How to choose a paint sheen: where each sheen ranks on the durability scale and placement suggestions.
When choosing your paint sheens there is a basic rule of thumb: The higher the sheen, the higher the shine. Therefore, the higher the shine, the more durable the paint will be.
Flat (matte) has no shine, in contrast high-gloss has all the shine. In the middle of those are eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, each with its own purpose decoratively speaking and practicality reasons.
Let’s dive into what sheen your project requires.
Flat a.k.a. Matte
Flat paint is where walls hide all their “dirty little secrets”. If your walls have imperfections to be hidden flat is the route for you. Flat/matte absorbs light, rather than reflects it. It has the most pigment and provides the most coverage, in turn saving time and money. On the opposite end of the stick, it’s difficult to clean without removing paint with the crud.
- Practical application: Adults’ bedrooms and other interior rooms that won’t be exposed to children
- Durability: Medium-low
Eggshell
Set between satin and flat on the sheen (and longevity) scale is eggshell. Named for having the same finish as the shell of a chicken’s egg. It’s essentially a flat finish. Eggshell hides wall imperfections well and is a suggested finish for gathering areas that don’t receive a lot of bumps or scuffs.
- Practical application: dining rooms, living rooms
- Durability: medium
Satin
Provides a desirable luster that, despite it’s name, is more often described as velvety. It’s simple to clean, making it perfect for high-traffic spaces. It’s largest flaw is it reveals application flaws, for example roller or brush strokes. Touch-ups afterwards can be tricky.
- Practical application: family rooms, foyers, hallways, kids’ bedrooms
- Durability: high
Semi-gloss
Good for rooms where drips, condensation, and grease stains challenge walls. Also great for trim work that can take quite a beating amidst everyday life.
- Practical application: kitches, bathrooms, trim, chair rails
- Durability: high
High Gloss
The juggernaut of durability and subsequently the easiest to clean of all the paint sheens in the land, high-gloss paint is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. Think appliance-paint tough.
High gloss is a good choice for area that sticky fingers touch. For instance trim, cabinets, and doors. High-gloss, however, is too much shine for interior walls. Do not slack on prep work because every bump and roll will be visible.
- Practical application: kitchen, door, and window trim
- Durability: very high
Lastly, tips for picking the correct sheen
If you’re using a dark and rich paint color but you want to avoid a super shiny effect, come down at least one level on the sheen scale. That’s because the darker and richer the paint color is, the more colorant it has, which boosts sheen. Same goes for if you’re painting a large, sun-bleached, or flawed wall. The higher the sheen, the more defects will be visible to the eye.
Choosing the right paint sheen is essential to achieving the desired aesthetic and functionality in your space. Consider the lighting, surface condition, functionality, and personal style preferences to make an informed decision. Remember to test and sample different sheens before committing to the entire project. By selecting the perfect paint sheen, you can enhance the beauty of your walls, highlight architectural features, and ensure the longevity and durability of your paint job.