Paint Sheen Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Choose the Right Sheen
Looking for info on how to choose the right paint sheen for your painting project? Today I’m breaking down all of the paint sheens and offering a little paint sheen chart to help you choose with confidence.
Buying paint can be tricky. There are so many decisions to make. What brand will you use? What color will you go with? How much do you need? And then, just when you have it all figured out and you’re ready to go, they’ll throw you a curveball – what paint sheen would you like?
This is a question that stumps a lot of people. There are a lot of outdated ideas that people have about paint sheens, and it can be an overwhelming decision. But, it’s also an important decision. Paint sheens affect a lot – how durable the paint will be, how reflective it is, and they can even affect how the paint color looks.
I’m going to demystify aaaaaall of the paint sheen info for you here. By the time we’re done, you’ll be a pro and the next time someone asks you what paint sheen you want to use for your walls, you’ll have an answer ready to go!
What Is Paint Sheen?
Let’s start with the obvious – what even is a paint sheen? Simply put, the sheen of paint refers to how glossy the paint is. Higher gloss paints have more resin in them and reflect more light. Lower gloss paints have less resin and reflect less light.
In general higher gloss paint finishes are known for being more durable, easier to clean, and wipeable. In the past, it would often be recommended to use a satin or even semi-gloss in bathrooms and kitchens because they can stand up to wear and tear better. However, paint technology has come a long way and that’s not always necessary anymore. You can choose the paint sheen you like best for any space, and as long as you’re using a high-quality paint, you’ll be perfectly fine! Even if you have kids who are sure to leave a giant mess on your walls. Promise!
Paint Sheens
Generally speaking, the paint sheens are as follows:
- Flat
- Matte
- Eggshell
- Satin
- Semi-Gloss
- High Gloss
Here’s a little paint sheen chart I put together for you to simplify it.
Paint Sheen Chart
Now, let’s break them down in a little more detail!
Flat Paint
Flat paint is paint that has 0-3% reflectivity – meaning, it doesn’t reflect light at all. The benefit of this is that flat paint can hide a ton of surface imperfections or texture in your walls. It can also have a velvety texture, especially if you’re using a high-quality paint!
If you’re painting a ceiling, flat paint will be your best friend. It’s almost always used on ceilings, thanks to its ability to hide flaws. However (especially with cheaper paints) it can be hard to clean it without removing some of the paint right along with the dirt and grime. Flat sheens are best saved for low-traffic areas, if you’re going to use them on the walls.
- Pros: Hides imperfections, beautiful texture and finish
- Cons: Least durable option, shows every scuff or mark
Matte Paint
Matte paint is one step up from flat. It has 3-10% reflectivity, so it has a veeeeery slight sheen but still does a great job at hiding imperfections.
Because we have textured walls throughout our house, matte paint is usually my go-to. I love that it really neutralizes the look of the texture on our drywall, and the rich, velvet-like texture of it makes me really happy.
Bed | Rug | Similar Mirrors | Curtains | Art | Paint Color: Ink Black by Behr in Matte
- Pros: Rich, velvety texture, colors show up beautifully. Hides imperfections well.
- Cons: Less durable than other options.
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell paint is easily the most common paint sheen for interior walls. It has a reflection score of 10-25%, and it’s a really great choice for just about any space. Eggshell finishes will have a bit more of a sheen than flat or matte does, but it’s still very subtle. Think the sheen you see on the shell of an egg – that’s what’s it’s named after! If we had smooth walls in our home, eggshell is absolutely the paint sheen I would choose to use.
What rooms should you use eggshell paint in them? All of ’em! Eggshell paint is great for dining rooms, living rooms, hallways, family rooms, entryways, and more. It’s a great “one size fits all” paint sheen when it comes to wall paint, if you want to keep things simple.
- Pros: Durable finish, subtle sheen.
- Cons: The finish/pigmentation isn’t as rich as matte or flat paint.
Satin Paint
Satin paint has a reflectivity of 25-35%, which is a medium amount of shine. It’s great if you want some shine, but don’t want it to be too noticeable. Satin trim is a great choice for walls that have trim or paneled walls if you want them to stand out a bit. It’s also a good option for cabinetry and trim if you want a less glossy look! It’s also a great go-to for rooms with a lot of moisture like the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry rooms.
- Pros: Very easily to clean, and durable. A more unique choice for walls with paneling!
- Cons: Doesn’t hide imperfections in the wall at all.
Semi-Gloss Paint
With semi-gloss paint, you’ll definitely notice a solid sheen to the paint. It has a reflectivity score of 35-60% and is what I generally recommend for baseboards, crown molding, doors, and other trim. It’s also great for cabinetry!
Semi-gloss paint is really wipeable and durable, and the glossy finish is great for trim, stair rails, and that sort of thing.
- Pros: Extremely durable and easy to clean.
- Cons: Highlights imperfections!
High-gloss Paint
And finally, high gloss, which has a reflection score of 60+%. Generally speaking, high gloss paint should be saved for super smooth finishes (like furniture) where you really want to make a statement. It’s not used all that often, and has a lacquer-like finish that can be really hard to work with.
- Pros: A really bold and unique look with a mirror-like finish.
- Cons: Can show every brush stroke and imperfection. Very hard to work with.
Paint Sheen FAQs
Sofa | Leather chair | Rug | Coffee table | Basket | Art ledge | Paint Color: First Star by Sherwin Williams in Flat
Is Eggshell or Satin Better for Walls?
First of all, let’s acknowledge that there’s no right or wrong answer here. Choosing a paint sheen is a personal preference, and what you like is all that matters!
That being said, my personal recommendation would be to go with eggshell over satin when painting interior walls. The main argument for a glosser finish on walls is durability, especially in high-traffic areas. But, when you’re working with a quality paint brand (which you should always be doing!), it really isn’t a factor. My matte walls are perfectly wipeable and I can scrub them without issue. So, a satin finish isn’t necessarily better just because it’s more durable.
Which Paint Sheen is the Most Durable?
Speaking of durability, lots of people want to know what’s the most durable. Well, as we discussed before, higher gloss paints are more durable. So technically, a high gloss paint would be the most durable when it comes to wipe-ability and removing stains. That, of course, doesn’t mean it’s the right answer for every project though. Take all the factors into consideration when you’re choosing your paint sheen!
Also, keep in mind that “durability” doesn’t mean the same thing it used to. With today’s paint technology, even a flat paint is going to be far more durable than it was in the past. My biggest tip is to always spring for the high-quality paint lines. If you choose the cheapest option of any brand, you’re bound to be disappointed no matter what sheen you choose.
What About Exterior Spaces?
The same rules for interior paints apply when choosing paint for exterior spaces too! Eggshell is a good choice for things like siding, and a semi-gloss sheen is a great, washable choice for things like woodwork, trim, and exterior doors. Personally, for brick or masonry I love the way a low-sheen paint looks – a matte finish on some brick just makes my heart happy!
Can You Use Different Sheens Throughout Your House?
Absolutely! Have fun, play around, and do what you love. There are no rules here, I promise.
through my own fault I ended up with 2 different sheens of the same paint in the same room on opposite walls. I went with it because they were literally opposite walls. I had a Flat sheen on one wall and satin on the other. The color was the same, but the reflection of the light on the satin wall, versus the way the wall seemed to absorb the light on the other wall. When using a darker color, it was a noticeable difference to my eyes. And I very much preferred the flat. On a darker color, I think he flat sheens give it so much more depth. I’m not sure I’ve noticed a difference on a lighter or more neutral color
Oh that’s interesting that you got to see such a great real-life example!