How much does it cost to paint a bathroom?
Painting a bathroom is often a quicker and more affordable way to refresh its look compared to retiling.
Based on 1,254 bathroom painting projects posted through BuilderPlaza, the average cost of bathroom painting services is around $3,384.97. The most affordable job involved wall repair and painting at $1,249.56, while the most expensive was a full bathroom repaint with waterproof coating costing $5,673.42.
At BuilderPlaza, you can quickly find professional bathroom painting contractors and other home improvement experts in your area. Filling out our quick and free project request form doesn’t obligate you to anything—you’ll simply receive competitive offers from trusted local professionals.
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On average, you’ll receive 3-4 quotes from contractors
Factors affecting the cost of bathroom painting
Several key factors influence how much it costs to paint a bathroom. These include the size of your bathroom, the condition of surfaces, necessary preparations, and the type of paint used.
Larger bathrooms and damaged or uneven surfaces naturally require more labor, preparation, and materials, driving up your total cost.
The quality and type of paint selected also significantly impact the price. For example, specialty waterproof paints designed for bathrooms to withstand moisture and temperature fluctuations tend to be more expensive.
Latest bathroom painting projects on BuilderPlaza
Here are some recent bathroom paintjob projects from our clients:
| Project | Location | Project category |
|---|---|---|
| High cost paint in big corporate restroom | Carson, CA | Bathroom painting, Waterproofing for bathrooms |
| Refresh color in townhouse bath | Torrance, CA | Bathroom painting, Bathroom surface refinishing |
| Update color on half bath walls and door | Whittier, CA | Bathroom painting, Caulking and silicone seal replacement |
| Fresh coat for shower ceiling | Riverside, CA | Bathroom painting, Waterproofing for bathrooms |
| Repaint bathroom ceiling | San Francisco, CA | Bathroom painting, Waterproofing for bathrooms |
| Repaint big master with special finishing | Folsom, CA | Bathroom painting, Nano coating for bathroom surfaces |
| Luxury paint job in corporate restroom | Carson, CA | Bathroom painting, Nano coating for bathroom surfaces |
| Repaint bathroom walls | San Leandro, CA | Bathroom painting, Bathroom surface refinishing |
| Paint shower ceiling | Riverside, CA | Bathroom painting, Waterproofing for bathrooms |
| Repaint all surfaces | Indio, CA | Bathroom painting, Bathroom surface refinishing |
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Why choose painting for your bathroom update?
Painting your bathroom is a great choice when you want a quick, budget-friendly upgrade to refresh its appearance.
This is especially effective if your tiles are intact but dated, worn, or simply not your style anymore. Painting gives you a fresh, modern look without the hassle or high cost of extensive remodeling.
Painting works particularly well for:
- Updating tiles without removing them
- Freshening up walls and ceilings
- Cost-effective bathroom makeovers
Common bathroom surfaces suitable for painting include:
- Ceramic tiles
- Concrete or drywall
- Wood surfaces, provided they are moisture-sealed properly
Choosing the right paint for bathrooms
Bathrooms are challenging environments because of constant humidity, water splashes, and temperature fluctuations. Your paint must handle these conditions to stay durable and keep your bathroom looking good for years.
Key features to look for in bathroom paints include:
- Moisture resistance: Paint must withstand frequent moisture and direct water contact.
- Resistance to temperature fluctuations: Paint must maintain adhesion and appearance despite changing temperatures.
- Mold and mildew resistance: Bathrooms require paint specifically formulated to prevent mold and mildew growth.
- Easy cleaning: Surfaces must tolerate regular cleaning and household chemicals without deteriorating.
Recommended bathroom paint options include:
- Rust-Oleum Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit: Ideal for repainting ceramic tiles, providing excellent moisture resistance and durability.
- Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa: Premium-quality paint specially formulated for high humidity environments, offering strong protection against mildew.
- Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex: Great choice for walls and ceilings, with built-in mold resistance, ideal for wet environments.
For wood ceilings or panels, start with a moisture-blocking primer like Zinsser Mold Killing Primer, then apply a high-quality, mildew-resistant bathroom paint such as Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa for the best protection and finish.
Preparing your bathroom for painting
Before painting, it’s essential to thoroughly clean the bathroom. Remove all dirt, soap scum, and grease to ensure proper paint adhesion. Use bathroom-specific cleaners and rinse all surfaces completely before moving forward.
Surface preparation
After cleaning, apply a primer specifically designed for bathrooms or tile surfaces. A quality primer improves paint adhesion, creating a durable finish. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying times and application methods.
Protecting areas before painting
Protect surfaces you don’t want to paint by using painter’s tape, plastic sheets, or masking paper. Pay extra attention to fixtures, flooring, cabinets, and trim to prevent accidental paint drips or splashes.
Painting different bathroom areas
Painting bathroom tiles
Painting tiles is an affordable, quick way to refresh your bathroom without removing the tiles. Choose a specialty tile paint, ensure thorough cleaning and priming, and carefully follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
Painting bathroom ceilings
Your bathroom ceiling is frequently exposed to humidity and temperature fluctuations, making it especially important to choose high-quality bathroom ceiling paint. Apply moisture-resistant paint evenly, ensuring thorough coverage to protect against mold and mildew.
Painting bathroom floors
Bathroom floors experience heavy foot traffic and constant moisture exposure, requiring careful paint selection. Opt for floor-specific paints or epoxy coatings designed for bathrooms, ensuring surfaces are fully dry and clean before application.
Always consider the slip-resistance of your floor paint. Many manufacturers offer anti-slip additives or coatings to improve bathroom floor safety.
After painting
Disposal of leftover paint
Dispose of leftover paint responsibly. Never pour paint down the drain or throw it in household trash. Instead, take unused paint and solvents to your local hazardous waste disposal or recycling facility.
Drying time and final touches
Allow freshly painted surfaces to dry thoroughly according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Most bathroom paints become touch-dry within 24 hours, but full curing—especially for tile paints or waterproof coatings—can take up to 3–4 weeks.
After curing, inspect all surfaces carefully, addressing any imperfections or uneven areas to ensure a clean, professional finish.
DIY bathroom painting or hire a professional?
You can paint your bathroom yourself if you have the necessary experience, tools, and time.
However, if you’re unsure of your skills or prefer guaranteed quality, hiring professional bathroom painting contractors is usually worth the investment.
BuilderPlaza helps you easily find and compare trusted local professionals for your bathroom painting project. Fill out a quick, free project request form and get competitive bids today.
Don’t overlook ventilation
Proper ventilation is crucial for bathroom painting projects in the US, where many bathrooms lack adequate natural airflow. Good ventilation reduces drying times, prevents paint odors from lingering, and protects against moisture-related paint issues like peeling or mildew growth. Use exhaust fans, keep windows open during and after painting, or consider adding ventilation if your bathroom doesn’t already have sufficient airflow.
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Frequently asked about bathroom painting
On average, a professional painter can complete a bathroom painting project in 1–3 days, depending on the bathroom’s size and condition. DIY painting typically takes slightly longer due to drying times and preparation work.
Bathrooms typically require repainting every 3–5 years. High-quality, moisture-resistant paint can extend this period, while frequent moisture exposure or poor ventilation may require repainting sooner.
Never paint directly over mold or mildew, as it will continue growing under the new paint. Thoroughly clean and treat mold-affected surfaces with mold-killing primer before painting to prevent recurring issues.
Light and neutral shades like white, cream, beige, or soft pastels help small bathrooms feel brighter and more spacious. Consider moisture-resistant, satin, or semi-gloss finishes to maximize light reflection and ease of cleaning.
Yes. Bathroom ceilings require moisture-resistant, mold- and mildew-inhibiting paints specifically formulated for humid environments. Regular ceiling paint often peels or develops mold quickly.
Painting a bathroom is generally much cheaper than installing new tiles. If your current tiles are in good condition, repainting them can significantly reduce your renovation costs.
Painting bathroom cabinets is a cost-effective way to refresh your bathroom without a complete remodel. If your cabinets are structurally sound but visually outdated, repainting is usually the best value option.
Professional bathroom cabinet repainting typically costs between $400–$1,200, depending on cabinet size, condition, and paint choice. DIY options are significantly cheaper, typically under $200 for materials.
Yes, repairing drywall or surface damage typically increases costs. The average bathroom wall repair and painting cost varies, but minor repairs generally add between $150–$500 to your project total.
You can find trusted local bathroom painting contractors easily through BuilderPlaza. Complete a free request form and quickly receive competitive quotes for your project.
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