The Essential Guide for Choosing the Best Paint Sheen
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Do know what it means when we refer to paint sheen? The sheen is the measure of light that is reflected by the surface of the paint, so it’s the amount of glossiness the type has.
The two extremes of sheen are high-gloss (as you might use on woodwork) and matte (often used for walls).
But there are a number of other choices between these two that might also be the best paint finish for your project.
In this post we’ll explain the different paint sheens and help you choose the most effective type for the effect you want.
We’re also offering a free printable guide that you can take with you to the paint store. See it at the bottom of the post.
Paint Sheen Guide
Just like picking a paint color, choosing the best paint finish can be the difference between your decorating project looking professionally polished—or a DIY disaster. Our guide to the different types of paint finishes will help you know the right sheen to use.
Matte
You will also see matte referred to as ‘flat’. This is a very low-luster surface that absorbs light, which means that it reflects the least amount of shine.
When it’s dry, it’s dull-looking or chalky, so the effect can be quite velvety and rich.
Normally, matte paint is used on interior walls and ceilings. In fact, it’s the most popular choice for walls—partly because it’s the best at disguising any imperfections in the surface smoothness of the wall, and partly because it suits both modern and period decor.
Eggshell
The designer’s favorite paint sheen is eggshell. This type gets its name from the way an egg has a quite matte finish but with a slight hint of glossiness.
Eggshell is popular because it reflects a little light to brighten a room while also being durable and resistant to picking up dirt.
Because it’s tough enough to withstand the normal scuffs and bumps of day-to-day life, eggshell is a very common choice of sheen for decorating living rooms and dining rooms where people spend a lot of time.
Satin
Paint with a satin finish absorbs a little less light again than eggshell. That means it throws more light back into the room. The satin paint sheen falls in the middle of the scale, half-matte and half-gloss.
Satin will not show reflections in low light the way that shinier finishes will, but it will accentuate any irregularities in the surface of a wall, like depressions, cracks or bad patch jobs.
Because it’s tough and hard-wearing, a satin sheen is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where it’s likely to be cleaned or scrubbed regularly.
Semi-Gloss
When you need a paint sheen that will stand up to high traffic, then semi-gloss is a great option.
It can be used on walls in busy areas, like utility rooms, and it will give a bright, shiny appearance. Its satin glossiness is less reflective than a high-gloss surface, but it’s still durable, so it’s also well suited for use on doors, trims and woodwork.
Semi-gloss paint finishes also have excellent moisture resistance. For that reason, this is a good choice for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms or anywhere there is high humidity.
Gloss/Hi-Gloss
The toughest—and the shiniest—of all paint sheens is high-gloss.
This is the lustrous coating that most decorators agree is the best paint finish for doors, woodwork, cabinets and trim. Gloss paint will create reflections on its surface, so it’s not generally suitable for walls and ceilings.
Gloss is also the most durable paint sheen. Because it’s the easiest to clean, it’s the sheen of choice for areas where dirt or oil can be a problem, like kitchens or garages.
In the past, high-gloss emulsions were oil-based, so they gave off a strong, lingering odor as they dried. These days, they’re water-based, making them much more practical and easier to apply.
How to Choose a Paint Finish
We discussed above the classic ways each of the main five paint sheens are used, but you don’t have to be bound by convention. Rules were made to be broken, and that goes for the choices you make when choosing your decor too.
Best Paint Sheen for Walls and Ceilings
Period Homes
A flat paint is the go-to choice for the walls and ceilings of older properties.
Modern chalk-based colors offer a luxurious matte appearance that will disguise any small blemishes on the surface. But matte finishes are less durable than their glossier counterparts, and you might want to even make a feature of less-than-impeccable walls.
If you’re concerned about wear and tear—or if you choose to show off the character built into your period walls—then eggshell makes a nice compromise.
Modern Homes
When you’re decorating a more modern room, you have a wide choice of options for your walls and ceilings.
Matte paints will give you a timeless elegance, but you can even go for a satin sheen to add a little extra light to your room.
Best Paint Sheen for Kitchens and Bathrooms
As discussed above, semi-gloss or high-gloss paints are normally recommended for areas that are prone to moisture or need regular cleaning.
They generally have a good resistance to damp and mildew, and they’re easy to keep clean.
But modern technology means that if you have your heart set on a low-sheen finish in these high-moisture areas, then all is not lost.
Look for specially formulated paints that are designed to resist damp and mildew. Keep in mind that you might need an extra primer for the full benefit.
Best Paint Sheen for Doors, Frames and Trim
There’s no getting around it, gloss and semi-gloss paints are popular for doors, trims and woodwork for a reason—they are the toughest finishes, made to withstand high traffic and heavy cleaning.
Satin sheen is the ideal compromise if you don’t want the high-shine effect. It offers an elegant, yet strong, solution to maintain your sumptuous matte decor.
It reflects only a little light, while still being able to withstand regular cleaning.
If you really have your heart set on flat matte or eggshell for your doors and frames, then you simply need to keep some spare paint and a brush handy for regular touchups.
Paint Sheen and Color
When you’re choosing the right paint sheen for your needs, keep in mind that colors are affected by the sheen too.
Because more color is reflected by glossier types, the very same color will look brighter in a glossy paint than in matte.
The inverse is also true: the more pigment a color contains, the greater the sheen effect.
So, if you’re using a rich, dark shade but you don’t want a shiny effect, be sure to drop your sheen level by one.
My favorite paint sheen
The paint sheen I tend to use in my homes is satin. I like the smooth finish with just a hint of shine.
I’ve used it on my walls, trim and doors with great success. Lately though, I’ve been testing matte paint sheens in our new house.
Right now we live in a 60’s era home with a lot of imperfect walls and the matte sheen has performed wonderfully to help tone down the bumps and cracks that we’ve tried to fix.
Plus it really rolls on the walls beautifully. I’ll let you know how it holds up.
Get your free Paint Sheen Info Chart
Download and print our free Paint Sheen Chart to help when picking out your next paint color.
