Which paint for the kitchen?

Satin or semi-gloss acrylic - withstands splashes, grease and frequent cleaning.

Do bathrooms need special paint?

Yes, satin anti-mould or acrylic paint to withstand water vapour and micro-organisms.

Choosing Paint for Kitchen & Bathroom

The kitchen and bathroom are the most demanding rooms in any home. If you paint them with a standard living-room emulsion, your effort will be wasted - stains, cracking and black spots will appear very quickly. Let's see which paint truly holds up, when it solves the problem, and when it merely covers it up.

The Enemies: Moisture, Mould & Grease

Infographic: Bathroom (steam, mould) vs Kitchen (grease, stains, smoke)

Bathrooms and kitchens share the moisture challenge, but their demands differ noticeably:

The Bathroom - King of Steam

During a hot shower, huge amounts of steam fill the room. When that steam hits cold walls (condensation), it creates the perfect breeding ground for mould.

The Kitchen - Kingdom of Stains

Here the main enemy is grease, food splatter and smoke. The paint must resist stains (stain-resistant) and clean easily.

Technical Features: What to Read on the Label

For paint to survive tough conditions, look for four critical properties:

Infographic: 4 key paint properties - Class 1, anti-mould, anti-condensation, sheen level

Scrub Resistance - Class 1 (EN 13300)

The most important spec. Lets you scrub grease, stains and soap residue with a sponge without damaging the paint film.

Anti-Mould / Fungicidal Action

Paints containing biocides and fungicidal additives actively prevent mould spores from growing on the surface.

Anti-Condensation Technology

A different approach: contain glass microspheres that insulate thermally - keeping the wall warmer and preventing condensation (tackling the cause of mould).

Sheen Level

Satin or eggshell finishes clean more easily. However, modern ultra-washable matte paints with hydrophobic technology (beading effect) now rival them.

When Paint Solves - and When It Covers Up

Infographic: Paint as solution (surface condensation) vs paint as cover-up (structural issues)

An expensive "specialist" paint is no magic wand. The difference comes down to the source of the problem:

✓ Solves - Surface condensation

Mould caused purely by steam due to poor ventilation? An anti-mould/anti-condensation paint deals with this effectively.

✓ Solves - Grease stains

A Class 1 paint with stain-repellent technology stops grease and coffee from penetrating the pores of the wall.

✗ Covers up - Painting over live mould

If you paint without first killing the mould (bleach or biocide), it will keep feeding under the paint film.

✗ Covers up - Structural damp

Broken pipe, poor roof waterproofing or rising damp? No paint can replace structural waterproofing.

Selection Algorithms: Bathroom & Kitchen

Follow these logical steps for each room separately:

Infographic: Two selection algorithms - one for bathroom, one for kitchen

Room	Question	Answer & Solution
Bathroom	Is mould already present?	YES → Clean with biocide + stain-blocker primer first
	Good ventilation + insulation?	YES → Anti-mould Kitchen & Bath paint (Class 1-2)
	Cold ceiling, poor extraction?	YES → Anti-condensation paint + fungicidal action
Kitchen	Wall behind hob/sink?	YES → Class 1 scrubbable, satin/semi-gloss, stain-repellent
	Heavy steam without extractor?	YES → Anti-mould Kitchen & Bath (especially ceiling)
	Dining area ceiling/walls?	Premium emulsion Class 1-2 is sufficient

Conclusion

In the kitchen and bathroom, paint selection must be strategic. Always look for Class 1 scrub resistance, check whether anti-mould or anti-condensation technology is needed, and - above all - never paint over live mould or structural damp. The right diagnosis before painting saves money, time and frustration.