Giving your space a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and affordable ways to completely transform and elevate the room. Deciding on a colour palette can be a fun challenge, but what most people struggle with is picking the appropriate finish.
What does eggshell even mean? And how is it so different from matte or semi-gloss? Have ever stood at the counter at Home Depot trying to decode these terms? You are not alone, friend.
These options can be very confusing, but don’t worry, we’re here to help you.
Let’s break down the different types of paint finishes, what they entail, and where the best place to use them is.
After understanding a few important factors about these paint finishes, you will feel waaay more comfortable selecting your colour palette and beginning your project!
Images via Pinterest.
What you need to know is that there are six different types of paint finishes that are available to us…yes, we said six! Why? I’m just the messenger so don’t shoot me.
You may not need all of them but after you understand all six, maybe you’ll see how we need six. The six paint finishes are high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, matte and flat.
As you can probably assume, High-Gloss is the shiniest paint finish and Flat is the least shiniest.
The finish of a paint indicates the level of gloss in the formula, or how shiny it will turn out. The higher the shine, the more light is reflected and the more durable the paint is, which also means it is easy to clean.
But! Of course there is a trade off: a paint finish with a lower shine will do a better job at hiding any imperfections on your wall and takes better to touch ups. And the Matte look can be quite stunning if it is done correctly.
There are a few things we need to consider when we choose a paint finish. For example, you will need to consider how busy the traffic is in the space, how often it needs to be cleaned, who uses the room and how the room is used mostly.
Images via Pinterest.
High Gloss Paint Finish
High Gloss paint is exactly what you would imagine, high in gloss. It’s best used in places with a lot of traffic that need to be cleaned often. Think kitchen cabinets, doors and trim.
We would not recommend using high-gloss paint on interior walls as it shows every little imperfection and reflects A LOT of light. Reserve this finish for places that require a high durability.
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Semi Gloss Paint Finish
Semi-gloss is a step lower on the shiny scale and is still used best in high traffic areas. Like High-Gloss, it is great for cabinets, doors and trim but is also an amazing contender for places with a lot of moisture like bathrooms or kitchens.
Satin Paint Finish
Next up is Satin. Because Satin falls in the middle of the spectrum we are continuing to use it in areas of high traffic. Think foyer walls, where people tend to lean, or kids bedrooms where sticky fingers are unavoidable.
Satin is easy to clean and has great durability so you won’t have to worry about stains from those little peanut butter fingers!
Images via Pinterest.
Eggshell Paint Finish
Eggshell is a popular choice for a lot of rooms. Because it falls in the middle of the shine spectrum, it tends to cover wall imperfections well, and has medium durability. It is great for spaces that don’t receive a lot of leans or bumps.
Think dining rooms and living rooms. It also reflects a nice amount of light so you won’t be blinded by the shine and it won’t be completely flat!
Matte Paint Finish
Matte finish is towards the low-lustre end of the spectrum. It tends to soak up light rather than reflect it and is best used in areas of low traffic, like an adults bedroom.
The pigment in this finish turns out very rich, which makes it a great choice if you’re going for a dark or fun colour.
Matte walls look quite stunning if you’re going for that aethstetic, just make sure it’s in a room where the walls won’t get as dirty!
Images via Pinterest.
Flat Paint Finish
Lastly, we have Flat. Again, the name gives away a lot about this finish! Flat paint has very little shine and is great for really low traffic areas. Think ceilings!
Now that we understand what the heck all these paint finishes mean, selecting the right finish for your project is pretty easy!
It all comes down to where you are painting in your home, and what that space is used for. Think about if the walls are being touched often, if there is moisture in the space or if you tend to clean this room on the regular.
Once you’ve figured that out, you’re ready to select your colour palette and get to transforming. Check out our blog post on colour trends in 2022 for some inspo!
