When it comes to painting your home, choosing color is only half the story. Finish (aka “sheen”) determines how paint looks in your light, how it handles fingerprints, and how much it highlights or hides the character of your walls.
We’re sharing everything you need to know about paint finishes, so you can match the right finish to each space without sacrificing style. Now let’s dive in.
What Finish is Best for Each Room?
If you want the quick guide, we’re here to share it. When it comes to rooms and surfaces in your home, here are the finishes you generally want to choose for each:
- Bedrooms and formal dining: Matte or eggshell
- Living and family rooms: Eggshell or satin
- Kitchens (walls): Satin or semi-gloss
- Bathrooms and laundry room: Satin or semi-gloss (or a specialty matte formulated for humidity)
- Kids’ rooms, hallways, and mudrooms: Satin
- Ceilings: Flat/matte
- Trim, doors, and built-ins: Semi-gloss or high gloss
Higher sheen = more light reflection and easier wipe-downs
Lower sheen = softer look and better camouflage for surface imperfections
Understanding Sheen
Now we’ve given you the general guide to follow. What do each of those mean in terms of sheen?
- Low sheen (flat/matte): Soft, elegant, hides texture and patching; least reflective.
- Mid sheen (eggshell/satin): A subtle glow with better stain resistance and washability.
- High sheen (semi-gloss/high gloss): Crisp, reflective, highly cleanable; shows prep work.
How sheen is measured
Manufacturers measure gloss with instruments at set angles (commonly 20°, 60°, and 85°). The 60° geometry covers most situations; 20° is used for higher-gloss, and 85° for low-gloss materials. That’s why one brand’s “low-lustre” can act like another’s “eggshell.” We always recommend focusing on performance in your space, not just the label alone.
Paint Finish Comparison Guide
Flat / Matte
Velvety and design-forward, flat/matte delivers a sophisticated, non-glare look that beautifully disguises patching and texture. It excels in low-traffic, low-moisture rooms—think primary bedrooms, formal dining rooms, and ceilings. Because standard matte paints are the least wipeable, plan on gentle maintenance: touch-ups blend well, but aggressive scrubbing can burnish (create shiny spots), so use mild cleaners and a light hand.
Eggshell
Eggshell’s soft glow is the decorator’s default for main living areas. It works almost anywhere, such as in living rooms, home offices, and guest rooms, offering more durability than matte while remaining more forgiving than satin. Good prep still matters for a seamless result, and while it releases stains better than matte, avoid over-scrubbing the same spot to prevent subtle gloss changes.
Satin
Satin brings a low-lustre sheen with real-world durability, ideal for spaces that need regular wipe-downs. Hallways, kids’ rooms, family rooms, and kitchen walls benefit from its washable, family-friendly finish. It can highlight roller marks if the prep or technique isn’t clean, so cut in carefully, keep a wet edge, and remember that repeated heavy scrubbing can raise the sheen in isolated areas.
Semi-Gloss
Noticeably shiny and architectural, semi-gloss is built for high-use, high-moisture, or mess-prone zones. Kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, and all things millwork—trim, doors, and built-ins—stay crisp and wipeable with this finish. The trade-off is transparency: substrate flaws, lap marks, and texture telegraph more at this sheen, so meticulous sanding and priming are non-negotiable.
High Gloss
High gloss is mirror-like and dramatic, the choice when you want millwork to read like jewelry. Use it for statement doors, banisters, select cabinetry, and specialty built-ins where a luxurious, light-reflecting finish will truly shine. It’s extremely easy to clean, but it demands near-flawless prep; any ripple or inconsistency will show.
Your Sheen Guide Dictionary
Sheen names don’t always match from brand to brand, but the behavior does: how much light a surface reflects and how easily it wipes clean. Use this quick cross-reference to translate labels across lines before sampling a room.
- Flat/matte = lowest gloss
- Eggshell/low-lustre/velvet = soft glow
- Satin/pearl = a notch shinier, more stain-resistant
- Semi-gloss to high gloss = crisp, most reflective
How to Choose the Right Finish by Room
So you’re ready to start painting, but you’re not sure which sheen to choose. Depending on the room you plan to paint, here are some good rules to follow when it comes to sheen.
Bedrooms
- Primary and guest rooms: Matte or eggshell for a calming, elegant feel that hides minor wall texture.
- Nursery or kids’ rooms: Satin for washable walls that still read soft in natural light.
Living and Dining
- Living rooms: Eggshell or satin for a refined glow that withstands everyday wear and tear.
- Formal dining: Matte or eggshell; go richer in color for depth without glare.
Kitchens
- Walls: Satin or semi-gloss for easy wipe-downs near prep zones and switch plates.
- Ceilings: Flat/matte to minimize glare from recessed lighting.
Bathrooms and Laundry
- Standard choice: Satin or semi-gloss for moisture and routine cleaning.
- Design-first option: Matte—luxe, low-glare look engineered for humidity.
High-Touch Areas
- Hallways, mudrooms, and stairwells: Satin for scuffs, handprints, and backpacks.
- Trim, doors, and built-ins: Semi-gloss or high gloss for crisp profiles and durability.
Ceilings
- Flat/Matte almost always wins for a seamless, non-distracting plane that lets the architecture shine.
Designer Notes That Make a Big Difference
Light and color
Sheen changes how color behaves. Dark hues read deeper and more velvety in lower sheens; bright whites feel crisper as sheen rises. In rooms with strong daylight or lots of recessed lighting, higher sheens bounce more light and feel livelier. In softly lit spaces, matte and eggshell keep glare down and create a calm, gallery-like look.
Prep is the finish
The glossier you go, the more every joint, patch, and roller edge shows. Our process—skim/patch, sand, caulk, and prime—levels the surface, so the chosen sheen appears intentional and even, rather than “shiny but uneven.”
Test before you commit
Paint two-coat sample boards and move them around morning and evening to watch how the sheen plays with your light. Do a quick raking-light check with a flashlight to reveal texture that would telegraph under glossier finishes. After a sample is dry, try a gentle wipe with a damp microfiber; if you see a dull/shiny change you don’t love, step up one sheen for that room.
When to Break the “Rules”
Most rooms benefit from the standard playbook, but there are smart exceptions. In moody libraries or formal dining rooms, deep hues look richer, and wall texture recedes when you use matte or eggshell. For statement doors and railings, high gloss turns millwork into jewelry (prep like a car finish for that glassy result). And in busy households with dark walls or high-touch areas, step up to satin to minimize visible burnishing while keeping maintenance simple.
Other Common Questions About Sheen
Can I really use matte in a bathroom?
Yes, if you choose a humidity-ready formula. Otherwise, we recommend a satin or semi-gloss.
What finish hides wall imperfections best?
Flat or matte. It diffuses light and camouflages texture or patching better than higher sheens. For high-traffic areas, consider eggshell for a little more durability.
What about trim and cabinets?
Semi-gloss or high gloss reads tailored and cleans easily. Use cabinetry/trim enamels for the smoothest, hardest finish.
Ready to dial in both color and sheen?
Paint should elevate how your home feels day to day. Our craftsmen help you choose finishes that complement your architecture, lighting, and lifestyle, and then prepare surfaces so those finishes look extraordinary.
Tell us about your project, and we’ll guide you through choosing the perfect finish for each room.