Kitchen and Bathroom Paint Guide

Why kitchens and bathrooms are different

These rooms deal with steam, grease, and constant cleaning. That’s why paint that looks great in a living room can fail quickly in a kitchen or bathroom. The solution isn’t always “go glossy.” It’s to choose the right finish and prep properly.

This guide shows you how to balance durability with the Farrow & Ball-style muted aesthetic.

Step 1: Choose the right finish for the room

Finish is the most important decision in kitchens and bathrooms. It controls washability, moisture resistance, and how the colour reads in reflected light.

If you’re unsure, start with eggshell for walls and satin for trim. Use the finish cheat sheet for more detail.

Step 2: Choose colours that tolerate artificial light

Kitchens and bathrooms are often lit with cool or mixed bulbs. That can make warm neutrals look yellow and cool neutrals look sterile.

Use the light guide to understand how your bulbs will affect undertones before you commit.

Step 3: Match paint to cabinets and tiles

These rooms often have strong materials: counters, tiles, and cabinetry. Paint should support them, not compete.

Use the materials guide to align undertones and avoid clashes.

Step 4: Prep for moisture and grease

Kitchens and bathrooms need extra prep. Clean thoroughly, degloss any shiny surfaces, and use a stain-blocking primer on problem areas.

For the full prep process, use the prep guide.

Step 5: Cabinets and woodwork need a different approach

Cabinets take more abuse than walls. Use a harder-wearing finish (satin or a dedicated cabinet paint) and ensure the surface is properly degreased and sanded before painting.

If you want a softer look, use eggshell but accept that it will show wear sooner. The finish guide explains the tradeoffs.

Step 6: Ventilation matters more than paint

No paint survives constant moisture without ventilation. If you have condensation problems, fix airflow first. Paint is not a substitute for ventilation.

Step 7: Test properly in real conditions

Test your samples with the lights you actually use and at the times you use the room most. Use large boards and follow the sampling guide.

Step 8: Choose mould-resistant systems where needed

Bathrooms and poorly ventilated kitchens benefit from mould-resistant primers and topcoats. This doesn’t change the colour, but it dramatically improves longevity.

If you’re seeing recurring mould, paint alone won’t fix it. Treat the source first, then repaint.

Step 9: Define splash zones and use tougher finishes

Not every wall in a kitchen or bathroom needs the same finish. The walls near sinks, showers, and cooktops take the most abuse.

Use a tougher finish or a wipeable panel in these zones, then keep the rest of the room in a softer finish for a more refined look. This is a good way to keep the Farrow & Ball feel without sacrificing durability.

Step 10: Keep colour families tight

Kitchens and bathrooms often have strong tile and metal finishes. Keep wall and cabinet colours in the same undertone family so the space doesn’t feel busy. Use a single soft white for trim to keep the room calm.

If you need guidance, the whites guide shows how to choose a white that supports the rest of the palette.

Common kitchen and bathroom mistakes

• Using silk everywhere: Too shiny and highlights defects.
• Skipping primer: Leads to peeling and patchiness.
• Ignoring tile undertones: The paint looks wrong immediately.
• Testing in daylight only: Most use is under artificial light.
• Over-scrubbing matt paint: Causes burnishing.

Avoid these and you’ll get a durable finish without sacrificing style.

The reality check

Kitchens and bathrooms can still look soft and sophisticated. Choose the right finish, align undertones with your materials, prep properly, and test in real light. That’s how you get durability without the glossy look.

Start with the best dupes list and use the finish cheat sheet before buying.