Once you’ve decided on the best paint colors for your home, you still have a decision to make: What’s the best paint finish for your project? A paint’s finish—or sheen—is a measure of light that reflects off the painted surface. Paint finishes range on a scale from flat (matte, non-reflective finishes) to high gloss (shiny, light-reflecting finishes).
The right paint sheen will enhance the look of a surface, while the wrong sheen can affect performance and make imperfections stand out. Designers use different sheens to make colors appear more saturated, highlight architectural details, or add a touch of glamor to a space. Read on for more details about the different types of paint sheens and how to use them!
Differences in Types of Paint Finishes
Most of us think of painting as a decorating decision since we use color to anchor the design of a space. However, paint also serves functional purposes such as protecting surfaces, hiding imperfections, or making them easier to clean. Different types of paint finishes offer various levels of durability and performance. The sheen also affects how colors appear, enhances plain surfaces, and adds dimension to architectural details.
In general, flatter paint finishes are easier to apply without showing brush marks, but they don’t stand up to scrubbing well. Higher sheen paints are much easier to clean, but the shine will highlight any surface imperfections, so achieving a smooth finish with glossy paint takes more skill.
In between flat and glossy, paint manufacturers offer additional finishes with various levels of gloss, coverage, and durability. (Not all companies use the same terminology, but most offer versions of matte, low-luster, low-gloss and high-gloss finishes).
A paint’s sheen affects how we see the depth of a color. Glossier sheens make colors appear brighter and slightly more saturated, while flat paints absorb light and appear darker. These effects can be used to help colors recede into the background or pop off the wall. For example, this living room is painted entirely with Benjamin Moore Deep Ocean 2058-30, but the color shows subtle differences between surfaces—eggshell on the walls, high gloss on the trim, and semi-gloss on the ceiling creates layering and depth:
Where to Use Different Paint Finishes
You can technically use any paint finish on any surface. However, painters and decorators do have their “rules” about what should go where, and they have good reason!
Eggshell is currently the most popular multi-purpose paint finish for walls with moderate traffic. High-traffic areas like entryways, kitchens, and kids’ rooms do best with durable paint finishes. Uneven, patched walls look better in a matte finish. Cabinetry and interior trim is usually finished in a glossier sheen – not only because it highlights the woodwork, but because it’s easier to keep clean. Here is a breakdown of the most common sheens for rooms in the house:
Our top-selling paint brand, Benjamin Moore, offers an extensive selection of products including seven distinct paint finishes. Let’s look more closely at the individual paint sheens and tips for how to choose the right finish for your project.
Flat Paint Finish
Flat paint finishes do not reflect light so they actually have no sheen at all. The lack of reflection gives the paint’s pigment a denser appearance. It’s more forgiving of flaws and has excellent hiding ability so it will reliably create a uniform surface. Flat paint is typically used on ceilings throughout a home, and also on walls in low-traffic areas like adult bedrooms, guest rooms, or closets.
Flat-finish paint isn’t the best choice for any area that may gather fingerprints or dirt. It's easy to blend in for repainting, but scrubbing flat-painted walls can leave noticeable “burnishing” marks.
Matte Paint Finish
A matte finish paint looks nearly identical to flat paint but is more durable. Like flat paint, matte paint is easy to use so it’s an excellent choice if you’re a first-time painter. It also hides imperfections and has excellent color depth. Matte paint holds up better than flat paint, so it’s a better choice of paint sheen to use in living rooms, family rooms, or dining rooms.
Benjamin Moore Regal®Select Interior Matte (548) is one of our favorite options for its easy application and velvety results.
While you won’t typically see matte finishes recommended for walls that require frequent cleaning, Benjamin Moore does offer one exception: AURA Bath & Spa. This specialty paint is the only product on the market that offers the smooth even finish of a matte sheen capable of withstanding the constant cleaning a bathroom requires. Get more details in our AURA Bath & Spa Review.
Eggshell Paint Finish
Eggshell finish has a low sheen that appears matte, but has a slight reflectance across the surface – just like the shell of an egg. Eggshell paint’s barely-there glow makes colors richer and is easy to clean. Its low-sheen surface means you can usually wipe off dirt and fingerprints without leaving marks.
It’s quite suitable for DIY application, although you’ll want to pay attention – if it’s applied carelessly you might see lap marks. Because of its low sheen an Eggshell paint finish can accommodate touch ups if needed. Eggshell sheen is an extremely popular finish that’s recommended for use throughout the home.
Pearl Paint Finish
Benjamin Moore’s Pearl paint finish has a slightly shinier surface that offers a soft gleam and higher durability against scuffs. This beautiful and easy-clean finish is ideal for walls in high traffic areas like a foyer, mud room or kitchen that are wiped down more often.
Pearl finish paint should be applied carefully; like any glossy paint it is more likely to show lap marks, brush strokes and other flaws. The glossy sheen adds dimension to wainscoting and trim, but it’s easier to apply than a high-gloss paint and covers well. It’s also mildew-resistant so it’s a good choice for high humidity spaces like bathrooms and laundry rooms. Choose a Pearl sheen for an elegant, rich finish that adds depth and dimension to a space.
Satin Paint Finish
Similar to a Pearl finish, a Satin paint sheen has a higher gloss on the surface to make it more washable and more durable than Eggshell or Flat. It’s a popular choice for walls when an Eggshell finish isn’t durable enough but a Semi-Gloss paint has too much shine.
On interior walls, you’ll love stain-resistant Satin sheen paint for the foyer, hallway, kitchen or bathroom. Or create low-key contrast by using Satin on the trim and Eggshell on walls throughout the home. Satin finish paint also adds rich definition to exterior trim around windows and doors. If a glossy front door isn’t your style, a Satin sheen is a low-lustre wall paint to consider. Like any glossy finish, it should be applied with care.
Semi-Gloss Paint Finish
Semi-gloss paint has a noticeably glossier finish that’s low maintenance and ideal for baseboards, trim, and doors. Glossy paint finishes call attention to decorative decorative details in millwork, and make colors appear richer. A semi-gloss finish is a popular choice for kitchen cabinets because it highlights cabinet details, is durable, and is easy to clean if the paint is a high-quality cabinet paint. Combine semi-gloss woodwork with a matte or eggshell wall finish for contrast.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a paint finish is the condition of the area you want to paint. If you plan to use semi-gloss or high-gloss paint, the walls or woodwork should be smooth and blemish-free. Light playing across a shiny surface highlights anything that stands out. So fill all dents, caulk all seams, and sand the surface well to prepare for a glossy finish. If it’s not possible to achieve a perfectly smooth surface, you may want to consider using a Satin or Pearl finish paint to achieve a low-lustre gleam instead.
Benjamin Moore offers a semi-gloss finish in all of their interior paints.
High Gloss Paint Finish
Known for its mirror-like finish, a high-gloss sheen is one of the most durable options and easy to clean. Like other glossy finishes, it enhances paint colors and adds elegant shine to walls, woodwork and furniture.
High-Gloss paints require careful surface preparation to make sure there are no imperfections; even the slightest bump or dent will stand out once a High-Gloss paint is applied. For this reason we recommend hiring a professional painter to prep the space and using a paint sprayer instead of a brush. High-Gloss finishes are loved by interior designers for their dramatic effect and the way they elevate colors with a glamorous shine. Use a High-Gloss sheen for elegant cabinetry in a library or kitchen, add drama to a powder room, or paint your interior doors a distinctive color.
Get Benjamin Moore Paints Delivered to Your Door!
With seven distinct paint sheens and a vast selection of over 3,700 colors, Benjamin Moore paints offers homeowners limitless opportunities for creativity and customization. You can find a wide range of Benjamin Moore products at Ring’s End. Pick up in our paint stores throughout the Northeast or order online — we ship anywhere in the U.S! And our color samples make it easy to find the perfect colors for your painting project.
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional helping a client, with the right paint sheen you can feel confident that you’ll love the end result!