Not Your Normal Paint Question...

Updated on March 11, 2011
R.D. asks from Richmond, VA
16 answers

1- My bathroom does NOT have a fan and the existing paint is peeling from the humidity and moisture. It's crappy, cheap paint (that the landlord used before we moved in). Before I hit the hardware store, are there any paints that will resist peeling from the moisture? Maybe outdoor paint?

2- It's a very small (ugly, awful) bathroom, and when I do paint, it's NOT GOING TO BE WHITE!! Being as it's small, I'd like a color to brighten the room, but not so much that you're thinking 'wow, that's hurting my eyes' when you're using the bathroom, LOL! Any color suggestions? The floor tile is gray, and everything else in there is black/white so anything would work. We used to have a red bathroom that I LOVED, but I think red is too bold for this small space.

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So What Happened?

Landlord is buddy buddy with us and doesn't care about paint, as long as we're taking care of the property (since he's kind of not)... my mom suggested a light, beachy torquise, thoughts?

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J.G.

answers from Dallas on

Valspar paint from lowes has a specific paint for bathrooms and kitchens that resists mold and mildew.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi - I haven't read the other responses, but you should get a small dehumidifier. We have an Eva Dry (from Amazon.com), and it works great in the bathroom. For color, I think a powder blue would look nice with grey/black/white.

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S.T.

answers from New York on

most paint stores will have a powder additive you can add to any paint that will make it resistant to peeling, mold, etc. Don't recall the name of it but it comes in a packet tha tyou tear open and mix in to your paint. Use KILZ as someone below recommended - as a primer. If you're painting latex on top of an older paint that was oil based it's going to be a problem - but a good primer like KILZ will help alot.

If you like red you can still do red - but tone it down to a richer, deeper, red like burgundy, or a brick color. Deep greens and blues are nice too. I plan on using a creamy-turquios-gray in my bathroom (volkswagon beetle has a car color that I'm trying to copy).

A top quality paint makes a huge difference. Benjamin Moore paint is the best made, professional painters prefer to use it beucase it has true colors (to the paint chip) and goes on well, lasts long and is durable.

Have fun!

2 moms found this helpful
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N.S.

answers from Austin on

Before you paint, primer with KILZ... a couple times! Can get it at Home Depot or similar stores. I have gutted a 75 year old small bathroom, so I have some experience here.

Ours had art deco black and white tile and we kept the white cast iron tub and black shelving-I did white wainscoting/bead board halfway up with a rail and then painted the upper half a very light crystal-like icy blue-grey.....very subtle, almost white, but definite difference between the two colors.

Good luck, bathroom's are SO much fun to redo!

2 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Try Kilz primer and paint. Supposed to resist mold and moisture. We've used it in our bathrooms with some success, least it takes LONGER to get mildewy than it does with regular paint.

:)

2 moms found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

Use the primer others are talking about and as far as paint I would suggest Behr or velspar (eggshell, or semi-gloss, we did eggshell), we just painted our Bathroom a beautiful Orange, We have white everything else. and well we love it. (it's like a cuties orange color) a true orange. Not super bright but bright enough.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

@Lucky, a bathroom has to have either a Window OR an exhaust fan. If it has a window, it does NOT need to have an exhaust fan...

We had the same problem in our bathroom. It had a window so we didn't have an exhaust fan. We ended up installing one.

Lowes has a paint by Valspar - Kitchen and Bath Paint. It says that it is designed for moist, steamy locations. Using the soft-gloss or matte finish will help reduce glare and the 'wet' appearance.
They have two colors - Blue Twilight and Mercer Blue that sound/look like they might work.

Here is a link to their colors.
http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/color-selec...

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

I think red will hurt your eyes LOL! I didn't think it was legal to have a bathroom without an exhaust fan...Yikes...The landlord could be in trouble. Ok tile is gray...how about a real light shade of gray, blue, gray/mauve???

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

KILZ does wonders with moist environments! & it does come in colors now.

Color options: yellow is great with black/white....as are most other colors. Will your landlord allow you to use color or do you need to stick with accessories to bring in that color?

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

There is stuff for in the paint to prohibit mildew, etc. I think it's a powder you stir in....

Not being a fan of blues and turquoises myself, and considering you have grey/black/white to work with, I'd probably consider pale yellow. Will keep a sense of the space you DO have.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

We did a light "beachy-turquoise" in our small bathroom and Love it! Our tiles are creamy beige with some grey & off-white, tiles on floor, wainscotting, vanity top, and shower surround. So, we only have paint on the upper 2/3 of wall AND ceiling! Here's another vote for the Kilz--be sure to clean the walls (remove as much peeling paint as possible) and have it very dry before painting (run a fan, don't use the shower for a week before, etc). Good luck! That's great that you have such an accomodating landlord!

1 mom found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I didn't read any of your other responses, but my vote is for a light, bright lime green. Seen that pictured with black and white, and LOVE IT!

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

I think red would still be a good color with the gray/black/white but if too much for you try a peach/orange or a creamy yellow ( not bright ) as they would look nice with the other colors already there. I don't know about the types of paint but you got some good replies.

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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

a shade of red could work-

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J.C.

answers from Lynchburg on

I was actually going to suggest a light teal color. That's what we have, and we love it. When I go in and take a long shower, it's so easy to feel like I'm at a nice spa or something. Love it! Not sure about the other part, but I'm with your mom-a light turquois would be great.

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J.G.

answers from Washington DC on

Everything else is pretty neutral so you can pick any color! Choose one you love and think about the mood you want to have in your bathroom. A pretty light blue/turquoise would be great and peaceful as would a light green. Yellow would be cheery and bright, very contrast-y with the black. Red is bold but would rev you up in the morning and if you love the color it would make you happy! There are alot of reds out there--test first so you get the right tone. The wrong one could be heavy and dark. Good luck!

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