Paint your bathroom tiles and give them a new style with these tips

No matter how much we think our bathrooms are indestructible, they’re not. In fact, bathrooms are probably the areas of the house that suffer the most from heavy use, excessive humidity (compared to other rooms), and, let’s be honest, we get tired of their style faster than any other space.

And if your bathroom is one of those with tiles on the walls or floors—or even both surfaces—it’s even more likely they’ve become completely outdated, making you feel down every time you see them (and understandably so). A good coat of tile paint can work miracles, we guarantee it. So, what are you waiting for? Update them with paint! You’ll have a refreshed bathroom in no time and for very little money.

We know that change isn’t always welcome at first, but this one is different. You no longer need to remove the tiles one by one, have workers wandering around your house, or endure your bathroom being out of use for over a week. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the step-by-step guide to painting tiles and completely transforming your bathroom in a super easy way. Take note of our practical and simple application guide, as well as the best tips you’ll find. We promise!

Why is painting bathroom tiles so recommended?

If you’re still unsure about how to completely revamp your bathroom, here are the advantages of painting the tiles instead of removing them. From now on, when it’s time to refresh your bathroom, you’ll likely never go back to traditional renovations. Just thinking about the hassle of a remodel with construction work should give you a clear idea, but just in case, here we go!

Debris? No, thanks

The first and most fundamental advantage. Compared to a renovation that involves removing tiles (which requires construction and generates debris), painting is much cleaner and saves you all that trouble.

Easier to apply? Impossible

To carry out your makeover successfully, all you need is paint, a roller, a brush or spray gun, and your two hands. Since the paint is very smooth, it’s easy to work with. Plus, two coats are enough to cover the entire surface. Easier than leaving a group chat.

Quick drying paint

One of the worst parts of renovations is that you can’t use the bathroom for days! With this method, you apply the paint, and in 2–3 hours, you can go back to normal life.

Cleaning is a breeze

Normally, cleaning the bathroom is like facing the final boss of household chores. From now on, you’ll volunteer to do it. Tile paint is completely washable, so you can use any household cleaner you have.

Water-resistant paint

A good tile paint will protect your bathroom against water, steam, and humidity. It repels water effortlessly, without needing extra sealants or varnishes.

UV protection for your bathroom tiles

Having a bathroom with natural light is a luxury, and it’s even better knowing your tiles won’t yellow under UV rays. High-quality tile paints resist UV light perfectly, maintaining their color and properties over time.

Superior adhesion paint

This type of paint adapts to everything. Any tile type works, and it adheres perfectly to the surface. This is key both at the beginning, for an easy application, and at the end, for top-notch finishes.

A paint that resists everything

Scratches? Abrasion? Everyday wear and tear? No problem. This paint provides exceptional mechanical resistance, acting as a shield for floors and walls.

How to paint bathroom tiles step by step

We’ve found an area where you don’t need experience to become a pro: painting bathroom tiles. Thanks to this revolutionary decoration method, you can give your bathroom a whole new look, tailored to your taste, in record time and without construction work.

If you don’t want to spend much money, follow these steps. By the time you’re done, you’ll have a brand-new bathroom sooner than you think.

1 - Clean and prepare the surface

Before step 2 comes step 1. This step is obviously the first one. Therefore, it must be done before starting to paint, and it is the one that will ensure that your DIY renovation Sunday (without construction work) will be a total success.

So, here’s what to do: grab a damp cloth (water and soap usually work) and wipe it over the tiles. One round is generally enough to remove dust or grease.

If things get tough, our Smart Cleaner will leave them as shiny as mirrors.

And before moving on from this step, don’t forget about the grout. If you have some that needs covering, use a grout sealer. Our Smart Jointer (0 to 2 mm) works like a charm.

2 - Delimit the area

Now, grab some masking tape and mark off the area you plan to paint. This helps you clearly visualize the work area and, at the same time, protect the parts you don’t want to paint.
It may seem like a step you can skip on certain days, but we strongly recommend doing it every single time.

3, 2, 1... Paint!

Stay calm—it’s super simple, as we’ve been promising throughout this article. All you have to do is pour the paint into a container, dampen your roller or brush, and apply two coats of paint over the tiles. Done.
Once the first coat is applied, carefully remove the masking tape and let it dry for 2–3 hours. After this, apply a second coat and wait another 2–3 hours for drying. That’s it. Easy, straightforward, and perfect for the whole family. See?

6 cool ideas for painting bathroom tiles

It’s time to find inspiration, just like we’re in a painting class. Here are six great ideas to make your bathroom a better place.

White, a timeless classic

Just like in fashion, white is always a reliable choice for bathroom tile painting. Not only does it go with everything, but it also adds light, light, and more light.

Preserve details from the original wall

Sometimes, not everything has to be black or white. You can paint most of the wall while keeping a cool decorative border and combining it with the new color you’ve chosen.

Two colors, double the effect

This is great for highlighting specific elements within the room. If you like two colors, go for it! For instance, you can paint the walls white and the exterior of the bathtub blue. Contrasts like this look amazing.

Create art in the bathroom with stencils

Unleash your creativity in your bathroom by designing your own stencils. If you feel your design might be too much, try applying it to the floor instead. No worries!

How do you make them? Very easily. You can tape off sections directly on the tiles or create your own patterns using cardboard, shaping them as you like, and painting to your taste.

Paint lines in layers

This option is very easy but takes more time. The idea is to paint intersecting lines in different colors. Start with one color, let it dry, and then move on to the next. We recommend using three colors and, most importantly, starting with the lighter tones first.

Color gradient

Like a sunset over the sea, where colors blend to create stunning combinations—now in your bathroom.

Start with the original (and darkest) paint color at the bottom, gradually mixing in a bit of white in a separate container as you move upward. By the time you reach the top, it’ll be crowned with white.
Warning: be cautious when mixing, as adding white lightens the color very quickly.

10 colors available for painting bathroom tiles

Now comes one of the most fun parts: choosing the color or colors for your bathroom. Remember, as we mentioned earlier, you can combine colors for the floor and walls if needed.

If there’s a bathroom color you love—maybe one you saw in a magazine or visited in person—and it keeps appearing in your dreams, know that you can likely recreate it.

Smartcover Tiles offers 10 different shades with corresponding finishes. This allows you to break away from classic colors like black and white. If you’re feeling bold, why not take a risk? Want warmth? We’ve got a color for that. Need brightness? We’ve got that too. Luxury, spaciousness—whatever feeling you want for your bathroom, you’ll find it within this color range.

Oh, and one more important thing: don’t let the surface stop you from choosing the color you want. Thanks to its excellent adhesion, Smartcover Tiles adapts to any tile type, even rough ones. All you need to do is make sure they’re clean, including the grout.

How long does tile paint last in a bathroom?

Forever. As long as you take proper care of it, of course. That’s right. The durability will also depend on how well the painting process was done. If the tiles were thoroughly cleaned and two coats of paint were applied with the appropriate drying times, there should be no issues. And if any do arise, just give it another coat of paint, and it’ll be as good as new.

6 Bathrooms before and after painting their tiles

And to fully convince you that painting bathroom tiles is a better option than removing them, do you remember when, in the TV show "The Masked Singer" or "Stars in Their Eyes", participants would walk through the door and come out completely unrecognizable? The same thing happens to bathrooms whose tiles have been painted with Smartcover Tiles.

Just like magic, with two coats of paint, they look completely different. Let’s get to the photos!

From Shrek’s bathroom to a magazine-worthy space

As you can see, with a couple of coats of brown tile paint, this bathroom went from looking like something out of an ogre’s home to an example of warmth and relaxation, worthy of the most refined design magazines.

Painting the bathroom floor to change the world

Or at least your world. In this bathroom, they simply chose to paint the floor tiles black to create an elegant contrast with the light-colored walls, combining elegance and brightness. How can painting so little make such a big difference in a space?

Painting the bathroom is adding light

A little extra light never hurts in a bathroom. Here we can see how painting the walls white (including the grout) brightens up the bathroom without needing to flip a light switch. 

White bathrooms go (better) with everything

We can see how painting the wall tiles white increases the options for styling the bathroom. In fact, it looks so good that it even matches better than the previous color with the green soap dispensers.

White paint brings warmth

White doesn’t just add light; when combined with a material like wood, it creates a sense of warmth that is more than welcome in both small and large bathrooms. 

Black + gray = the bathroom of your dreams

Check out the dramatic change when we decide to paint tiles on both surfaces, the floor and the walls. Gray and black—two different yet perfectly complementary colors—come together to create a bathroom you’ll love to see every day.

Have you seen the difference painting bathroom tiles can make?
Now, we invite you to pick your favorite colors and transform your bathroom forever. And yes, you can do it yourself!

Smartcover Tiles: The Ideal Solution for Painting Your Bathroom Tiles

A slightly longer Blablacar ride than usual—let’s say 7 hours. That’s exactly how long it will take for your bathroom to be fully equipped if you decide to paint your tiles with Smartcover Tiles.

We’ve created a tailor-made solution for you: quick, affordable, clean, and fun—the perfect excuse to shake off the laziness and embrace beauty. It’s ideal if your bathroom has been crying out for a makeover for a while, but the idea of dealing with construction work, dust, and debris makes you shudder.

Ditch the work overalls, throw on your comfiest Sunday tracksuit (yes, the one you never wear), and finally give your bathroom the refresh it deserves with the fastest-drying and most innovative tile paint on the market.

We invite you to become a pro for a few hours and get your bathroom looking brand new. With just two coats, you’ll achieve an incredible finish—ready to enjoy in no time!