Semi-gloss and satin finishes shed moisture and are easier to wipe clean than flat or matt finishes. A flat finish looks good but absorbs moisture and marks more easily in a humid room.
Low-VOC paints reduce the chemical fumes during and after painting. In a bathroom with limited ventilation, this is worth the small premium. Our eco-friendly renovation guide covers low-VOC choices alongside other sustainable options.
Preparation is everything
Paint adheres to a clean, dry, properly prepared surface. In a bathroom renovation, the wall is typically new moisture-resistant plasterboard (green board), which needs a primer coat before the paint. Existing walls need sanding, filling and priming to get a smooth base.
If the existing paint is peeling or there are signs of moisture damage underneath, the wall lining should be replaced rather than painted over. Painting over a damaged surface traps moisture and makes the problem worse.
Colour choices for bathrooms
Light colours make a small bathroom feel larger. White, off-white, light grey and soft neutrals are the most popular bathroom paint colours because they reflect light and work with any tile and tapware scheme.
Dark colours — charcoal, navy, deep green — work as feature walls or in larger bathrooms where the dark colour does not shrink the room. In a small bathroom, a dark ceiling can feel oppressive.
Our colour schemes guide covers how to coordinate paint, tiles and fixtures into a cohesive palette.
How ETR handles painted surfaces
The ceiling and upper walls are painted after tiling is complete, so no paint is splashed during the tile phase. We use moisture-rated paint on all bathroom surfaces and prime new plasterboard before painting.
The paint colour is chosen during the selections process, alongside the tiles and tapware. A free on-site measure anywhere in Sydney is the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just paint over the existing bathroom walls?
If the walls are in good condition — no peeling, no moisture damage, no mould — yes, with proper preparation (sanding, filling, priming). If there is damage, the wall lining should be replaced before painting. Painting over damage traps moisture and makes it worse.
What paint finish is best for a bathroom?
Semi-gloss or satin. These finishes resist moisture and are easy to wipe clean. Flat or matt finishes absorb moisture and mark more easily in a humid room. Semi-gloss is the most common choice for bathroom ceilings and walls.
How often does bathroom paint need redoing?
In a well-ventilated bathroom with moisture-rated paint, five to eight years before it needs a fresh coat. In a poorly ventilated bathroom, paint can start peeling or growing mould within two to three years. Good ventilation extends the life of every surface.
Is mould-resistant paint actually effective?
It helps, but it is not a substitute for ventilation. Mould-resistant paint contains a fungicide that slows mould growth on the painted surface. If the underlying cause — poor ventilation, failed waterproofing — is not addressed, the paint delays mould but does not prevent it.
Should I tile all the way to the ceiling?
In the shower, yes — full-height tiles are standard. On other walls, tiles to 1,200 or 1,800 millimetres with paint above is the most common and cost-effective approach. Full-height tiles on every wall is a premium choice that adds cost.