How to Choose the Right Paint Finish (aka Sheen Level) for Your Home
After much deliberation you finally get your paint colours chosen. You head to the paint store, excited to finally start your project. You wait your turn at the order counter, confidently name your colours…. then you get asked about the sheen for your paint and your mind goes blank.
Ok- I’m being a bit dramatic (the people at the paint counter are happy to help), but I had more than my share of these clueless moments when I started painting my first apartment. Selecting paint sheen or finish is often forgotten about in the excitement of selecting a colour, but it can have a big impact on the look and functionality of your finished space. In this post I’ll share the ins and outs of choosing a paint finish or sheen so that you can feel confident about your choices before heading to the paint store.
A few important things to know:
Sheen affects the durability and wipeability of your paint. The higher the sheen, the easier it is to wash away scuffs and stains.
Sheen can highlight or disguise imperfections. The lower the sheen, the less apparent bumps, paint drips, and uneven surfaces will be.
Higher sheen paint colours reflect more light and appear light. As a result, the same paint colour will vary with different sheens.
Image Source: Benjamin Moore
Here’s a quick summary if you’re in the paint store parking lot and need the details now, but be sure to come back and read the rest of this post for lots of important information!
> Best paint finish for ceilings: Flat or Matte
> Best paint finish for walls: Eggshell
> Best paint finish for trim, mouldings and doors: Satin or Pearl
> Best paint finish for cabinetry: Satin or Pearl
Flat or Matte Finish (0-10% Sheen)
Colours in a matte finish will appear darker than the same colour in an eggshell or glossy finish; will also have a less saturated or more chalky finish.
Creates a uniform finish, hides flaws and uneven surfaces.
Prone to scuffs and doesn’t wipe or wash easily.
Primarily used on ceilings to hide imperfections. If you have a textured ceiling (like the dreaded popcorn ceiling), this finish will be best for minimizing the look of this texture.
Try this finish on your walls in low-traffic areas for a rich, velvety look.
Image Source: Farrow & Ball
Eggshell Finish (12-20% Sheen)
Looks matte head-on, but has a subtle shine when viewed from an angle.
Easy to wipe and clean, less resistant to scuffs than a flat finish.
Because of its low lustre, still does a great job at hiding imperfections and making walls appear smooth.
Best overall finish for walls in most rooms.
Pearl or Satin Finish (15-35% Sheen)
Smooth with a hint of lustre.
More durable and washable than lower sheen finishes
My personal favourite finish for trim, mouldings, cabinetry and doors; contrasts nicely with flat/matte or eggshell walls.
Consider for walls in high-traffic areas such as hallways, family rooms, and kids’s rooms.
This level of sheen begins to show imperfections including brush marks and drips, so careful painting and a smooth base to start with is key.
Image Source: Hendricks Churchill
Semi-Gloss Finish (35-60% Sheen)
Shiny finish when dry.
Use on trim, mouldings, and doors- especially to highlight those in traditional homes where millwork is often more ornate and detailed.
Easy to clean, more durable than pearl or satin finish.
Because glossy paint reflect more light, a semi-gloss finish will look lighter than the same colour in a matte or eggshell finish. This is why painting your room in all the same colour but varying the finishes can look so beautiful: it offers subtle contrast but continuity as well.
Image Source: Jean Stoffer Design
High-Gloss Finish (85% and over)
Has a shiny, mirror-like finish.
Extremely hard, durable and washable.
Consider using for a luxe-looking powder room or furniture piece.
Only use on surfaces that are completely smooth.
Requires careful application to achieve a perfect finish; hire a professional painter for this finish.
Image Source: Dan Fink Studio
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