Quick answer: for Singapore’s humidity, use a washable interior emulsion on walls, an anti-mould range for bathrooms, kitchens and poorly ventilated bedroom ceilings, and a weather-resistant exterior emulsion such as Nippon Weatherbond for outside walls (5L white about S$114–117; Nippon lists coverage of about 9 m² per litre per coat). The surface matters as much as the paint: fix leaks and damp first, paint only on a dry wall, and seal patched or porous areas before the topcoat. Upgrading bedroom ceilings to anti-mould paint costs +$40 per bedroom with our HDB packages.
What humidity does to paint in Singapore
Singapore’s air is humid all year, so walls in bathrooms, kitchens and closed-up bedrooms rarely dry out fully. That shows up as black mould on ceilings, paint that bubbles or peels where water gets behind it, and coats that take longer to dry. The fix is partly the paint and partly the wall: no paint lasts on a wall that stays damp.
Which paint to use where
| Area | What to use | Examples (prices incl. GST, checked Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Living room and bedroom walls | Washable interior emulsion | Nippon Odour-less EasyWash 5L S$105–116 (white); Dulux Wash & Wear 5L S$69.90; Raffles R.WASH 5L S$85 |
| Bathrooms, kitchens and ceilings with mould | Anti-mould range | Raffles R.ONE ANTIMOULD+ 5L S$110; Nippon anti-mould ceiling and wall paints |
| Exterior walls | Weather-resistant exterior emulsion | Nippon Weatherbond 5L S$114–117 (white), about 9 m² per litre per coat |
| Ceilings and budget repaints | Matt emulsion | Nippon Matex 7L S$58.85 (tinted) or 20L S$88 (white); mould-resistant but not sold as washable |
Compare more brands in our guide to the best paint in Singapore, or see Raffles vs Nippon.
Matt or satin?
A matt finish hides small dents and uneven patches best, which is why most HDB walls are matt. Satin and other low-sheen finishes are easier to wipe, so they suit kitchens, corridors and kids’ rooms. In damp rooms, choosing an anti-mould formula matters more than the sheen.
Prepare the wall first
- Fix the source of damp: leaking pipes, window seals or a bathroom above. Paint over a damp wall will bubble and peel again.
- Remove the mould: clean it off with a mould cleaner and let the wall dry fully. See how to get rid of mould on walls.
- Scrape and fill: remove loose or peeling paint and fill cracks.
- Seal: patched, chalky or newly plastered areas need a sealer before the topcoat (see what sealer paint is for; +$40 per room in our packages).
Painting on humid days
- Keep windows open or run a fan so each coat can dry.
- Wait at least the recoat time printed on the tin, and longer on very humid days. For Nippon Matex, Nippon gives about 2 hours at 30°C.
- Don’t paint exterior walls when rain is expected, or on walls that are still wet.
Keeping mould away after painting
- Ventilate bathrooms after showers with an exhaust fan or an open window.
- Wipe condensation off ceilings and window frames.
- Leave a small gap between wardrobes and outside walls so air can move.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best paint for a bathroom in Singapore?
An anti-mould range, applied after the mould is cleaned off, the leak is fixed and the wall is dry. Ventilation after showers matters as much as the paint.
Can I just paint over mould?
No. Paint over mould will show through and peel. Clean it, let the wall dry, then use an anti-mould paint. See our anti-mould painting service.
How much does an anti-mould ceiling cost with your packages?
An anti-mould ceiling upgrade costs +$40 per bedroom on top of our HDB package prices. See the full painting price list, or WhatsApp us photos of the problem area for a quote.
Need your home painted?
WhatsApp us your flat type and which rooms you want painted, and we'll send you a fixed quote.