Kitchen and bathroom walls face a different daily routine from a bedroom wall. Before choosing a colour, separate the surfaces that will be painted from tiles, cabinets and damp areas. A digital preview helps you compare looks; it cannot diagnose moisture or confirm a coating is suitable.
Kitchen: start with the fixed surfaces
Look at the countertop, backsplash, cabinets and floor in daylight and under your actual task lighting. If most of the kitchen is already tiled, the remaining painted area may be small. Measure that area rather than estimating four complete walls. Try two or three colours beside the cabinets: a warm off-white can feel different against a cool grey tile, and a muted green can look brighter under a strong lamp.
Choose a finish whose product instructions allow cleaning on the intended surface. Ask the retailer for the product's technical information and cleaning guidance. Keep the cooking area ventilated and follow the manufacturer's application instructions. Paint is not a substitute for a suitable tile or other specified surface where the wall is repeatedly splashed or exposed to heat.
Bathroom: deal with moisture first
Check for active leaks, peeling, mould marks and damp patches. Find and repair the cause before any new coating. Ask your painter which surfaces can be painted and which need a product specified for wet or humid conditions. Do not assume a coating labelled “washable” is suitable for direct shower water. Ventilation and drying time matter, especially when the room stays humid or the weather is damp.
If a bathroom is tiled up to the ceiling, there may be very little wall area to paint. Measure the ceiling separately if it is part of the work. If the space has a painted upper wall, note the height of the tiles and measure only above that line. Ask for a written preparation plan if existing paint is lifting or the plaster feels soft.
Preview colours without mistaking the image for a promise
In the room colour planner, select “Kitchen” or “Bathroom” to see a matching illustrative room. The wall colour control changes the sample image; it does not show how the paint will look on your own tiles and light fittings. Shortlist a few shades and test physical samples on the actual wall. Compare in morning light, evening light and with the room's artificial lighting switched on.
Use a manufacturer's shade card or shop sample to record the exact product, finish and shade code. The HEX shown on screen is only a digital reference. Screens, photo processing and wall texture all affect appearance.
Make an estimate that reflects the real job
- Measure only the paintable wall sections and subtract doors, windows and fully tiled sections.
- Enter the actual paint coverage and number of coats from the product instructions.
- Include a ceiling only if it is being painted. Add primer or putty if your painter's preparation plan calls for them.
- Request a separate price for repairs and waterproofing where needed; the paint calculator does not diagnose or price these.
The paint calculator assumes full rectangular walls and subtracts an area you enter for openings. For partially tiled walls, calculate the actual paintable area separately and confirm the quantity with your painter before ordering. The quote checklist helps you ask about preparation, products, drying and exclusions.