New interior paint is a low-cost home renovation project that can transform any space. And the paint finish you select is as important as selecting the right color for your walls. But it can be pretty daunting to pick the best type of paint finish when you have lots of options available. And we’ve all been there; arriving at the paint shop as a king and acting like a legend once inside but we tremble and crumple as the person behind the desk inquires about the type of paint finish that we need. And this is where the problem lies. If you get the wrong one, you won’t be able to undo it. Yep, you will be pretty much stuck with it. That’s why it’s critical to carefully evaluate your options before committing to one. But don’t worry; we’ve simplified the process for you. With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to compare your options and select the paint sheen that best meets your requirements. Let’s begin..

What is Paint Finish and Why Does It Matter? 

In literal terms, the “appearance” of the paint once it dries is referred to as a finish. It indicates three things 

(1) the paint’s texture
(2) the gloss level in the formula, and
(3) the paint’s light reflectivity.

These paint finishes vary in appearance from being very glossy to a solid, more subdued appearance. Paints with a low gloss finish will cause the light to disperse, while paints with a glossy finish reflect light, giving the surface a brighter, more lively appearance. Paint finishes having low gloss levels are relatively harder to clean (although some premium paint finishes do offer easy-to-clean variants), while shinier paint finishes are more durable and easier to clean.

The final appearance and feel of the paint are significantly influenced by the finish you choose. Finishes help to make the paint look more attractive and unique, as well as make sure that paint lasts longer. Finishes provide a shield from outside elements by acting as a barrier for the layer underneath. So the color of your paint isn’t the only thing to consider. After you’ve decided on a color scheme for your painting job, you’ll need to figure out which finish is ideal for your project.

How Do You Choose a Paint Finish? 

When it comes to choosing between different paint finishes, always make your decision wisely. Don’t make the mistake of choosing the first paint finish you come across; instead, weigh your alternatives. 

When deciding on the type of finish to apply on your paint, a number of things must be considered, including: –

● Type of Surface
● Foot traffic in that place
● The proneness of surface to dirt and abrasion
● Usage frequency and patterns
● Humidity or moisture levels
● Paint Color

When choosing the finish, you must consider the type of surface it will be applied on. On some surfaces, in various hues, and in a specific light, some finishes perform better than others. The surfaces that are used more often than others tend to get dirty quickly. And since shinier finishes are easy to clean, such surfaces necessitate a higher gloss finish. Similarly, glossy paint finishes tend to function better in humid environments, which is why they are ideal for bathrooms. 

However, all that glitters is not gold. High gloss finishes are not for the imperfect surfaces because they tend to magnify even the tiniest bump and crack on them. So these finish types are not recommended for bedrooms and living rooms which have various wall artifacts like portraits, wall hangings, and wall mirrors. These types of surfaces require less glossy variations of paint finish. Another important factor to consider is the paint color. Depending on the finish, the same paint color might appear entirely different. So the finish must match the paint tone. The darker the color, the more it will shine. That’s the reason why most dark colors look great with a less glossy finish. Colors with a medium tone go well in medium gloss finishes while light colors are complimented well by the high gloss finish. 

Bonus Tip: Check out our guide detailing the best available options for wall decor.

Now that you know what a paint finish is and what factors to consider before picking one, let’s take a detailed look at a list of different types of paint finishes: –

Types of Paint Finishes

Based on reflectiveness, paint finishes have been classified into five main categories.

1. Matte
2. Eggshell
3. Satin
4. Semi-Gloss
5. High-Gloss

Now let’s take a look at what each type of paint finish has to offer.

1. Matte:

Matte is your go-to paint finish if you are looking to create a relaxing atmosphere in your home. They have a low level of shininess because of which this surface reflects relatively little, resulting in uniform distribution of light. So if you have decorated your room with wall hangings or paintings, using a matte paint finish will help in concealing nail holes, bumps, and other sorts of flaws on the surface. Matte has the highest coverage rate of all the paint finishes. So you won’t have to pay a king’s ransom because you’ll need fewer coats. 

However, this paint finish is extremely difficult to clean. If you try to clean it with a regular sponge or cloth, the sheen will become uneven and will give a worn-out look. So matte finish is probably not for you if you have a big family or have pets at home. This type of paint finish is best used in spaces with little traffic or on surfaces with little contact. 

Cost: A gallon of matte paint finish costs $25-$45 on average, depending on the brand.

Pros: Looks stylish and hides imperfection. Easy to touch up since new paint blends perfectly. Saves money in terms of labor and material costs since it requires fewer coats.

Cons: Difficult to clean. Might have to repaint if the surface gets chafed up. Not very durable 

Where Can It Be Used: Ideal for defective surfaces. Should be used in low-traffic areas like formal living rooms, dining rooms, ceilings. After you’ve finished giving these areas of your home an exquisite look with a matte paint finish, you can explore our finest collection of wall hangings to complete the design.

Pro-Tip: In order to clean the matte finish surface, first use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dust particles. After that, work from the bottom up with a slightly damp sponge since matte finishes are prone to smudging. Then soak up any excess water using a soft cloth.

2. Eggshell:

Matte or Eggshell? The second most asked question after “who came first”. As the name suggests, this finish gives a somewhat granular texture to the paint, comparable to that of an eggshell. As compared to matte, this style of paint finish is slightly more reflective although it is still classified as a low-gloss finish. It has a velvety appearance with only a smidgeon of sheen. The eggshell paint finish is more durable than matte and simpler to clean, but it still has an outstanding capability to conceal the imperfections on the surface.

Due to its ability to resist stains and fingerprints, the eggshell finish outperforms the matte finish but it still falls short of its counterparts. Since it finds a good mix between durability and cleaning ease, this type of paint finish can be used in moderate traffic areas of the house. However, they are still pretty much vulnerable to scuffs and bumps, so you’ve to be extra careful as it’s more difficult to touch up an eggshell finish than it is to touch up matte paint.

Cost: You can end up paying $26-$55 for a gallon of eggshell finish, depending on the brand.

Pros: Excellent ability to conceal the surface imperfections, easy to clean, 

Cons: Difficult to touch up. Lower durability when compared with gloss finishes. 

Where Can It Be Used: Ideal for moderate traffic areas. Commonly used in living rooms, family rooms, kids’ rooms, and hallways.

Pro-Tip: Touching up matte finishes is a nightmare but we have a trick up our sleeve. To begin, dampen the surface with a slightly wet cloth. Stir the paint thoroughly before applying it and use a brush instead of a roller and use gentle feather strokes.

Did You Know?: Artificial plants are proven to be effective in terms of enhancing mood and morale, according to studies. Browse through our amazing collection of artificial fiddle leaf plants to find the one that’s right for you.

3. Satin:

On both interior and outdoor surfaces, satin finishes are undoubtedly the most popular choice. It has a pearly shine and is more reflective than the eggshell paint finish. It serves to mask surface flaws to some extent while not being as glossy as a semi-gloss finish. Easy to clean and durable, they are mostly used in moderate to high traffic areas. It is also an obvious choice for kitchens owing to its ability to withstand dampness, moisture, mold, and gentle scrubbing. Satin paint finish can also withstand weathering and can be used on outdoor surfaces. 

However, it is not ideal for marred surfaces since it reflects more light, making even the tiniest flaws stand out more. And because of this very characteristic, any touch-ups will protrude. 

Cost: For a satin paint finish, the average cost is $26-$57 per gallon.

Pros: Doesn’t fade away easily due to heat, sun, or water. Easy to clean and can also endure gentle scrubbing 

Cons: Can’t be used on imperfect surfaces and touch-ups are pretty hard to pull off. 

Where Can It Be Used: Moderate to high traffic areas like corridors, family rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Pro-Tip:  Before painting, sand down the scuffed surface if you want a smooth satin finish on it. And if you have a glossy finish on the surface, remove it with gloss remover and rinse off any residue.

4. Semi-Gloss:

Semi-gloss gives the surface a smooth, glossy appearance. It reflects more than satin, but not as much as a high-gloss paint finish. Due to its ability to resist moisture and warn off mildew, this paint finish type is used in bathrooms. Semi-gloss finish is, in fact, the most moisture resistant of the bunch. It is easy to clean and can withstand scrubbing as well. Therefore, it is a popular choice for cabinets or any other woodwork in the kitchen where wiping and scrubbing off food splodge is frequent. 

Due to its greater reflectivity, however, this paint finish is ineffective in concealing the flaws of a blemished surface.

Cost: Average cost of a semi-gloss paint finish is $32-$60 per gallon.

Pros: Easy to clean and can also be scrubbed. Highly resistant to moisture and mold. Simple to touch up.

Cons: Highlights the bumps, cracks, or holes of an imperfect surface due to its hard glossy finish.

Where Can It Be Used: Kitchen, bathrooms, kids’ rooms, family rooms, and also on trims and panels.

Pro-Tip: Before you start applying this paint finish, mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of Trisodium Phosphate in hot water. Working from the bottom up, soak up a sponge into the solution and wash dust and grime off the wall.

5. High-Gloss:

High gloss produces a bright, gleaming, glass-like look due to its highest level of reflection among all the finishes. It is not to be used on walls since it brings out the imperfections on the surface. It’s most commonly used on doors, cabinets, window frames, and trims, as well as furniture because it is pretty easy to clean and maintain. However, if you don’t have any prior paint experience, applying this finish type can be a bit of a challenge. It’s better that you seek the help of a professional painter who is familiar with the preparations and application of this paint finish. 

Cost: Most expensive of them all, high-gloss paint finish costs $35-$70 per gallon. The price for some high-end brands can go up to $120 per gallon. 

Pros: Brings out the best in surfaces and adds liveliness. Fights against humidity and mold. Easy to clean. 

Cons: Requires diligence and proper preparation of the surface before it can be applied. Pricey since it requires additional coats and time. 

Where Can It Be Used: Window frames, trims, doors, cabinets, and even in bathrooms.

Pro-Tip: You must thoroughly sand the surface with medium-grit sandpaper to smoothen it. Once done, apply a primer. Wait for it to dry and then sand again. Apply the second layer of primer and your surface is ready for the finish paint. 

We hope that this guide has answered the majority of your queries about different paint finishes. The goal of this review was to make it easy for you to make the right decision and select the best paint finish for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions: – 

1. What paint finish do designers use?

Almost every designer uses an eggshell paint finish due to its soft sheen and its ability to adapt to bright or dim light. Colors, lighting, and materials for interior decoration, among other things, are used by interior designers to make interior spaces beautiful and eggshell is a paint finish that goes with everything, making it a designer’s favorite. 

2. Should ceiling paint be flat or eggshell?

The eggshell finish should be used for “flat or smooth ceilings” which adds a glossy sheen to the surface. If your ceilings are textured, using a matte finish will be more appropriate.

3. Which is better, matte or glossy paint?

Glossy paints are ideal for high-traffic areas of the house like bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms since they repel moisture and are easy to clean. Whereas matte paint finish should be used in areas like bedrooms, formal dining rooms, and ceilings due to its luxury texture.

4. What sheen of paint is easiest to touch up?

Matte paint is easy to touch up since the new paint blends in perfectly due to its higher coverage rate and low gloss levels. Applying a small coating over worn areas will work if you ever need a quick fix.

5. What is a good paint finish?

Rooms should have matte and eggshell whereas satin and semi-gloss are recommended for bathrooms and kitchens. For window frames, doors and trims, high-gloss is the best option.