Find the Right Paint Finish for Every Project

If you’ve got a wall that’s far from a perfect surface, flat paint is a wonderful way to hide imperfections. Instead of reflecting light, due to its high concentration of pigment, flat paint soaks up light. Its low sheen makes it difficult to clean so it's best suited for surfaces that are out of reach of kids and pets.

Matte paint is very similar to flat paint, in fact the amount of gloss added is only a small percentage higher than flat paint so many of the same principles apply. However, matte paint recently surged in popularity thanks to the richness it lends to walls. It looks especially luxurious in dark colors. Due to its popularity, some paint brands have reformulated matte paint so it's easier to clean.

Getting its name from the subtle shine of an eggshell, eggshell paint is one of the most popular finishes for walls in a home. It cleans easier than flat or matte paint but is less forgiving than a matte or flat paint. So thorough wall prep is a must before using. Touch ups are also more challenging. To get a uniform finish, it’s common to repaint an entire wall or section to get the finish to match.

Satin paint is the middle of the road when it comes to paint sheen. It also adds brightness to a room and can make your chosen paint color look more vivid. Satin paint is easy to clean and resists scuffs and scratches, but like eggshell paint, shows imperfections in the wall and doesn’t touch up easily. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker though, be smart about proper prep and if you do need to touch it up consider repainting a section instead of just one small spot on the wall.

Semi-gloss paint has a noticeable sheen that makes it very durable. Not only is it easy to clean, it also holds up better to moisture than a flat or matte paint making it a smart choice in kitchens or bathrooms. Use semi-gloss paint to highlight unique architectural details in your home like molding, millwork, mantels or railings.

High drama and with so much sheen it creates an almost mirror-like finish, high-gloss paint is a statement. This harder finish was traditionally used to highlight molding and millwork but recently designers use it as wall paint to create a jewel box-like effect in small bathrooms or powder rooms. High-gloss paint shows every imperfection, so many people choose pro painters to prep and complete this kind of job but can be DIYed with enough expertise.

It depends on the area you’re painting. For example, if you’re painting the walls in a room that gets a lot of light, satin paint is a subtle, livable choice where a semi-gloss on the wall could reflect too much. If you’re choosing a trim paint or painting a moisture-prone room, semi-gloss would work better for its durability and moisture resistance.

Honestly this paint choice comes down to preference. The sheen level is close, so it’s really what you think will look best on the wall. Know that both can be challenging to touch up, but if you’re struggling to decide, test the different formulations before painting the whole room. Seeing how it works in different light helps make the decision easier.

Sheen would be the biggest consideration here. A matte paint soaks up light and make a room feel moodier, while a satin paint helps reflect more light around the room. If a matte look is your goal, look for a paint formulation that’s easy to clean.

Same as above, but an even more dramatic difference because a flat paint has no sheen. A flat paint is forgiving on walls with imperfections and can be used on low traffic surfaces like ceilings and closets. Satin is better suited to walls in high traffic areas since it can be easily cleaned.

The biggest difference between a semi-gloss and a high-gloss paint finish is that a gloss paint’s sheen is dialed way up. You’ll see reflections in a large sections of gloss paint. A semi-gloss is going to give you a more subtle look like the finish on painted furniture. Both are easy to clean, incredibly durable and require meticulous surface prep.

Taking the paint finish to the next level sheen-wise, there’s only a subtle difference between these paints that come down largely to your preference. Like we’ve mentioned, testing in the room gives you the best idea of what the color looks like in different light. Matte paint is harder to clean, but more forgiving of imperfections in the wall and easier to touch up.