When decorating your home, the walls are a focal point. While selecting the right colour is essential, the paint finish you choose plays a crucial role in shaping the room’s overall look. With so many options available, choosing the perfect wall paint finish to suit your needs can be challenging.
Each finish has characteristics that affect the room’s ambience, durability, and maintenance, so making an informed decision based on the space’s purpose and your personal preferences is essential.
This blog has everything you need to know about the various paint finishes to help you stay informed and make the ideal choice.
What is Paint Finish?
A paint finish refers to the sheen or gloss level of the paint surface after it dries. It affects how light reflects off the walls and influences the texture and appearance of the painted area. The finish also impacts the room’s durability, cleanability, and overall look.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Wall Paint Finish
When choosing wall paint sheen, the following are some essential factors to consider:
- Lighting: The level of natural and artificial light in a room can significantly affect how shiny the walls appear.
- Wall Texture: Smoother surfaces, like drywall, reflect higher-sheen paint more effectively than highly textured walls.
- Personal Preference: Do you prefer an ultra-matte, sophisticated look, or are you drawn to a bright, shiny surface? Choose a finish that complements your decor. For example, the Nerolac Beauty Little Master Sheen and Nerolac Beauty Ceiling Emulsion series are excellent wall paint finishes that help brighten your room.
Most Popular Wall Paint Finishes
Following is a summary of wall paint finishes from flattest to most glossy sheen that are in demand by the people:
1. Matte
With an absolute absence of shine, matte (flat) paint absorbs light, highlighting the actual wall colour. It covers surface flaws well but is hard to clean and less long-lasting. Matte is ideal for dignified areas, such as dining rooms, living rooms, and master suites.
- Sheen Level: Non-reflective
- Durability: Low Probability
- Best For: Ceilings, bedrooms, formal dining and living rooms
2. Eggshell
The eggshell is a bit more lustrous than the matte, and the eggshell finish possesses a soft, reflective quality. It retains the flat paint’s sophisticated, peaceful appearance but with added durability and stain resistance. Apply eggshells to spaces where you desire a sophisticated decorative appearance with little sheen.
- Sheen Level: Soft, velvety look
- Durability: Low-moderate scrub ability
- Best For: Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms
3. Satin
The soft sheen of satin paint provides much better stain resistance and cleanability than flat finishes. It is perfect for family rooms, children’s rooms, kitchens, and other mid-to-high-traffic areas. Satin is the most widely used option for interior walls requiring durability without a shiny appearance.
- Sheen Level: Low-luster sheen
- Durability: Moderate scrub ability
- Best For: Bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways
4. Semi-Gloss
With its shiny finish and excellent stain resistance, semi-gloss paint is ideal for locations exposed to moisture, spills, and dirt. It can be applied to kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, children’s rooms, doors and cabinetry.
- Sheen Level: Medium-high reflective sheen
- Durability: High scrub ability
- Best For: Bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, children’s rooms
5. High-Gloss
High-gloss paint shines the most of all the finishes, giving a light, glass-slick look. It is most resistant to moisture, spills, condensation, and cleaning solvents. Reserve high gloss for sparing uses on accent walls, cabinets, and doors to create paint of modern glamour.
- Sheen Level: Highly reflective surface
- Durability: Maximum stain & water resistance
- Best For: Furniture, cabinets, trim, bathrooms
6. Matte Enamel
Matte enamel paint combines matte’s soft, sophisticated appearance with the scrubbing tolerance of glossy enamel. It nicely smoothes walls with a non-shiny, velvety look that prevents damage. Employ this matte enamel on busy living areas such as family rooms, home offices, kitchens, and bathrooms that call for durability without shine.
- Sheen Level: Matte but ultra-scrubbable
- Durability: Maximum stain & moisture resistance
- Best For: Bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, kids’ rooms
7. Textured Finish
Textured finishes add depth and dimension to walls using various application techniques, such as brushing, sponging, or spraying. The texture can range from subtle to bold and rough, creating a dramatic, one-of-a-kind look.
- Sheen Level: Depends on the base paint finish used
- Durability: Low to moderate scrub ability
- Best For: Accent walls, rustic or industrial rooms. Great for adding flair.
Tips on Picking the Right Paint Finish for Every Room
Below are tips for choosing wall paint finishes for various rooms according to their use:
- Living Areas: Eggshell and satin finishes are ideal for living room and home office walls. The subtle glow creates warmth without excess shine.
- Kitchens & Dining Rooms: The best finishes for kitchen walls are satin, semi-gloss, or matte enamel paints.
- Bathrooms: Semi-gloss or high-gloss paint resists high humidity and heavy cleaning. Matte enamel is also a long-lasting bathroom paint choice.
- Bedrooms: Select ultra-flat matte or velvety eggshell finishes for bedroom walls to provide a soothing retreat.
Conclusion
Choosing the correct one will be challenging with all the choices for wall paint finishes. But by considering the room’s uses, traffic level, lighting, and style, you can select the ideal finish. Flat matte paint produces a stylish, serene appearance in formal rooms, whereas glossy paint provides brightness and reflects more light. Rugged satin or semi-gloss finishes resist the stresses of family living. If you need professional guidance, consider hiring painting services to ensure a flawless finish and expert recommendations.
