The Best Bathroom Ceiling Paint

If there’s one thing we know about bathrooms, it’s that they experience a lot more moisture and humidity than other rooms in a home. That’s why you need the best paint for your bathroom ceiling to ensure it withstands steamy showers for many years.

It’s best to apply paint that can withstand wetter conditions and protect against mold, mildew, or fungi. Using the guide below, you can rest assured your bathroom ceilings are coated in the best paint primer, paint, and finish for your space. Once you’ve picked your bathroom ceiling paint, consider hiring a local interior painter to complete the job.

Best Types of Paint for Bathroom Ceilings

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Flat, white paint sheens are fine, but they likely won’t give your ceilings the wow factor they deserve. Instead, try one of these paint finishes to make your space stand out—and stand up to chips or stains. 

1. Semi-Gloss Paint

Semi-gloss paint finishes have a higher concentration of polyurethane, which makes them ideal for spaces like bathrooms or kitchens. Although “gloss” is included in its name, semi-gloss finishes don’t have a particularly high shine or luster. Plus, this type of paint is durable and mildew-resistant. However, it’s glossier than matte paint and reflects more light, so it’s a better option for smaller rooms with fewer windows, like a bathroom. 

2. Satin Paint

A satin paint finish is less shiny than semi-gloss and is ideal for rooms with more natural light. It’s also a more durable sheen that can withstand frequent scrubbing and cleaning, making it an excellent paint finish for a bathroom ceiling. One downside to satin paint jobs is that it’s more prone to show imperfections like cracks, patches, or divots in the drywall. 

3. High-Gloss Paint 

If you’re an experienced painter with a flare for the dramatic, high-gloss paint is a specialty finish that can make a true statement on your bathroom ceilings. It produces an almost mirror-like effect on walls, and you should only use it on surfaces without heavy texture or imperfections. 

4. Moisture-Resistant Paint

When steam rises in your bathroom, moisture-resistant paint can combat the moisture to keep the color pristine. This type of paint creates a barrier that keeps wet particles from seeping into the ceiling, preventing mold and mildew from forming. A few coats of moisture-resistant paint are no match for those splashes from the tub or excess steam from a hot shower. 

5. Air-Purifying Paint

It’s no secret that the bathroom harbors more offensive smells, which is why air-purifying paint can help improve the air quality in a small space. This type of paint works by removing existing VOCs from the air and trapping them once they come in contact with the paint.

Best Types of Primer for Bathroom Ceilings

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Although primer isn’t necessary for all paint jobs, it’s worth considering for your bathroom paint, especially if you’re transitioning from a light to dark color or vice versa. Primer not only helps give your paint something to adhere to but also covers imperfections and conceals stains. 

Latex Primer

Primers often get a bad rap for their high VOC levels, but latex primers are a water-soluble acrylic that doesn’t produce VOCs. This trait makes it an ideal choice for interior spaces, especially in homes with small children or people with breathing issues. Plus, this type of primer dries in 3 to 4 hours, as opposed to oil-based primers that can take up to one day or more to dry. 

Oil-Based Primer 

If you’re not concerned about heavy fumes or VOCs, oil-based primers are another option, especially if your bathroom ceiling is wooden. This type of primer prevents paint coats from expanding or contracting, so it’s the perfect selection for rooms that experience frequent changes in temperature.

Cost to Paint Bathroom Ceilings

Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire professional painters, the cost of painting a bathroom ceiling is typically between $100 and $200, as it is such a small area. However, due to the effects of moisture on paint from the repeated use of showers, bathtubs, and sinks, painting more frequently may be necessary to not only improve how the bathroom looks, but also keep germs that humidity can generate at bay.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Whether you choose to paint a bathroom ceiling yourself or hire a local ceiling painting service will depend on various factors, such as your budget, skillset, and available time. If you decide to paint yourself, you’ll need to buy the paint and supplies. This can include wall cleaners, drop cloths, painter’s tape, brushes and rollers, a roller tray, and a roller extension pole.

While a bathroom ceiling is a small area, it may present a challenge if you are inexperienced in painting around fixtures or in tight corners. Hiring a professional to do the job will ensure it’s painted to your specifications. A painter will also bring their own supplies and buy the paint at a wholesale price.