What Is The Best Paint Sheen For My Space?

When it comes to buying wall paint, you’ll need to choose a paint sheen as well as a color. Paint sheens range from flat to gloss finishes, and they impact the look of your walls as well as the paint’s performance. Understanding how paint sheens differ can help you choose the right one for your space.

What Is Paint Sheen?

Paint sheen indicates the degree of shine present in a paint's finish. Depending on the paint sheen you choose, painted surfaces can look matte, silky or glossy. Sheen also affects the paint’s durability, stain resistance and washability.

Paint sheens typically fall under one of five categories:

• Flat Paint (matte, no shine)

• Eggshell Paint (soft, low sheen)

• Satin Paint (silky-looking finish with a slight gloss)

• Semi-Gloss Paint (moderate shine)

• Gloss Paint/High-Gloss Paint (most reflective)

Each sheen has its unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right one for your room or surface.

Common Paint Sheens

Flat Paint

Flat paint delivers a smooth, matte finish with no shine. Because it doesn't reflect light, it’s excellent at hiding imperfections like cracks or nail holes. People commonly use it on ceilings and low-traffic rooms like dining rooms and bedrooms.

Eggshell Paint

Eggshell paint tends to be the most popular interior paint. It offers a slight sheen, similar to an actual eggshell. While eggshell paint is more durable than flat paint, it’s not ideal for high-traffic or high-moisture areas. Instead, its subtle luster is a good choice for areas that get moderate use, such as hallways, living rooms and bedrooms.

Satin Paint

Satin paint is slightly glossier than eggshell paint. It’s durable and easy to clean, making it a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms and kids’ rooms. Satin paint can highlight imperfections, so it’s important to properly prepare your walls before painting.

Semi-Gloss Paint

Semi-gloss paint has a noticeable shine, making it highly reflective and durable. It’s resistant to moisture, stains and scuffs, making it ideal for high-traffic or high-humidity areas. People often choose semi-gloss paint for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms, and use it on trim, baseboards and doors throughout a home.

Gloss Paint

Gloss paint delivers the shiniest and most reflective finish. While it’s durable and easy to clean, it’s not commonly used to paint an entire wall or room. Instead, people often use gloss paint on smaller surfaces, like furniture or décor. Glossier finishes also tend to be more popular choices for exterior paint than flatter sheens.

Can You Use More Than One Sheen?

Because you use different paint sheens on different surfaces, you’ll likely use more than one sheen in a single room. For instance, you may decide to apply eggshell paint to your bedroom walls but use flat paint on the ceiling and semi-gloss on your trim.

Ultimately, the best paint sheen is one that aligns with your personal style and the demands of your space.

Why Does Paint Sheen Matter?

Paint sheen isn’t just about aesthetics — it plays a functional role as well. Consider the following factors when choosing a sheen:

• Durability. High-sheen paints (like semi-gloss and gloss) are most resistant to scuffs and stains, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.

• Easy Cleaning. Glossy finishes are easier to wipe clean, while flat paint tends to trap dirt and may be harder to maintain.

• Light Reflection. The glossier the sheen, the more it reflects light. This can make a room feel brighter but may also highlight wall imperfections. Flat paint, on the other hand, hides flaws but absorbs light.

• Room Functionality. Different rooms may benefit from different paint sheens, depending on how you use the space.

Understanding these factors will help you choose the best wall paint sheen for each room in your home.

Choosing the best paint sheen is just as important as picking the right color. By knowing your options and choosing the right sheen for your space, you can ensure your paint job looks and works as you expect.