Which Paint Sheen Should I Use?

You’ve finally decided on the perfect color to bring into your home, so now it’s time to pick up a couple gallons and get to work right? Well, almost! There is one more decision to make regarding the paint, which is the sheen.

Paint sheen essentially refers to how shiny the paint is, and there are generally five options: Flat/Matte, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss/High-Gloss. Luckily, making the right decision for paint sheen is relatively straightforward.

At the top of the list is the least shiny and least durable finish. From there, the finishes get shinier and more durable as you move down.

For reference, the most common plan for a room is flat/matte paint for ceilings, satin for walls, and semi-gloss for trim. The images below are great for reference, but viewing samples in person is always the best option when selecting paint color and sheen.


Flat/Matte

Flat Paint.jpg

  • Most commonly used on ceilings

  • Nonreflective

  • Best at showing true color

  • Touches up well

  • Low durability

    • Oils from hands can show on walls when touched

    • Stains are apparent

  • Not easily cleaned compared to other sheens

  • Best used on low-traffic areas

    • Adult bedrooms

    • Ceilings

Eggshell

Eggshell Paint.jpg

  • Fittingly named as it has a similar finish as a chicken egg

    • Slightly more reflective than Flat paint

  • Can accentuate surface imperfections if improperly prepared

  • Medium durability

  • Best used on low to moderate-traffic areas

    • Living rooms

    • Dining rooms

Satin

Satin Paint.jpg

  • Most common finish for walls

  • Often described as a “velvety” finish

    • Very slightly more reflective than eggshell

  • Touch-ups can be tricky if not done properly

  • High durability

  • Best used on moderate-traffic areas

    • Hallways

    • Children’s bedrooms

Semi-Gloss

Semi Gloss Paint.jpg

  • Most common finish for trim

    • Helps set it apart from walls

  • High durability

  • Best used on high-traffic or high-moisture areas

    • Bathrooms

    • Kitchens

High-Gloss

Gloss Paint.jpg

  • Most commonly used on cabinets

  • Least-often used sheen

  • Most durable and easiest to clean

  • Shows every imperfection on a wall

  • Often too shiny to use anywhere except cabinets

    • Semi-gloss is much more common for trim

  • Very high durability

It’s also important to use a high-quality paint of whichever color/sheen you use. Check out our article here to learn why!

If you’d like to read more about which paint sheen to use, this article by HouseLogic as well as this one by Consumer Reports do a great job further explaining the subject.

I hope this article has been helpful to you! As always, feel free to reach out to me at brendan@McCormickPaintingServices.com or 563-506-5510 and I’d be happy to further explain anything. If you’re looking for painters to hire for your next project in Cedar Rapids or surrounding areas, give us a call!

Brendan McCormick