How to Choose The Right Paint Shine

Before you paint any room, it’s important to know what paint sheen (or amount of shine) is best for the room. It’s actually very easy to figure out, you just should first know a little bit about different sheens and which rooms they are best suited for.

1. Flat or Matte

• Provide a smooth, elegant finish. They tend to absorb dirt and camouflage imperfections. Although they are somewhat difficult to clean, flat or matte paints are also very easy to touch up, so keep some extra paint on hand for touching up nicks and scratches. Flat or matte works best for ceilings, foyers and other low-traffic areas. 

2. Eggshell (Low-luster)

• Presents a smooth and warm surface, and is easier to wash and more resistant to stains and scuffs. Eggshell paint works great for bedrooms, family rooms and hallways.

3. Satin

• Satin sheens are extremely versatile and provide an elegant finish that softly reflects light. Easy to clean, Satin finishes work well for higher-traffic areas. Since a satin sheen offers depth and warmth, it is great for Living-rooms, Dining-rooms and Hallways. It also works well for kitchen and bathrooms.

4. Semi-gloss

• A semi-gloss sheen reflects light and brightens a room. It shows dirt easily but is also very easy to wash and highly moisture resistant. Semi-gloss sheens are most typically used in Kitchens and Bathrooms. 

5. High-gloss

• High-gloss sheens reflect light and are easy to clean. They also present an almost plastic-looking finish and are typically just used for cabinets, trim and out-door purposes. 

Take all of this into consideration, and choosing a sheen for your room should be quite simple. If you have any more questions, feel free to call us at 301-831-3679.