Your Ultimate Paint Sheen Guide

This post is a paint sheen guide to help you choose the right paint sheen for your space.

When it comes to painting your home, choosing the right color is only half the battle. The other half? Picking the right paint sheen!

The sheen – or finish – of your paint can dramatically impact the look and feel of your space.

So in this post, I’ll break down the five most common types of paint sheens: flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and glossy.

I’ll explain how each one looks, how it can change the vibe of a room, and where it’s best used.

How to choose the right paint sheen

Before you choose a paint sheen you need to think about your space. Ask yourself these questions:

What room are you painting?

It’s generally best to use certain paint sheens in specific rooms.

Is there a lot of natural light in the space?

Natural lighting can reflect off some paint sheens more than others.

What surface area (walls/cabinets/door/trim) are you painting?

It’s usually recommended to use different paint sheens for different surfaces.

Is it a high traffic area?

High traffic areas call for more durable paint sheens.

Would you need to regularly clean the surface?

Wipeable or washable paint sheens are good choices if you have young children or pets.

What’s the condition of the surface?

Some paint sheens will highlight imperfections or textured surfaces a lot more than others.

A satin paint finish, with a soft glow sheen, is ideal for bathrooms because it can be wiped clean easier than flat paint.

Paint sheen guide

Now let’s talk about the differences in paint sheens.

Some brands like Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Farrow Ball might call their sheens by different names.

But ultimately, these are the most common ones, and you could align this paint sheen guide with most brands.

Flat/Matte

Flat and matte paint has a non-reflective finish that offers a smooth and velvety look.

Builders and contractors use this paint sheen by default because it’s excellent at hiding imperfections on walls and ceilings since it doesn’t reflect light.

Using a flat paint finish can give your room a more sophisticated and contemporary feel. It’s perfect for creating a relaxed and understated look.

The downside of flat or matte paint is that it’s virtually impossible to wipe down or clean if any dirt or smudges get on it. So it’s definitely not recommended to use flat or matte paint anywhere that could get dirty easily.

It’s most ideal for low traffic areas like bedrooms, dining rooms, and ceilings.

Flat or matte paint is also a good choice if your walls have imperfections or a texture that you don’t like, since the non-reflective finish will help hide some of that.

It’s important to note that some paint brands have separate flat and matte finishes that vary slightly.

Eggshell

Eggshell paint has a soft, low-sheen finish that has a slight hint of shine, similar to the surface of an eggshell. It’s a bit more lustrous than flat paint but still provides a smooth look.

Eggshell can add a touch of warmth and elegance to your spaces without being too flashy. It’s a great middle ground between flat and more reflective finishes.

Eggshell is versatile and works well in living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms. It’s durable enough for moderate traffic areas and easy to clean compared to flat paint.

Satin

Satin paint has a silky finish with a noticeable sheen that is smooth to the touch. It’s a nice balance between matte and glossy.

Satin sheens add a subtle shine to your walls. They can make colors appear more vibrant and reflect back more of the natural light in a room than flat paint.

Satin is more durable and easy to clean than flat/matte and eggshell. So it’s perfect for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and kids’ rooms.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paint has a noticeable shine and a sleek, smooth finish. It’s moderately reflective and can give your room a polished look.

Semi-gloss sheens can make a room feel brighter and more open. They also highlight architectural details, adding depth and dimension to your space.

Semi-gloss is excellent for trim, doors, and cabinets. It’s also a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms due to its durability and resistance to moisture and stains.

High Gloss

High gloss paint has the highest level of sheen with a shiny, glass-like finish. It’s the most reflective of all the paint sheens.

High gloss sheens can create a dramatic and sophisticated look. They are great for making bold statements and highlighting decorative elements.

However, this means that imperfections will be much more visible under high gloss paint. So if your cabinets, furniture or walls have any texture or imperfections that you don’t like, you’ll want to avoid high gloss and use a lower sheen paint instead.

High gloss paint is perfect for trim, furniture, and accent walls. It’s also a popular choice for areas that need to be easily cleaned, such as kitchen backsplashes and bathroom walls.

Paint Sheens Chart

	Flat/Matte	Eggshell	Satin	Semi-Gloss	High Gloss
Look & Feel	Smooth Velvety Hides imperfections	Smooth Subtle shine	Silky Soft glow	Noticeable shine Reflective	Shiny Most reflective Dramatic Highlights imperfections
Cleanability	1/10	4/10	6/10	8/10	10/10
Best Areas To Use	Foyer/entry way Bedrooms Home office Dining room Ceilings	High traffic areas Bedrooms Dining room	High traffic areas Children’s rooms	Trim & doors Kitchen cabinets Bathroom cabinets	Bathroom trim & cabinets

Choose your paint sheen before you go to buy paint

Choosing the right paint sheen can transform your space…for the better or worse.

So, next time you’re picking out paint, think about not just the color but the sheen too — it can make all the difference!