Bathrooms are one of the most popular rooms to paint. So it’s logical to find yourself wondering if you can reasonably tackle a bathroom project. 

But, how long does it take to paint a bathroom? 

In this article, we will discuss what’s involved in a bathroom painting project and how much time you’ll likely invest to paint your bathroom.

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Painting a Bathroom: How Much Time Should You Budget?

A bathroom can take anywhere from two to six hours depending on the:

  • Size of the bathroom
  • Prep work to be done
  • Type of paint you choose; and
  • Number of coats of paint needed

If you’re doing a thorough job, including priming and painting all trim, you may want to set aside a full day. 

However, if you are just painting the walls, the job should only take around two to three hours.

4 Phases to Consider When Determining How Long it Takes to Paint a Bathroom

Painting a bathroom can be an overwhelming task. 

It is important to know what you are getting into and how long it will take before committing to any painting project. 

Four phases can help determine how long your project will take: 

  1. Preparation
  2. Painting
  3. Drying/Curing
  4. Resetting the Bathroom

Keep reading to learn about the average amount of time you may need for each phase, as well as what each entails.

#1: Preparation

Preparing to paint a bathroom can often be the most time-consuming part of the process. However, preparing well pays off in the end, saving time during later steps. 

Some of the preparations you may need to do include: 

  • Removing furniture and fixtures from the room
  • Stripping any old paint or wallpaper
  • Sanding down any rough patches on the walls
  • Cleaning the surface of the walls to be painted

If you take care of all of these steps before beginning to paint, you’ll save yourself time and effort down the road.

Items to Purchase or Gather

To prepare to paint a bathroom, there are a few items you will need to purchase or gather, including: 

  • Paint
  • Pans
  • Primer
  • Paintbrushes
  • Brushes and rollers
  • Trim paint
  • Drop cloths or tarps
  • Painter’s tape
  • A ladder, if needed

If you have all of these items on hand, you’ll be ready to start painting as soon as you’re ready.

Estimated time: This can take anywhere from a couple of hours to an entire day, depending on how much painting will be done and the size of the room.

Obstacles to Remove

When you’re ready to paint your bathroom, one of the first things you’ll need to do is get all the furniture and fixtures out. 

Some of what you will need to remove include:

  • Toilet bowl
  • Outlet covers
  • Wall hangings
  • Towel bars
  • Mirrors

Fixtures or other obstructions (i.e. tub, sink, etc.) that will not be removed should be covered with drop cloths.

Preparing in this way should give your newly painted bathroom a finished look, but can be a tricky process if you are doing it yourself. 

Estimated time: This will vary depending on how much needs to be moved and how many obstacles are in the way.Let the professionals do the grunt work for you. Call A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration today.

Walls to Prepare

If you are painting your bathroom walls, there are a few things that need to be done before the paint goes on. Be sure to:

  • Clean the walls
  • Patch any holes
  • Sand down areas where needed
  • Tape off the trim and ceiling

These preparatory steps are important for the paint to adhere well and last.

If you are hiring a professional, they will likely do all of this for you. 

However, if you’re doing it yourself, make sure you take the time to do it properly.

By getting everything prepared ahead of time, you’ll save yourself plenty of hassle (and money) in the long run.

Estimated time: This could take two to three hours, depending on how extensive the preparation needs to be.

#2: Painting

Before starting to paint, be sure that you use primer on all the trim in the bathroom. This will help your paint last for longer. 

For best results with roller painting, use a medium-nap roller cover. 

If you’re painting with brushes, cut in close to the trim and around fixtures. 

To make sure that your second coat of paint is fully covered, use a good quality brush or roller cover.

Estimated Time: This will depend on how much needs to be painted but the average time to paint a room can range anywhere from two to three hours just for painting the walls.

#3: Drying and Curing

Drying and curing are two different phases of how long it takes to paint a bathroom: 

  • Drying is the process that takes place after painting, which helps create a strong bond between the paint and the surface.
  • Curing, on the other hand, is the process that happens over time as the paint dries. 

The curing process is important because it helps to strengthen the bond between the layers of paint, which makes the paint less likely to chip or peel over time.

What happens if you don’t wait on curing to happen? 

Well, if you don’t let the paint fully cure and dry before using it, your bathroom will likely be covered in chips and peeling paint very soon. 

So how long does it take for a room to cure? 

Typically speaking, bathrooms should wait at least two days (ideally longer) before use. If you’re in a hurry, you can accelerate the curing process by using a heat gun or hair dryer.

But, be careful not to overdo it. Too much heat can damage the paint and make it less resilient to future wear and tear.

Estimated time: This depends on how many coats of paint you used, as well as the size of the room. It can range from two hours to one week. 

#4: Resetting the Bathroom

After the drying and curing process is complete, it’s time to reset the bathroom for use. 

This includes replacing …

  • The toilet bowl
  • Outlet covers
  • Mirrors
  • Towel bars

… and any other obstructions you removed before painting. 

You may also want to replace the curtains, blinds, and other decorations. 

Be sure to take your time and do everything properly so that your bathroom looks as good as new.

Estimated time: This can take about an hour to one full day, depending on how many things need to be replaced.

Does a DIY Bathroom Painting Project Seem Daunting? Let Our Experts at A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration Complete the Project for You, Professionally

As you can see, painting a bathroom is no easy task.

But with access to an expert team of painters, you’ll be able to have your bathroom painted without any fuss. 

For those who are looking for professional help or have little experience painting bathrooms on their own, consider hiring our experts at A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration. 

We offer reasonably priced painting services that include everything from preparation through resetting the room back up again when we’re done. 

Our hard work and exceptional final product will be difficult to match.

To find out more about how A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration can paint your bathroom professionally from start-to-finish by contacting us today.