Techniques for Painting Bathrooms
A bathroom is one place in the home that is visited quite frequently, so why not make it a special place that is warm, welcoming, and full of color? Even if you are afraid to use color in other areas of the home, a bathroom is a great place to break out of your shell and experiment with both color and decorative finishes. Because a bathroom is an entirely separate space, you do not have to worry about matching the look between rooms as you do in the main areas of your home. The bathroom is its own entity. When painting bathrooms, you can start fresh and create a whole different mood and style. The rest of your home can be done in all neutral tones, but why not create a little inspiring oasis of color and creativity in your bathroom? The techniques and possibilities for painting bathrooms are endless.
The most basic bathroom painting technique is Straight Painting. But instead of using a color that you would normally use, how about going a few shades darker? It is said that darker paint colors should not be used in a small space because it will make the room appear smaller. But this is not always the case. If you use a darker color in a tiny bathroom, by warming up and softening the appearance of all the fixtures, color can actually make the room look larger. If you are hesitant about going too dark, how about adding color to an accent wall as in the picture below?
Because a bathroom is a smaller room you are actually closer to the walls so your eyes have the tendency to see many of the imperfections. Being in a larger room, there is more space and more to look at so your focus is not on every tiny detail. So if your bathroom walls are not in great condition, a great way to disguise the imperfections is by using a Faux Paint Finish. A Faux Technique brings out variations of color, depth, and dimension which tends to hide more. A few basic faux paint finishes are sponging, ragging, and colorwashing.
But, why not go all out and bring in something ultra fabulous like an Allover Stencil Pattern or even a fun Geometric Paint Pattern. Another great decorative painting technique to use for painting bathrooms is Painted Stripes. You can bring in 2 different complimentary colors, monochromatic colors or even do the same color stripes but do one stripe in a matte finish and one stripe next to that one in a gloss finish. Stripes can create the illusion of the room looking taller too. And how about metallics to bring in some sparkle and shine? There are metallic glazes and paint additives that can be used to add a fresh twist to regular paint colors.
If you do not have the experience in the decorative painting area or straight painting area for that matter, feel free to check out our listing of painting contractors in your area. Many painting contractors offer faux painting and plastering services in addition to straight painting. They can talk more with you about your options for painting techniques in the bathroom.
Lastly, another important thing to consider when painting a bathroom is the type of paint finish that should be used. You should never use a flat finish paint in a bathroom. Just like a kitchen, there is more moisture in the room. The sink, toilet, tub, or shower are all contributing moisture to the space. Flat paint is porous and will soak up the moisture which can cause spots and staining. An eggshell or satin finish paint is the best to use. They are more durable and even washable.
So, if you are planning to paint your bathroom, step out of your comfort zone and explore your options. Once you start there, you may never go back to those boring neutrals again!