How to Choose a Sheen For Your Interior Painting Project

Choosing the right paint is a rewarding way to revitalize your home and make it a reflection of your personal taste. By finding just the right color and paint finish for each room, you can make your spaces feel intentional, comfortable, and beautiful. To prepare yourself for painting, learn more about the benefits of different finishes. Here’s what you need to know.

Flat & Matte

Flat finishes have the least reflective sheen and provide a smooth, uniform look. They’re popular for their ability to hide blemishes and imperfections while still complementing well-lit areas. They’re easy to touch up, but they’re the easiest to damage. For this reason, they’re best suited for rooms with less traffic.

Eggshell & Satin

These popular interior painting finishes are slightly more lustrous than matte options. This means eggshell or satin finishes are not only more reflective, but they’re also more resilient than flat finishes. They stand up better to staining and can usually be easily cleaned with a damp cloth and soap. These finishes are ideal for areas that see a lot of traffic, like kids’ rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. They also help spread light evenly around the room.

Semigloss & High-Gloss

For a long-lasting coat that accentuates a room’s features and softly reflects light throughout, semi-gloss finishes are perfect. These are the shiniest finishes available, and while they can bring out the best in a space, they may also reveal imperfections more clearly. These finishes are best reserved for trim, cabinets, doors, and areas that tend to see the most activity. Work with a professional interior painter to ensure they’re applied flawlessly.