EXPERT ADVICE

How to Choose a Paint Finish

You've finally narrowed down your paint colors, and now you must make another decision – it's time to choose a sheen.

Picking a paint finish may seem like a minor design consideration, but this choice will determine to the final look and durability of your project.

Here's a look at popular sheens and the benefits of each help to you make the best choice.

The Sheen Spectrum

Popular Sheens

Gloss

Gloss sheens have higher light-reflective characteristics. This shiny, durable finish works great for any element of a room you would like to highlight such as:

Wood trim
Cabinets
Doors
Furniture

Gloss Finish Interior Paints

Gloss Finish Exterior Paints

Semi-Gloss

This moderately reflective, durable finish is perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently, such as:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Utility area
Closet doors
Trim

Semi-Gloss Finish Interior Paints

Semi-Gloss Finish Exterior Paints

Satin / Eg-Shel

With a slight shine, Satin and Eg-Shel finishes offer a richer look. Washability makes these sheens ideal for high-traffic areas most likely to attract nicks and scuff marks such as:

Hallways
Woodwork
Children's bedrooms
Family rooms
Exterior surfaces

Satin Finish Interior Paints

Eg-Shel Finish Interior Paints

Satin Finish Exterior Paints

Matte

This flat finish is great for hiding surface imperfections, while its angular shine helps make walls smooth and washable. Use this sheen for:

Living rooms
Dining rooms
Exterior siding

Matte Finish Interior Paints

Flat

A non-reflective sheen that helps hide surface imperfections, making walls appear smooth. Visually this finish smooths walls that are dented or rough. However, it can be harder to clean. Best for:

Adult bedrooms
Formal Living Rooms
Ceilings
Uneven or textured walls

Flat Finish Interior Paints

Flat Finish Exterior Paints

Additional Sheens

High Gloss - The most lustrous and reflective option. Very durable but can give surfaces a high glare. Use this finish on:

Trim
Doors
Windows
Cabinets

High Gloss Finish Interior Paints
High Gloss Finish Exterior Paints

Medium Lustre - This higher-gloss finish is perfect for doors and trim. We like this sheen for:

Doors
Trim

Medium-Lustre Finish Interior Paints

Pearl - A subtle shimmer midway between eg-shel and semi-gloss offering a lustrous finishing touch. Try this sheen for:

Kitchen
Bathroom
Hallways

Pearl Finish Interior Paints

Low-Lustre - A smooth, subtle sheen that's durable and easy to clean. Ideal for:

Office
Kitchen
Bathroom
Hallways

Low-Lustre Finish Interior Paints
Low-Lustre Finish Exterior Paints

Velvet - A flat finish option with some sheen and a smooth finish. Works best for:

Entryways
Hallways
Ceilings
Bedrooms

Velvet Finish Interior Paints

Find the Best Sheens for Each Room

	Flat	Matte	Velvet	Eg-Shel/Satin	Low Lustre	Pearl	Semi-Gloss	Medium Lustre	Gloss	High Gloss
Living /Great Room	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○	○
Dining ROOm	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○	○
Office	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○	○
Bedroom	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○	○
kids' room	○	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○	○
Kitchen & Bath (Walls)	○	●	○	●	●	●	○	○	○	○
Hallways	●	●	●	●	●	●	○	○	○	○
Ceiling	●	○	○	○	○	○	○	○	○	○
Trim & Millwork	○	○	○	●	○	○	●	○	●	●
Cabinets	○	○	○	●	○	○	●	○	●	●
Doors & Windows	○	○	○	●	○	○	●	○	●	●
Exteriors	●	○	○	●	○	○	○	○	●	○

Find the Best Sheens for Each Room

Download Guide

Sheen FAQs

A: Bathroom walls are best served by paint sheens that reflect light and are easy to clean. Go with a gloss or semi-gloss finish.

A: Children can cause a lot of wear and tear in their bedrooms so we recommend a durable, easy-to-clean semi-gloss sheen for this type of space. For adult rooms with less traffic, try a light-absorbing flat finish.

A: It really depends on the space, but here's a designer trick to keep in mind. Light-reflecting paint finishes with a higher-gloss can help brighten dark spaces. Matte and flat finish paints soak up light and can hide surface imperfections.

A: Most exterior surfaces look best in a satin or eg-shel finish. However, paint with a matte finish can help hide blemishes on exterior surfaces. Durable gloss or semi-gloss finish are ideal for exterior trim that's exposed to the elements.

A: We love a durable gloss finish for kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Paint with this sheen can be easily cleaned with damp cloth, so your cabinets will look sleek and smooth for years to come.

Guide to Gloss & Sheen

As a designer, nothing is more important than your vision. Find the best finish with our Gloss & Sheen Guide to bring designs to life for your clients.

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