Because I’m currently in the midst of my own painting project… today, I wanted to talk about paint sheen. You’ve narrowed down your perfect paint color and are ready to get started, but have no idea what finish to choose…. this post is for you! I put together an easy chart, recommendations, and a designer guide for choosing the right paint sheen or finish for any interior project. Click through and be sure to pin, save, or bookmark this one for future reference!
I just picked up our paint for the home gym and I’m itching to get started. If you missed that post, check out our current remodeling project here: Home Gym Renovation: Before Images & Demo. I’ll have another update for you later this week… one that hopefully includes painted walls. Let’s dive right into choosing the best paint finish for your project.
What is Paint Sheen?
Paint sheen measures how much light is reflected off a painted surface… in other words- how shiny a painted surface will appear. Paint sheen and paint finish are terms that can be used interchangeably. Different sheens range from flat to high-gloss, and you can adjust any interior paint color to the sheen of your choosing… each appropriate for different interior surfaces.
The sheen will also influence how a color looks once it has dried. Your project, room, or aesthetic will determine the best paint finish for your space… but don’t worry- I’m here to help, if this sounds overwhelming!
Designer Paint Sheen Guide
For the most part, there is a formula to choosing different finishes… most interior designers agree on the following (save this chart for later):
95% of the time, I’m following the design rules above for different types of paint finishes. I’m almost always painting millwork a different sheen than the walls, or different rooms have different finishes depending on the aesthetic I’m going for.
Like anything in design, rules are often meant to be broken- so don’t feel like this applies to all interior paint if you have a different vision for your project. This should give you a confident starting point though! Check out the FAQ (later in the post) for specific and situational examples. Let’s workshop each sheen below…
Flat Finish
A flat finish doesn’t reflect any light. It’s perfect for dark paint, rich color, is really forgiving, great at hiding imperfections, texture, and creates a visually uniform surface. I use flat paint on ceilings, walls, and textural surfaces I’d like to appear more even.
Matte Finish
Matte paint is one level above a flat finish. It absorbs more light than it reflects. Like flat, it’s an awesome option for hiding imperfections, smoothing textured walls, and is ideal for rich colored, pigmented interior walls. I often use matte in bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and halls. It’s usually my go-to for wall paint.
Eggshell Finish
Eggshell finishes are a great option if you’re painting yourself or are tackling a DIY project. It’s very forgiving, easy to apply, and has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat, but with a slightly higher reflective value. It’s a great option for neutral paint hues, has a soft glow, and is often used for interior walls in any space. Eggshell paint is probably the most popular finish because people view it as a safe choice. Oddly (as an interior designer), I hardly ever choose an eggshell finish.
Satin Finish
Next on the finish chart, we have satin paint. It’s shinier than eggshell, has a pearl-like finish, and a soft glowy sheen. It has mid-range reflective values and is another common choice for both walls and millwork, alike. Satin finish paint is often a sheen I choose for cabinetry or paneling, as the result is a smooth finish that softly captures the light.
Semi-Gloss Finish
Semi-gloss has a noticeably shiny finish… almost luminous. It’s a good choice for millwork and the sheen I’m most often using for mouldings, doors, and trim. It’s ideal for highlighting architectural profiles you’d like to capture the light or emphasize.
High-Gloss Finish
The final (and most glossy) sheen is high-gloss paint. It’s a tricky finish to perfect if you’re a DIY novice, as it will highlight any surface imperfection. Glossy paint is highly reflective, but very impactful. It offers a mirror-like finish that makes a stunning design statement. It’s amazing for trim, cabinetry, furniture, and millwork, but if you’re planning to use it on your walls, make sure you have a super smooth finish or prepped area prior to painting. Check out this post on how to get perfectly smooth walls: a skim coating tutorial. I do love a tone-on-tone glossy vignette… especially when color drenching. It’s also a fun application for an unexpected ceiling.
Other Glossy Products to Consider
If you are going for that supper glossy, mirrored finish… you might also want to consider an enamel or lacquer. Depending on the durability your project requires, we often use pre-catalyzed lacquer for cabinetry, doors, or furniture. Lacquers also have different sheens available.
Choosing the Right Paint for Durability
Many people believe that sheen influences durability, with flat being the least durable and eggshell or satin paint being more durable… however- that is becoming an outdated concept according to industry professionals.
Whether you’re looking for a stain resistant, easy-to-clean paint, or something that will withstand the test of time in high-traffic areas… these days, it’s more about the quality of the paint, as opposed to the finish or sheen. Paint technology has come such a long way and the formula is what creates a durable paint. Purchasing a cheap paint in a “durable finish” will not hold up as well as a high-quality paint in a matte finish that is engineered for cleanability and longevity. Just remember- not all paints are created equal!
FAQ
We use quite a few! Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Farrow & Ball, Clare, Behr, etc. It depends on the paint project we’re tackling and boils down to personal preference. Ben Moore and Sherwin-Williams are the easiest for us to grab locally, so we primarily use those two brands. However, I think Farrow & Ball has the best classic colors.
I typically use a flat sheen… Sherwin-Williams Ceiling Bright White is a great choice, as it’s a brighter white that was formulated specifically for ceiling surfaces. High-gloss ceilings are also really fun, but they require a LOT of prep and most often… a professional painter. I always recommend testing paint samples.
Of course! While those suggestions will give you a timeless look, feel free to use it as a guide and get creative. Experiment with different paint finishes and swatch some options that feel best for your space. Sometimes I’ll switch it up if I’m matching wallpaper, color drenching, or simply want to do something outside the norm. Wall paint has such transformative power!
Great question… no! While I generally keep things looking cohesive, certain spaces require different finishes. For example, our basement media room has a different light reflective value than my home office that is flooded with natural light. The basement also has a slight texture, while my office is a level 5 super smooth finish. Choose the right paint color & finish for your room, rather than making sure your entire house matches perfectly.
Since you’re going for a tone-on-tone aesthetic, finish is very important to add depth to your color drenched room. To achieve the perfect finish… this requires at least two different sheens. I’d use flat or matte on the walls, semi-gloss or gloss on the trim and millwork, and perhaps a third finish to capture the light elsewhere (maybe within the furniture?). Perhaps a high-gloss ceiling? This adds necessary dimension to monochromatic spaces.
I usually push sheen in one direction or the other to achieve better depth and differentiation between surfaces (like the wall versus the baseboard). I’m typically choosing flat or matte for my walls and semi-gloss or gloss for my millwork. I normally grab satin for cabinetry. I usually avoid the safe sheens that fall in the middle of the chart because they don’t provide as much contrast… and I like a little drama.
Related
Looking for more paint related posts? It’s one of my favorite topics, and one I’m frequently asked about. I’ll link some really helpful ones for you below…
- 24 of My Favorite Neutral (Non-White) Paint Colors
- How Paint Color Percentages Work and When to Use Them
- My Top Paint Color Picks for Dark Kitchen Cabinets
- Favorite Benjamin Moore Paint Swatches
- 10 Painting Tips for Cutting In
- Tips for a Durable, Professional Looking Spray Paint Finish
- Color Matching Our Kitchen Cabinets (+ Painting Tips)
- Designer Trick: Choosing the Perfect Paint Color
- How to Paint a Door
- Design Discussion: Accent Walls + Alternative Ideas
I hope this post was helpful if you’re in the midst of selecting the right type of paint! Feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below. I’m always happy to help! Was any of this new information in regard to choosing the right paint finish? I hope you feel better equipped to head to your local paint store and grab the best option for your project.
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