Painting the bathroom

Tiled bathrooms used to be wildly popular, but nowadays painted bathrooms are more popular. Are you fed up with your bathroom tiles or is your bathroom painting in need of refreshment? In this article we zoom in on the costs, the benefits, suitable types of paint for the bathroom and read useful tips.

Bathroom painting costs

If you are having your bathroom painted, you are naturally most curious about the costs. The cost of your bathroom painting depends on the scope of your project, for instance, will you have your ceiling painted as well as your walls? In addition, the price depends on the type of paint and the hourly rate of the inside painter. Take a look at the chart below to get an idea of the average cost of having your bathroom painted.

What paint do you use in the bathroom?

The painting work in the bathroom has to deal with temperature fluctuations and quite a bit of moisture. Therefore, it is important to choose the right paint when you get your bathroom painted. There are two types of paint that can be used for painting your bathroom.

Latex bathroom paint

When painting your bathroom, painters use special latex-based bathroom paint. This bathroom wall paint and ceiling paint is silk gloss paint, which means that moisture will not adhere to your walls or ceiling. So this paint is also immediately mould-resistant and water-repellent. Apart from that, the paint is also scrub-resistant.

Tile paint

Are you fed up with the look of your current bathroom tiles? Instead of removing the tiles, another option is to give them a lick of paint. Tile paint is completely water-repellent, so it can be applied to tiles throughout the bathroom. Tile paint is scratch and impact resistant and you don’t need to repaint. With tile paint, it is very important to properly degrease the tiles. Tiles have a smoother surface than plastering and if you don’t degrease properly, the paint will take poorly.

Beton paint

Getting your bathroom painted with concrete paint is very popular these days. Concrete paint gives your bathroom a smooth and sleek finish that moisture and dirt find difficult to adhere to. Concrete paint is used by painters for painting sauce work, but also for painting bathroom tiles. Because concrete paint adheres quickly and easily, it dries quickly and therefore you enjoy your painted bathroom faster.

Bathroom painting versus bathroom tiling

As you have read earlier, the painted bathroom is increasingly popular compared to a tiled bathroom. What exactly are the advantages of a painted bathroom over a tiled bathroom? Read about the advantages here.

• Costlier than tiling

Having your bathroom painted is a lot cheaper than having your bathroom tiled. Whereas tiling an entire bathroom takes several days, painting your bathroom can be done in a day. Of course, you will also notice this in the cost of the project. In addition, the material costs are a lot lower.

• Easy switching

Are you tired of the colour of your bathroom after a few years? It is easy to have your bathroom repainted to give your bathroom a new look. With a tiled bathroom, this is more difficult and time-consuming.

• Easy to touch up

If there is unexpected damage in the bathroom paintwork, you can easily touch it up with new paint. If your tiles are damaged, this calls for new tiles and this is a lot more complicated.

Bathroom painting: the steps

Before you engage a painter to paint your bathroom, it is useful to know how the painter will go about it. Read the three steps below.

Step 1: Preparing the bathroom

Before the painter starts painting your bathroom, the painter will first make preparations to protect the rest of your bathroom. For example, the painter carefully tapes everything. In addition, your painter will ensure that the (tiled) wall is well degreased so that the paint adheres perfectly.

Stage 2: Applying the paint

The preparations are done and the painter starts applying the paint. For good coverage, two coats of paint are often needed on the walls or ceiling.

Step 3: Drying the paint

For best results, it is important that the paint in the bathroom dries well. Make sure enough fresh air enters your bathroom, as good ventilation is very important. Leave a window ajar in the bathroom and open the bathroom door.

Take advantage of the low VAT rate on painting your bathroom

Is your house older than 2 years? Then you can claim the reduced VAT rate on painting. This means you pay only 9% VAT instead of the regular 21%, making your painting project considerably more attractive. This rate covers not only the painting itself, but also the preparation of the painting work, materials and pre-treatments. You can read more about the conditions of this reduced VAT rate on the website of the Tax Office.

Tips for your bathroom painting

Your bathroom is a place in the house where you often visit. If you are going to have your bathroom painted, you want the result to be the best it can be and for you to enjoy it for years to come. Read below some handy tips for painting your bathroom.

• Don’t just choose dark colours

Although anthracite and black give your bathroom a modern look, it is important to choose lighter colours too. Many bathrooms have a small surface area, so dark colours quickly make the bathroom look small. If you add dark colours to your bathroom, it is important to alternate them with light colours. Make sure, for example, that your ceiling is lighter than the bathroom walls, so the ceiling appears higher.

• Make sure you have good ventilation

Not only during the drying of the paint is it important that you ventilate your bathroom properly, but ventilation is important in the bathroom anyway. Although bathroom paint is resistant to moisture, ventilation makes the paintwork last longer. You can read more about air extraction systems on the website of the Consumer Association.

• Let yourself be advised

Are you going to get your bathroom painted, but having trouble thinking out your ideas? Don’t hesitate to get advice from different painters. Painting companies have years of experience in painting bathrooms and will be happy to tell you more about this project, the choice of colour and the combination with other materials.

• Request multiple quotes

Painting your bathroom is cheaper than tiling your bathroom, this does not mean that you should go with the first the best painter. There are many painting companies, each with their own prices that vary widely. This makes it possible to look at the value for money for each painting company. For example, look at what is and is not included in the price, such as call-out fees, VAT and materials. It pays to request several painting quotes and compare prices.