How to Paint Bathroom Tiles

If you’re planning a bathroom renovation and want to change the colour scheme, your current tiles may no longer work with the design. However, bathroom tiles can be expensive to replace and tiling your bathroom can be time-consuming, so painting them is a great way to update your bathroom on a budget.

Many different tile paints are available, so you can find a solution to suit your bathroom. Choose from various shades and finishes, including gloss, satin, and matt paint. We recommend using a primer before painting to help it adhere to the surface and boost your paintwork’s longevity.

If you’re painting tiles for the first time, follow our step-by-step guide for the best results. We’ll cover prep work, painting and aftercare to help you ensure a professional finish.

Before you start painting, cover your bathroom floor and fixtures to prevent paint splashes. Depending on where the tiles are, this may include windows, doors, shower enclosures and trays, baths, sinks, taps, toilets, radiators and towel rails. Use dust sheets, newspaper or bin bags to protect these areas.

Mask around the edges of tiled areas where they meet the walls, ensuring a neat finish on your paintwork. This means less cleaning up afterwards, as you should be able to remove the tape when the paint is dry and achieve a clean edge around the tiled zone.

Once the prep work is complete, it’s time to start painting! Use a roller or brush to apply your chosen paint, covering the tiles and the grout (you can tidy this part up later). If you’re painting dark or patterned tiles with a lighter colour, you may need a second coat.

Thinking about removing your bathroom tiles completely? Explore our step-by-step guide for more help. Then, replace them with bathroom wall panels, which can be easier to clean and keep mould-free.