Choosing a paint color can be fun, if not slightly overwhelming, given the vast number of color palettes available. Just walking down the paint sample aisle in any hardware store is enough to make even the most practiced painter both giddy with anticipation and anxious about the sheer number of choices to make.
Once you’ve completed choosing your main color, you’re not done yet. Now the level of paint sheen (or finish) should be your last decision before commencing your paint project.
Often the color choice gets all the glory when it comes to any paint project, but the paint sheen is what can make or break the appearance of that color. Unsure how this all works? Let us explain the concept of paint sheens and which ones work best in each room of your home.
What Is Paint Sheen?
Paint sheen often called paint finish interchangeably, refers to how shiny the paint is and how much light is reflected off the surface. The higher the sheen, such as in semi-gloss and high gloss, the more the light is reflected back into the space. The lower the level of sheen, such as in matte, flat, and eggshell, the less the light is reflected. Instead, the light is absorbed by the paint.
While different paint manufacturers use varying terminology for paint sheens they mostly use sheen-level terms such as flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss.
In general, the higher the sheen, the higher the shine or glossiness, and the more durable the paint will be. The flatter the sheen, the more porous and challenging it will be to clean. (Think fingerprints, food splatters, shoe scuffs on trim, and all other sorts of ways that walls and ceiling surfaces can become dirty.)
Flat & Matte Sheens
As the names indicate, flat and matte paint sheens are light absorbing rather than reflecting. They tend to be low luster and non-reflective in nature. These two types of sheens are great at hiding imperfections on the walls and ceiling, however, they are not as resistant to stains.
Eggshell & Satin Sheens
One step up in reflectiveness is what is referred to as eggshell and satin finishes or sheens. This level of shine seems to be a happy medium for many homeowners to use in rooms that are high-traffic areas and may experience fingerprints or smudges on the walls, especially around light switches or chair rails.
Consumer Reports testing shows that these two similar sheens are best used in areas such as “family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Satin, which is a little more hard-wearing than eggshell, works well in those rooms, too, but also in kitchens, dining areas, children’s bedrooms, and bathrooms. Many satin finishes are tough enough to use on trim as well.”
Semi-Gloss & High Gloss Sheens
Paints that have a semi-gloss or high gloss finish will have a shine to them. These glossy sheens are very durable and much easier for quick clean-ups. They are best used on windows, trim, and doors. Some homeowners swear by this level of sheen in their kitchen where spills and splatters are commonplace and thus easier to wipe up.
Deciding on a sheen level can be overwhelming, especially after the challenge of choosing a primary color. You will want to take into account the amount of light that will be reflected in the room (both natural and artificial) as well as how much traffic and potential for messes are in the space. Be sure to test out not only your sample color but the correct sheen on your walls before taking the leap to apply your paint fully.