Paint sheen has a significant impact on the look, the feel, and the function of a space, so understanding the ins and outs of paint finishes is a valuable design skill to cultivate. We created our essential Guide to Gloss & Sheen to help you simplify the sheen selection process, complete with side-by-side finish samples and at-a-glance guidance to take guesswork out of the equation. 

To celebrate the release of this helpful tool, we asked experts to provide some pointers on choosing—and using—your preferred sheen to its best advantage.

Anyone who has specified paint for their own home or a client’s project may have found that there’s more to selecting sheen than meets the eye. 

In general, the higher the shine of the paint, the more durable it is, requiring fewer touch-ups and easier cleaning or upkeep over time. However, the more flat or matte a paint finish is, the better it hides imperfections. The sheen of a paint not only impacts its appearance, but also how well it stands up to moisture, stains, and general wear and tear.

Meredith Huck wanted to ensure this dimensional statement wall remained a focal point, so she picked a flat sheen to give Iron Ore SW 7069 (251-C7) a velvety look alongside Snowbound SW 7004 (256-C2) in satin. Photo by Frances V Isaac Photography.

A quick reference of all the available finishes and their various characteristics can be found in our new Guide to Gloss & Sheen. To find out more and order yours, connect with your Account Executive or order now through your PRO+ account.

In addition to considering a paint’s durability or hide, the functions of the space itself must be taken into account: how much light does the room get, and what kind? Is the surface high-traffic or high-touch; will the room often get humid and filled with steam, as in a bathroom?

How the space is used and lived in will help identify the main priority, be it long-term durability or easy regular touchups. Personal aesthetic preferences can supersede these specifications as well, since sheen can affect the depth of color.

Cyberspace SW 7076 (235-C7) looks especially rich and dark in a flat finish, designed here by Sarah Coe Design. Photos by Marina Storm, Picture Perfect House.

“The flatter a coating is, the darker a color will look,” says Amanda Lowery, Architectural Account Executive at Sherwin-Williams. “The same color in a higher sheen will often appear lighter if placed side by side with its flat counterpart.” Using a visual tool, like our Guide to Gloss & Sheen, with sheen or gloss samples can help you decide if the color chosen still achieves the desired look in the appropriate sheen for the surface being painted.

Ally Maloney Winzer from Maloney Interiors notes the importance of sheen beyond color appearance: “Sheen can help create hierarchy within the space—it can elevate details or tone them down, depending on what you would like to draw attention to. It can add contrast and depth to a space with a variety of visual textures.” 

The semi-gloss sheen of In the Navy SW 9178 (253-C3) elevates the architectural details of door and trim in this guest bedroom by Maloney Interiors. Photos by Cate Brown Photography.

When it comes to discussing sheen selection with a client, there are a few commonly misunderstood aspects of the topic. 

“Often, we use the terms gloss and sheen interchangeably while they are, in fact, different,” Amanda Lowery points out. Gloss measures light striking the surface at a 60-degree angle, whereas sheen is measured at an 85-degree angle. “Some products may have the same gloss and sheen rating, while others may differ,” Lowery says. 

Kat Nelson chose a matte finish for this kitchen, since Emerald^® Designer Edition^™, Emerald^®, and Duration Home^® formulas provide exceptional durability and stain resistance, even in high-traffic spaces. Walls: Aesthetic White SW 7035 (259-C4), matte; cabinets: Jasper SW 6216 (218-C7), semi-gloss. Photos courtesy of Kat Nelson Designs.

Another trick, shared by Ally Maloney Winzer, is to use sheen choice to change the way light plays in the space. “If you are looking to create more light in a space,” she says, then “you might consider a light paint color in a semi-gloss finish.” Contrarily, if you want a color’s richness and sophistication to be the star, a matte finish achieves this by absorbing most of the light.

Kelly Marie Interior Design considered the use of the space when selecting a satin finish for cabinets and wall molding in Repose Gray SW 7015 (244-C1). Photos by Catalina Lackner, Luxe View Photography.

A visual aid is perhaps the best way to explain differences in sheen to your clients. Connect with your Account Executive or order now through your PRO+ account to receive our comprehensive Guide to Gloss & Sheen.

Top image: Tricorn Black SW 6258 (251-C1) and Pure White SW 7005 (255-C1); shown in High Gloss, Eg-Shel/Satin, Flat.