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The Best Type of Paint Finish for a Small Damp Bathroom

Small, humid bathrooms can benefit from paint finishes formulated to withstand steamy showers. Paint finish refers to a paint's gloss or sheen and directly impacts the durability and light-reflective capacity of the painted surface. The shinier paint finishes have a capacity to reflect more light, making a small bathroom appear larger. The best type of paint finish for a bathroom depends on its capacity to resist moisture, ability to reflect light, and its durability, but you'll also want to take into consideration your personal preference.
  1. Semigloss

    • Semigloss paint is commonly used in bathrooms. Typically, semigloss is more resistant to humidity and withstands scuffing, chipping and staining, making it ideal for painting bathroom walls. It is also a durable paint finish that is easy to clean. Semigloss paint finishes have a generous capacity for reflecting light, giving a small bathroom the illusion of being larger.

    Satin

    • A satin paint finish has a pearl-like sheen that is not as reflective as a semigloss finish but is a tad glossier than an eggshell finish. Satin finish paints are widely used in bathrooms because they are durable, easy to scrub and have a moderately glossy appearance. This finish is not as shiny or as light reflective as the semigloss but does modestly reflect light enough to make a small bathroom appear more open and airy.

    Matte

    • Matte or flat paint finishes are the least shiny of all finishes. Their dull appearance makes them a poor light reflector, which does nothing in facilitating the illusion of a small bathroom looking larger. Typically, matte finishes are susceptible to moisture damage, stains and scuffs, making them a poor candidate for bathroom walls. However, Benjamin Moore offers a bathroom paint--Aura Bath and Spa--with a matte-finish formulated to lock out moisture and resist water staining.

    Considerations

    • Taking precautions to prevent excessive moisture buildup in a bathroom may facilitate the longevity of your paint finish. Crack a window or turn on an exhaust fan when taking a steamy shower, helping to circulate the bathroom air. Air conditioners pull excess moisture out of the air during summer months. Also, leave the bathroom door and shower curtain open when they are not in use.