Want stylish black tiles? Simply paint old tiles!

Painting tiles black - is that even possible?

Can you really just paint tiles and clean painted tiles? Will it last? These are questions that are often asked when it comes to painting tiles in the bathroom, kitchen or on the floor. Yes, it really does work - and very well with the Eggshell Varnish tile paint from MissPompadour, which, unlike conventional tile paints, is environmentally friendly and low-odour.

If you want to give your bathroom a contemporary look, you don't have to chip off the tiles or remove the (often tiled) bathtub. Simply get a paint in the colour shade of your choice and paint the tiles in a new colour. There are a few exceptions: waxed or otherwise impregnated tiles cannot usually be painted, nor can tiles with a lotus effect.

However, silicone joints are not a problem: Paint over them with MissPompadour To Seal Silicone. Then you can easily paint them black with Black with Black varnish, bearing in mind that when you paint the joints, they will also be painted tone-on-tone with the tiles. This is entirely desirable and creates a pleasantly calm look. However, if you want a contrast between the tiles and joints, you can of course finish off the joints in a contrasting colour with joint paint.

To bring a whole new style to your bathroom or kitchen with a black look, there are a few things to consider: Firstly, the tiles must be perfectly cleaned. Dust, limescale and grease residue must be removed. It is best to use the mild but effective MissPompadour To Clean. Never use aggressive, chlorinated or highly alkaline cleaning agents. They could settle in the rough tile joints of the wall tiles or floor tiles and destroy your coat of paint.

As tiles usually have a smooth surface, you need to prime them with a primer such as MissPompadour To Bond & Block. The primer creates an even surface and guarantees a secure hold for your black paint colour.

If you are painting tiles on the floor, it is advisable to stabilise the paint with To Seal. After all, a floor is subject to real wear and tear and must be able to withstand frequent cleaning. If you keep all this in mind, you'll get a bathroom or kitchen that's right on trend without the high costs and, above all, without the remodelling stress of stone dust and other dirt.

You can paint over tiles with these varnishes

The perfect varnish quality for painting tiles is the MissPompadour Eggshell Varnish. This high-quality varnish gives you a silky matt, elegant surface that is extremely hard-wearing, easy to clean and doesn't mind water as long as it can run off the painted surface. Eggshell Varnish is suitable for both floor and wall tiles.

Which rooms are suitable for black tiles?

In principle, you can use black varnish in all rooms that are tiled. Naturally, the wall tiles in the bathroom are suitable, but a tiled splashback in the kitchen can also look very attractive in black. If you have a utility room, why not paint the tiled wall where the washing machine and tumble dryer are located all in black?

Modern classic: bathroom with black tiles

If you want to give your utility room a completely new look, paint the bathroom tiles in black. You don't have to cover all the walls right up to the ceiling in black. How about painting them black up to a height of approx. 130 cm and then finishing them off with an attractive natural wood edge? Then apply a fresh shade of white such as MissPompadour White with Character to the rest of the wall and the ceiling. If you also want to paint the wall tiles in the shower, you should definitely apply an additional coat of To Seal as a finish in this area.

However, black can also be combined with many other colours. For example, you can transform your bathroom into a nostalgic 50s oasis of well-being with a delicate rose colour such as Rose with Warmth in combination with Black with Black.

Guest WC in black: tone-on-tone tiles & walls

Want to bring black tiles into your home? Then it doesn't have to be an entire bathroom. Why not start by trying out black tiles in a small room such as a guest WC, where you won't be spending hours on end. In a small room like this, you can be really bold and paint all the walls, whether tiled or plastered, and even the ceiling in a black colour shade. How good that the black paint colours from MissPompadour are also available as black wall paints!

Maybe you don't just paint the wall tiles black, but also the floor tiles. You can also use a near-black colour such as Green with Black. Elements such as a small wooden washbasin, toilet seat and lid in natural wood go well with this. But you can also conjure up a really interesting ambience with golden accents such as a few golden picture frames.

Extravagant contrasts with black tiles in the kitchen

Black tiles are not only recommended for washrooms. A black tiled surface on the wall can also conjure up a whole new atmosphere in the kitchen. If your wall tiles have textures, simply paint over them. The floor tiles in the kitchen can also be given a new look with black-black varnish. In the kitchen, you should definitely stabilise the surface of the floor and wall tiles with MissPompadour To Seal.

Paint floor tiles with black-black varnish

The surface of floor tiles can be painted black, just like the surface of wall tiles. It is also a classic to apply a pattern to the floor tiles. You could use MissPompadour Blue with Black together with a light blue such as Blue with Cloud, for example, by applying a MissPompadour Stencil to every other floor tile.

Please note that floor tiles should always be additionally protected with To Seal so that they can withstand frequent cleaning and the heavy wear and tear of daily 'foot traffic'.

Your new black tile colour from MissPompadour

As with all colour shades, not all black is the same. MissPompadour offers a deep black tone called Black with Black. Black with Velvet is a little lighter thanks to some grey pigment and, depending on the lighting, has a very subtle purple shimmer. The dark Nearly Black from Blue with Black tends towards blue. The deep dark Brown with Black has a very warm effect. Individually, all these colour shades would be considered black. However, the addition of different colour pigments gives each colour shade its very special effect and allows it to be perfectly combined with other colours in the room.

Order black tile paint from MissPompadour

The best way to order the right colour shade for your black tile paint is to order a set of colour cards. The colour-cards are individually removable and can be attached to the surfaces to be painted so that you can examine them in any light.

You can find step-by-step instructions in our blog on painting tiles and we have put together all the products you need in our wall tile painting project kit. You can customise this shopping guide. So you're guaranteed not to forget a single detail! If you have any further questions, please contact our customer service team. Our expert team will be happy to help you with any questions!

Frequently asked questions & answers

• Can I attach suction cups to the painted tiles?
  This usually works well after a drying time of 2 weeks. However, if the surface is too rough, they may not hold. It's best to test it in one place!
• Can you paint tiles in a rented flat black yourself?
  This must be agreed with the landlord beforehand. Get the agreement in writing! Once the tiles have been painted and the varnish has dried, it won't come off. After all, it shouldn't. The most you can do to change the colour is to paint over it.
• Do I have to repaint the black tiles at some point?
  It is possible that signs of wear will appear over time. If there are scratches or small chips, you can repair them very easily. Sand the areas a little with the sanding pad and simply paint over them again with your varnish or chalk paint. Painted tiles can be a good solution for a few years. And if you no longer like the colour, simply paint over it with another of our fantastic colour shades.
• Do I need to prime before painting tiles?
  Yes, smooth surfaces must be primed with MissPompadour To Bond & Block so that the varnish adheres well.
• Should I seal my bathroom tiles?
  The wall tiles in the bathroom do not need to be sealed, but the floor tiles do.
• Can I paint my balcony and patio tiles?
  The varnish can withstand water, but not standing water. It is therefore not suitable for outdoor floor tiles.
• How long do I have to let the varnish dry after varnishing the floor tiles?
  The varnish should be allowed to dry for approx. 2 weeks until it is completely stable. The floor can be walked on carefully before this.