Primer's definitely worth it, but agreed—it's just one step. Also, totally second the caulking thing:
"don't underestimate caulking quality"
Cheap caulk nearly ruined my shower corners. Learned my lesson quick... silicone all the way. Plus, grout sealer's another lifesaver nobody mentions much.
"grout sealer's another lifesaver nobody mentions much."
True, grout sealer's underrated. But have you tried those moisture-sensing bathroom fans? Installed one last year—game changer. No more foggy mirrors or surprise mold spots... wish I'd known sooner.
Grout sealer definitely deserves more credit—I learned that lesson the hard way after scrubbing moldy grout for hours. The moisture-sensing fan sounds great, but honestly, pairing it with some humidity-loving plants has been my secret weapon. Ferns or pothos absorb moisture naturally and add a chill vibe to the bathroom. Plus, it's kinda satisfying seeing them thrive from something that usually just causes headaches...
Totally agree about grout sealer—it's one of those things you don't appreciate until you're knee-deep in moldy grout, scrubbing away your weekend. Learned that lesson myself after renovating our guest bathroom last year. I went with epoxy grout in the end, which is pricier but pretty much bulletproof against moisture and mold. Worth every penny if you ask me.
The plant idea is interesting, though. I've heard pothos can handle humidity well, but my bathroom doesn't get much natural light. Wonder if they'd still thrive under artificial lighting? I've been using a small dehumidifier tucked away in the corner—doesn't look as cool as plants, but it pulls a surprising amount of moisture out of the air. Might try adding some greenery anyway, just to see how they do...
I've had pothos in my bathroom for about two years now, and it's been surprisingly resilient. My bathroom doesn't get much natural light either—just a small frosted window that barely lets anything through. I ended up installing one of those inexpensive LED grow bulbs in a regular lamp fixture, and the pothos seems perfectly happy with it. It's grown quite a bit, actually, trailing down the shelf and adding some nice greenery.
One thing to keep in mind though: pothos can handle humidity pretty well, but they're not exactly moisture absorbers like some people think. They won't replace your dehumidifier by any means. I learned this the hard way when I first moved into my place—I thought plants alone would solve my humidity issues. Nope...ended up with condensation on the walls and windows anyway. Eventually, I got a small dehumidifier similar to yours, and that combo has worked out nicely.
If you're looking for something that actively helps reduce moisture, you might want to look into peace lilies or Boston ferns. I've heard they absorb humidity better than pothos does, though they can be a bit fussier about lighting conditions. A friend of mine swears by her peace lily—she keeps it in her bathroom under artificial lighting too, and it's thriving.
Also, totally agree on epoxy grout being worth the extra cost. I redid our shower stall last summer after battling moldy grout for years (never again!), and epoxy grout was a game changer. It was definitely pricier upfront, but considering how much time I've saved not scrubbing mold every weekend...yeah, I'd say it paid for itself pretty quickly.
Anyway, give the pothos a shot if you're curious—they're pretty forgiving plants overall. Just don't expect miracles on the humidity front!
