The Beginner's Guide to Painting Your Bathroom & Kitchen Tiles

Let me guess. You walk into your kitchen or bathroom and you just... sigh. You’re looking at those same old tiles from twenty years ago. Maybe they’re a faded floral pattern or a colour you can’t stand anymore. I know the feeling. The thought of ripping them all out—the dust, the noise, the cost—is enough to make you just live with them.


But what if I told you there’s another way? A secret weapon that lets you get a brand-new look for your kitchen tiles over a single weekend? The answer is paint. Not just any paint, but a special kind made just for this job.


A while back, I was so tired of my own boring kitchen, so I took the plunge. And honestly, it was one of the best DIY decisions I’ve ever made. Here are 6 colourful ideas, inspired by our beautiful island home, to get you started.


1. The Galle Fort Coastal Look

Imagine the calm, airy feel of a seaside villa. You can bring that right into your home! Paint your tiles a soft, sandy white or a very light beige. Then, create an accent area—like the backsplash behind your stove—with a beautiful sea blue or a gentle turquoise. It makes a small kitchen feel so much bigger and brighter.


2. The Ella Spice Garden Vibe

Our Sri Lankan kitchens are full of wonderful spices, so why not let them inspire your colour palette? A warm, earthy terracotta or a rich mustard yellow can make a kitchen feel incredibly cozy and welcoming. These colours are full of personality and warmth. You don’t have to do the whole room; even just painting the lower half of the tiled wall can create a stunning, grounded look.


3. A Tropical Leafy Green

We live in a lush, green paradise, so let's bring that indoors! An emerald or deep leafy green is a bold but beautiful choice for kitchen tiles. It looks incredibly sophisticated, especially when paired with simple white cabinets or wooden shelves. It turns your kitchen into a stylish, tropical sanctuary. It’s like having a little bit of the hill country right in your home.


4. Classic Black and White

You can absolutely never go wrong with a monochrome look. It is timeless, chic, and surprisingly easy to do. You can create a classic checkerboard pattern on your floor tiles for a retro-cool vibe. Or, for something more modern, paint the tiles white and use a thin black line for a grid effect. It’s a simple change that makes a huge impact.


5. A Pop of Temple Flower Yellow

Feeling a little nervous about going all-in with a bright colour? I get it. A great way to start is with a small, happy accent. Paint most of your tiles a neutral shade like a soft grey or white, and then pick one small area—maybe the tiles behind the sink—and paint them a bright, sunny yellow, like a beautiful temple flower. 


6. Elegant Two-Tone Style

For a really high-end, custom look, try using two shades of the same colour. For example, a light grey and a darker charcoal grey. You can create simple patterns like stripes or alternating blocks of colour. This method gives your tiles depth and a sophisticated look that feels very intentional and designer-led.


Okay, But How Do I Actually Do It?

Now, the important part. You can’t just grab any can of wall paint; it’ll peel and chip off in no time. You need a paint that’s specifically designed to stick to smooth surfaces like tiles. The secret is using a dedicated Dulux paint for tiles, like their Simply Refresh range. It’s made to be durable and give you that smooth, professional finish without needing a professional to do it.


So, stop sighing at your old tiles and start seeing them as a blank canvas. Pick a colour that makes you happy, and give your space the refresh it deserves. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best Paint Colour Combination for Your Interior Wall

Image
Had a long, tiring day at work? Don’t worry — your home is ready to make you feel relaxed. Colours can shift your mood and give you positive energy. That is why selecting the right home colour paint is so important. The right colour combination can make your home feel warm, cheerful, and welcoming. If you are looking to refresh the walls in your living room or your bedroom, here are some lovely Dulux paint colours you can try: 1. Peaches and Cream Want your room to feel warm and bright? Try a soft peach shade on your walls. When paired with white or cream, it creates a perfect balance. The cream tones calm the brightness of peach, making your space look elegant and cheerful. This combination instantly uplifts your mood as soon as you walk in. 2. Burnt Yellow and White Need a comforting something for your parents’ room? Burnt yellow and white are a sweet, soft combo. Not overly muted or brightly over-stimulating – it’s the sweet spot of calm and coziness, perfect for great sleeping. 3....
Read more

Step by Step Dulux Paint Application Methodology for Perfect Walls

Image
To paint your house beautifully, you'll need more than just colour. It requires good preparation and process, together with quality product. Dulux emulsion paint provides a smooth finish, protection, and colour for your interior and exterior walls that lasts. Follow the simple Dulux paint preparation and application steps below to ensure you get perfect walls that look beautiful for years.  1. Interior - Prepare a New Surface Firstly, you should complete all of the masonry work and allow the surface to cure completely, preferably for 28 days. The moisture content must be below 12% before painting. Clean the surface thoroughly from any dust and loose sand and all other contaminants. If cracks are visible up to 1mm, fill the cracks with Dulux Crack Filler , and allow to dry before proceeding. 2. Putty and Filler Apply 1 to 2 coats of Dulux Putty to a thickness of 1 mm to help smooth the wall surface . Dry for 2–3 days depending on the weather, and then sand it out to achieve a good e...
Read more

Easy Tips to Calculate the Right Amount of Paint

Image
Before you paint a thing, it’s smart to know how much paint you will actually need. Here's a simple way to calculate it:  Measure Your Walls Get a buddy and a metal tape measure. Measure the height and width of each wall; then, multiply them together to find the total square footage.  Subtract the Doors and Windows You can measure doors and windows with the same method and subtract that from the total wall space.  Account for Extra Paint After calculating, multiply the remaining square footage by the number of coats of paint (2 coats is usually recommended) and of course, don't forget to allowance a little extra for touch ups! Check the Coverage on Your Paint Can Look for the coverage rate (often shown as f²/l on the paint can or online product details). Divide your total square feet by this number to know exactly how many litres of paint you’ll need. Always remember in mind that good-quality paints often give better coverage, which means you’ll use less for the same beau...
Read more