How Glossy Should Interior Walls Be?

The paint sheen is a measure of how much light reflects off a painted surface, affecting the appearance of colors. There are five different types of sheens: flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss. Flat flat is the most common, as it absorbs light and hides imperfections effectively. It is low sheen, non-reflective, and ideal for low-traffic areas and ceilings. Semi-gloss and eggshell are the most popular paint finishes, suitable for walls, woodwork, doors, and hallways.

A flat or matte finish is best suited for walls in living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms, as it provides a non-reflective surface that brings out the true colors of paint and helps hide imperfections. Eggshell finishes are popular for walls in homes with kids, as they combine good washability with the ability to hide flaws. Satin, eggshell, and flat/matte are typically best for interior painting of walls. Gloss and semi-gloss paint are best for doors, baseboards, trim, cabinets, and more.

There are six best interior paints from CR’s tests, including flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and hi-gloss enamel. Each type offers its own distinct benefits, with flat, eggshell, and satin paint generally best for interior walls, while semi-gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork.

The paint’s finish, or sheen factor, helps determine its durability, reflective value, and color depth. For example, eggshell is used on walls, while satin is used in kitchens and bathrooms due to its ease of cleaning and resistance to steam from the shower.

What sheen of paint do interior designers use?

Eggshell is a popular paint finish among interior designers due to its flat appearance and luster. Perfect Eggshell Wall Paint offers a rich color with a soft sheen and is durable enough to clean up easily. It is mildew-resistant, making it suitable for high-moisture areas like bathrooms. Eggshell is suitable for any room in your home and can be used for any surface with a pristine look. To create depth and visual interest, it is recommended to paint everything in one finish. A semi-gloss trim can create a layered look, making it interior designer-approved.

What type of paint is best for interior walls?

Eggshell paint is a popular choice for interior walls, particularly in living rooms and dining rooms, as it offers a balance between glossy paint’s easy maintenance and matte paint’s ability to cover imperfections. However, it is more difficult to touch up later than matte paint, causing visible splotches when not painted the entire wall. Semi-gloss finish is more suitable for millwork, such as trim for windows and doors or kitchen cabinets, as it is easier to clean and attracts more fingerprints. Some manufacturers have introduced matte or flat paints that are as easy to wash as eggshell paints.

Is satin or low sheen better for walls?

Wattyl Solagard Low Sheen provides an optimal balance between aesthetic appeal, dirt resistance, and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for wood trim and coastal environments. The addition of a satin finish enhances the durability and washability of the coating, rendering it an optimal selection for wood trim applications.

What sheen for bathroom?

Choose the right finish for your bathroom, such as satin or semi-gloss, for durability and a shinier look. Satin is ideal for walls, ceiling, and trim, while semi-gloss is even tougher and easier to clean. Prep the walls to get them smooth and avoid any imperfections. Wash the walls first to ensure a clean, dry surface for new paint to adhere to. Remove mildew with a sponge dipped in a solution of bleach to water. Keep the room well-ventilated by opening a window or running an exhaust fan.

Wipe down the surface with clean water and allow it to dry before painting. Protect areas not to be painted by applying painter’s tape to the edges and using a sash brush with a tapered tip. These tools make it easier to control and maintain the cleanliness of your bathroom.

Why do builders use flat paint?

The flat finish paint is often used by builders, sellers, or low-cost painters in newer homes or homes painted by the seller for sale or by a low-cost painter. This low-grade paint is often used because it is inexpensive, easy to touch up, and hides imperfections in drywall walls. Builders avoid using satin or eggshell paint because it is difficult to touch up and reveals drywall work imperfections, which are often rushed to finish the job on budget.

After the walls are painted, electricians, plumbers, cabinet and granite installers, and floor finishers must come in and complete the finish work and installations, causing dings and scuffs in the walls. This is not cost-effective for the general contractor, painters, or homeowners. Therefore, builders use builder-grade flat paint.

However, this flat finish wears badly, scuffs easily, is chalky, and cannot be cleaned or removed. The problem is not because the paint is a flat finish; it is because the low-grade cheap paint saves the builder, seller, or low-cost painter money, allowing them to give a low bid and get the place looking good for the short term. However, the paint will not last or look good a year or two later.

Is satin finish washable?

Satin paint is a durable and easy-to-clean option suitable for high-traffic areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and kids’ rooms. It is also popular for trim, especially when enhancing the architecture of a space. However, it can lose its sheen if scrubbed too roughly. To maintain its luster, it is recommended to use a wipe and avoid abrasive scrubs. To achieve a smooth and blemish-free finish, ensure your walls are smooth and blemish-free. House Beautiful’s Senior Shopping Editor, Isis Briones, can help find the best home items at various price points and can also offer travel deals.

What sheen is best for interior ceilings?

The majority of ceiling paints are formulated with a matte finish, which conceals imperfections and irregularities without reflecting light. This design is advantageous in that it does not draw the eye upward and is not prone to scuffing, whereas reflective sheens have the potential to detract from the overall aesthetic of the room.

Is flat or satin better for interior walls?

For low-traffic areas like bedrooms, opt for flat or eggshell finishes for elegance and minimal shine. For high-traffic areas like hallways or kitchens, satin or semi-gloss paints are ideal due to their durability and ease of cleaning. Flat paint is suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms, while eggshell paint offers a subtle sheen. Satin paint is better suited for children’s rooms, hallways, and kitchens, and semi-gloss is the most durable option due to its moisture resistance and easy-to-clean nature.

When choosing paint’s sheen level, consider room type, traffic levels, and surface imperfections. Lower-sheen paints hide blemishes better, while higher-sheens highlight them. Proper preparation, including sanding uneven surfaces, is crucial for a smooth, drip-free coat. Quality materials and tools are essential for a smooth finish.

How to tell what sheen your paint is?

Gloss refers to the amount of light reflected from a paint surface, with smooth surfaces appearing shiny or glossy. On the other hand, flat or satin/low sheen paints have a rough surface profile, making light appear flat. Gloss level affects both appearance and serviceability, improving paint durability, but also highlighting defects and imperfections. Higher gloss levels also affect color perception, with brighter and richer colors appearing in higher gloss paints. Overall, gloss is crucial in determining the appearance and serviceability of paints.

Which sheen is best for interior walls?

Eggshell sheen is a popular choice for medium to low traffic areas, as it is easy to wash and conceal imperfections. It is the most common sheen for interior walls, making it a good middle ground between aesthetics and longevity. Eggshell is suitable for bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms.

Flat/Matte finishes are ideal for ceilings or smooth walls with blemishes, as they reflect less light and help hide imperfections. They are best used in areas that won’t require frequent abuse or scrubbing. Using flat paint on ceilings is recommended due to their uniform appearance and pleasing appearance. Traditionally, flat or matte finishes don’t clean up as well, but some manufacturers claim their newer low sheen paint formulas perform as well as higher sheen counterparts.

What paint finish do interior designers use?

Water-based latex paint in an eggshell finish is the most popular type for interior walls, ceilings, doors, and trim. There are three main types of house paint: eggshell, semigloss, and matte. Eggshell is durable and easy to clean, semigloss is great for accents and trim, and matte is great for older walls to hide imperfections.

The paint finish can change color, but the differences are subtle. High-gloss paint makes colors look more vibrant and saturated, while gloss and semigloss add a sense of glamour and vividness. Satin finishes have a smooth, gentle glow and more sheen than eggshell, making colors appear brighter. It is recommended to test samples on a small section of the wall under different lighting conditions to find the best paint type for your needs.