Microcement in the bathroom: 5 ideas to renovate walls without building work
You wake up, drag your feet to the bathroom and reality hits: old walls, darkened grout lines and tiles that stopped being white a long time ago. Not the best place to start or end your day.
First time with this material? Start with the complete guide to microcement and come back for ideas.
But it can be fixed. You’ve probably seen modern bathrooms—seamless, clean and elegant: their secret is microcement walls. And it can be applied without building work, with microcement for bathrooms in kits by zone and size.
If you’ve made it this far looking for answers, you’re in the right place. The simplest formula is ready-to-use microcement.
Here you’ll find ideas to incorporate it into this room, why this material is changing the way we renovate, which finishes and colours exist, where to apply it and how to apply microcement on bathroom walls step by step.
Why choose microcement walls for the bathroom?
The popularity of microcement walls in bathrooms has grown thanks to their performance compared to other materials and the range of colours and finishes available. These are the concrete advantages of coating a bathroom wall with microcement.
Microcement kits for bathrooms
Everything included and free shipping. Choose the zone you’re going to renovate.
Until 31 October, six of the twenty colours (Coral, Wasabi, Salmon, Blush, Moss and Khaki) are 30% off across the eight kits: you will find them together in microcement kits on offer.
1. Water-resistant
Bathroom walls are exposed to steam and direct water. Microcement stands out for its high resistance to water and ambient humidity, which makes it a suitable option for this room.
Which part of that resistance comes from the microcement and which from the varnish is explained in is microcement waterproof?.
2. Walls that withstand daily use
Microcement resists wear, friction, scratches and impacts, offering high durability. In addition, it is easy to maintain and combines aesthetics with functionality.
3. Renovate walls without building work
You can apply microcement directly onto the wall without building work, dust or debris. Its adhesion allows it to be applied over tiles, marble, ceramics, stoneware, terrazzo, plasterboard, concrete or plaster.
4. Easy maintenance
As it has no joints, it prevents the build-up of dirt and bacteria, making cleaning easier: a cloth and pH-neutral detergent are enough. For deeper cleaning, it’s recommended to use a specific product such as Smart Cleaner.
5. Variety of colours and textures
Microcement comes in a wide range of colours and textures, so the choice isn’t limited to white.
If you’re looking for aesthetic harmony, the range of greys, sands and beiges works well in almost any bathroom. If you prefer to give the space character, there are livelier tones, like coral pink, and the whole range of greens and blues.
That is why microcement has become one of the most widely used decorative coatings in the bathroom.
A professional applicator won’t usually take on anything smaller than a complete bathroom, around 24 m² (258 sq ft). If you only want to renovate the shower, one wall or the floor, that route isn’t available. And if it is the whole bathroom: in the US, a professional applicator charges around $315–420 per m² (roughly $29–39 per sq ft), labour included, which comes to $7,560–10,080; with the kit for those same 24 m², the material comes to $38–62 per m² depending on the substrate, in any of the twenty colours.
With a kit you choose the square metres you need, with the material at $38–62 per m². Everything included, over the tiles and without chipping anything off.
The kit brings them all, with the 40, 220 and 400 grit sanding discs and the instructions; the tools (trowel, roller and tray) are sold separately, in the Smart Tools kit.
Microcement kits for walls, floors, shower, sink and countertop. Or see all the microcement kits for bathrooms.
5 ideas for microcement bathroom walls
These are five different ways to apply microcement on bathroom walls, depending on what you want to achieve.
A microcement wall to highlight the sink area
When you want the sink to be the star of the bathroom, an accent wall does that job well. It enhances the area without a large investment and, combined with sconces and a large mirror, the result is remarkable.
Microcement walls in the shower
The shower is one of the most used elements in a bathroom. Cladding it with microcement brings continuity and visual cleanliness thanks to its seamless finish. Its resistance to water and humidity makes it suitable for renovating the shower without building work. Built-in taps and a fixed frameless glass screen help keep the area from looking visually cut off.
Microcement walls in a small bathroom to gain a sense of space
Its seamless finish eliminates tile grout lines and visually enlarges the space, something especially useful in small bathrooms. If you also choose soft tones, the effect is enhanced. We explain how to renovate a small bathroom with 15 ideas, measurements and prices in our guide.
Microcement wall to divide spaces
If you have to share the room, dividing the spaces with a microcement wall is a good option, because it doesn’t resort to any element that visually restricts the space. It lets you separate the functions of the bathroom to gain privacy or keep the messier areas out of sight. Simply coat the wall you want to highlight, which will reflect natural light and draw attention.
Folding screens complement this solution well: they can be used when privacy is needed and tucked away when you want a sense of space.
Microcement walls in soft tones
Covering all the walls with a neutral colour allows for a noticeable transformation of the bathroom. A neutral base gives you the freedom to change décor and textiles without losing the harmony of the whole.
Which bathroom walls can I apply microcement on
Microcement can be applied to any bathroom wall depending on the effect you want to achieve, including those exposed to direct contact with water. Once sealed, it resists water and humidity, making it a suitable coating for these rooms.
If you’re still comparing materials, there’s the guide to bathroom wall coverings with and without building work.
Choosing the right walls to apply it on makes the difference between an acceptable result and a truly attractive design.
Shower walls: continuity and a sense of space
Cladding shower walls with microcement creates a seamless, joint-free surface that conveys cleanliness and spaciousness. It is widely used in modern bathrooms for its minimalist look and easy maintenance.
Sink area walls: a focal point in the bathroom
Applying this material on the sink wall is one of the most popular options. This area becomes the main feature of the room, making it possible to play with colours, textures and even create contrast with the furniture.
All the bathroom walls: a continuous and enveloping finish
Covering all the walls creates an enveloping effect. It’s the right option if you’re looking for a uniform, uninterrupted finish with a contemporary style.
Walls with mirrors: space and visual effect
Microcement and mirrors go well together. Applied in an area with a mirror, the material enhances the light and, with it, the feeling of space. It works especially well in small bathrooms.
Tip: when deciding where to apply microcement on bathroom walls, consider not only how each area is used but also the visual effect you want to achieve, as every choice influences the final result.
Why transform tiled walls into microcement walls?
Tiles have been the usual bathroom covering for decades, but grout lines are their weak point: they accumulate dirt, darken over time and, if moisture seeps in, mould appears. Cleaning them is a recurring job and the results don’t last long.
Microcement eliminates that problem at the root. It is applied over the tiles, with Smart Jointer and Smart Primer PLUS, and covers them completely, creating a smooth, seamless surface with a thickness of just 2-3 millimetres that doesn’t take space away from the bathroom. The result is a bathroom that is easier to maintain, without removing the tiles.
It’s also a matter of style: with no visual interruptions or mismatched materials, the uniform finish gives the bathroom a more spacious and harmonious look. And it can be done yourself, without dust, without debris and without weeks of waiting.
Microcement colours for bathroom walls: trends and ideas
If you’re looking for calm and a sense of space, neutral tones are the safest option: whites, sands and soft greys, bright and easy to combine. If you prefer to make a statement, blues add a sophisticated touch, greens freshness, and a coral pink gives the whole character.
There are no forbidden colours. When choosing the colour, it’s worth considering natural light, the size of the space and the rest of the decorative elements, in order to achieve a harmonious and long-lasting result. You’ll find the twenty kit colours, with examples by room, in the guide to microcement colours.
How to apply microcement on bathroom walls step by step
Renovating bathroom walls with microcement isn’t particularly difficult, but it requires following the order and respecting the drying times. These are the six steps.
Before you start, go over the mistakes when plastering bathroom walls with microcement.
1. Clean and prepare the bathroom walls
If the surface is dirty, the result suffers. Remove dust, grease and any dirt, and use masking tape to protect the areas where you won’t be applying microcement.
2. Fill the joints and smooth, if there are any
If you have tiles, you have joints. Fill them with filler. For the ready-to-use system, use Smart Jointer to cover them well, let it dry for 24 hours and sand with 40-grit.
3. Primer
Prepare the surface so the microcement adheres. Choose the right primer depending on the substrate: non-absorbent for tiles, mosaic or ceramics; absorbent for plaster or plasterboard. With the ready-to-use system, that means Smart Primer PLUS or Smart Primer ABS. Let it dry for 30 minutes.
4. Apply the microcement base
Mix the components according to the manufacturer’s instructions, including the pigment. With the ready-to-use system: stir Smart Base and apply thin coats, smoothing and letting each one dry. Sand between coats once dry.
5. Apply the finish
As in the previous step, pigment the microcement as indicated by the manufacturer. With the ready-to-use system: apply thin coats of Smart Liso, smooth carefully, let dry and sand.
6. Seal with varnish
Once dry, seal and protect the surface with a microcement sealer. In the case of Smartcret’s ready-to-use microcement, you should add Smart Booster to Smart Varnish and apply three coats, allowing drying time between each application. After seven days, it will have reached its maximum resistance.
No rubble, no dust and no weeks of building work. If you want to apply microcement on walls in other rooms, you have it in our guide for vertical surfaces.
How long does it take to renovate bathroom walls with microcement?
The realistic plan is about 3 days of work: between coats of microcement there are drying times of 4 to 8 hours, and the varnish needs 4 to 6 hours between coats, plus the final drying before normal use of the bathroom. Considerably less than building work and with no rubble. If you want to see how to organise it, we explain how to renovate the bathroom without building work in a weekend.
How much does it cost to apply microcement on bathroom walls
The cost depends on several factors: the size of the surface, the type of material, the condition of the substrate and whether you hire a professional.
As a guideline: in the US, a professional applicator charges around $315–420 per m² (roughly $29–39 per sq ft), labour included, with special care at corners and junctions when the project is complex. A professional applicator won’t usually take on anything smaller than a complete bathroom, around 24 m², which puts a professional renovation at $7,560–10,080.
The more affordable alternative is ready-to-use microcement, which lets you carry out the project without labour costs and with a fixed price you know before you start. At Smartcret, with the microcement kits for bathrooms the material comes to $38–62 per m², depending on the square metres and the substrate; the colour doesn’t change the price.
If you want to learn more about the factors that influence the price, you can check our complete microcement price guide.
The complete bathroom: floor, shower, sink and tiles
The walls are the most visible part, but the same system covers the rest of the bathroom, and it’s worth deciding it all together so the colour and finish are the same on every surface:
- Floor. It comes with its own kit, with Smart Medio as the finish, formulated for foot traffic: it’s explained in microcement on the bathroom floor, and the microcement kit for floors and stairs is chosen by the square metres of your floor.
- Shower. It is coated over the tray and the tiling; allow ten days without using it (three of work and seven of curing). All the details in microcement shower.
- Sink and countertop. They are included in the bathroom kit, in the same colour as the walls: the step by step is in microcement sink.
- Tiles. They aren’t removed: the joints are filled and primed. You have the guide in microcement over tiles and, if you’re torn between painting or covering them, the comparison in renovating the bathroom without removing the tiles.
- Bathtub. The inside of the bathtub is a job for a professional applicator; with the kit you coat what’s around it. We explain it in microcement bathtub.
For walls, shower, sink and countertop, a single microcement kit for bathrooms is enough: you choose the square metres, the colour from twenty and the substrate (tiles or plasterboard/cement), and the price is fixed.
Before and after renovating bathroom walls with microcement
These are three real projects by customers who applied the microcement themselves.
Renovation carried out by @bauernhaustraum
Emma coated her bathroom walls in Bone and went from an outdated bathroom to a modern one.
Before and after the bathroom walls of @ellefurniture
Elle transformed her bathroom by covering old tiles with microcement in Wasabi.
Transformation by @jade.doutch
Jade completely renovated her bathroom by applying microcement in Spike.
Frequently asked questions about microcement in the bathroom
Is microcement recommended for a bathroom?
Yes. It’s its natural habitat: no grout lines for mould to grow in, water-resistant once sealed and applicable over the existing tiles without building work. The key is sealing it well, with varnish and reinforcement in the shower area.
How much does a microcement bathroom cost?
A professional applicator won’t usually go below a complete bathroom, around 24 m²: in the US, a professional applicator charges around $315–420 per m² (roughly $29–39 per sq ft), labour included, which comes to $7,560–10,080. With the kit for those same 24 m², the material comes to $38–62 per m² depending on the substrate, in any of the twenty colours. And if you only want to renovate one zone—the shower, one wall, the floor—there are kits from 4 m². You have the full breakdown in the guide to the price of microcement.
How long does microcement last in the bathroom?
Many years in good condition: cleaning with neutral soap and renewing the varnish every 2 years in wet areas. No grout lines that darken and no grout to redo.
What are the disadvantages of microcement?
It requires respecting the drying times between coats and a sound substrate, because cracks in the base end up showing through. We don’t recommend it on kitchen countertops or over underfloor heating. In the bathroom, properly applied, it performs without problems.
The ten most common drawbacks, and how they are solved in a bathroom, are in drawbacks of microcement and solutions.
Reviewed by the Smartcret technical team.
What you need to do it yourself
The microcement kit for the bathroom brings the primer your surface needs, the microcement pigmented in the colour you choose, the varnish with its hardener and the sanding discs. You choose the square metres and the surface and everything arrives calculated; the tools are sold separately, in the Smart Tools kit.
Not sure about the square metres? Measure each surface and add them up: on the product page we tell you which kit you need.
