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Choose The Right Paint Finish For Your Home



Paint finish, also known as paint sheen, is a term that describes the level of light reflection exhibited by a painted surface once the paint has dried. Fundamentally, it establishes in what manner “shiny or matte” the paint appears. Sheens creates a luminous finish that highlights the architectural details. In the world of color, there’s a simple rule to remember: “The higher the sheen, the more shine the paint will have.”
The choice of paint finish is crucial because it not only affects the final appearance of the color but also impacts the durability of the painted surface and its ease of cleaning. Similarly, while painting your home, the selected paint finish can substantially impact a space’s functionality and aesthetics. From the soft elegance of matte to the sleek durability of semi-gloss, each finish serves a purpose.
Today, this inclusive blog will walk you through the various paint finishes to assist you in making an informed decision. This guide includes five paint finishes and reasons for selecting the most appropriate finish for your home spaces. Obviously, expert tips on selecting the perfect finish are also included in this blog post.
UNDERSTANDING PAINT FINISHES
Selecting the correct color palette for your home is challenging, but selecting the right paint finish is much more difficult. Once you’ve decided on a theme for your home and the colors for each room, you must choose between various types of wall paint. The most common error that most people make at this point is selecting the same paint finish for the entire house. This might be bad because you’ll have to spend extra money to fix it later.
The truth is, depending on the usage and application, each paint finish has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. As a result, before making any selections, you should become acquainted with the many types of paint finishes.
We are introducing five types of paint finishes to make a perfect selection for your home. Before we delve into the details of each type of paint finish, just look at the following chart to understand the type of finish:
Simply said, high gloss and flat finish are at opposite ends of the spectrum, with high gloss being the shiniest and flattest paint having no sheen at all. Semi-gloss, satin, eggshell and matte are the other paint finishes that fall somewhere in the center.
1- High Gloss Finish
Visual Aspect: High-gloss finish is the shiniest and most durable of all the paint finishes. It provides a reflective surface and gives mirror-like effect on surfaces. They are easy to clean and resistant to moisture and stains. This style of paint finish is not often used on a wide surface area.
Practical Aspect: High-gloss finish is commonly used on trim and accent pieces or furniture. It can be used sparingly to highlight architectural features or create a bold statement.
Tip: Always use smooth surfaces as it can highlight imperfections
2- Semi-Gloss Finish
Visual Aspect: Semi-gloss finish offers a higher sheen and is even more durable than satin finish. They provide a high level of sheen and make colors appear vibrant by giving a polished look to surfaces. It is often used on doors, trim, and furniture. Semi-gloss finish is moisture-resistant and easy to clean, making it a great choice for areas that require frequent cleaning.
Practical Aspect: Best suited for high-traffic, high-moisture areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and trim work. They are highly durable, easy to clean, and resist stains and moisture.
Tip: Reserve semi-gloss for surfaces that need to stand up to wear and tear.
3- Satin Finish
Visual Aspect: Satin finish is a versatile choice that can be used in just about any room of the house. It has a soft velvety sheen that is easy to clean and more durable than flat and eggshell finishes. They are a bit less durable than a gloss finish but will still stand up to everyday wear and tear, and routine cleanings.
Practical Aspect: Great for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and children’s bedrooms. They are durable, easy to clean, and offer a good compromise between matte and semi-gloss.
Tip: When utilizing a satin paint finish, your application technique is still very crucial because brush strokes might be highly visible. This also makes repainting and touch-ups more difficult, but if done properly, you won’t have to worry about anything.
4- Eggshell Finish
Visual Aspect: If the name itself wasn’t enough of a hint, the gloss of an eggshell paint finish is strikingly like that of a chicken egg. While not extremely dazzling, eggshell coatings offer a slight luster and a medium durability rating. Eggshell finish is slightly more lustrous than flat finish. It is easier to clean than a flat finish and offers a subtle sheen without being too shiny. However, it may not hide imperfections as well as flat finishes, so it’s important to properly prepare your walls before applying this finish.
Practical Aspect: Suitable for moderate-traffic areas such as dining rooms, hallways, and family rooms. They are easier to clean compared to matte finishes.
Tip: It is resistant to fingerprints making eggshell paint finishes perfect for higher traffic areas. Consider using eggshells in spaces where a touch of sophistication is desired.
5. Matte Finish
Visual Aspect: Matte finishes are known for their velvety, non-reflective appearance. They provide a smooth, subtle look that can make colors appear deeper and richer. It has a smooth and matte appearance and hides imperfections well. However, it is not the most durable and can be difficult to clean.
Practical Aspect: Matte finish is the most popular choice for ceilings and walls. It can also be considered for low-traffic areas like bedrooms and living rooms. They are great at concealing surface imperfections but can be less resistant to stains and scuffs.
Tip: If you have children or pets, you may want to consider a more durable finish. Opt for a washable matte finish for easier maintenance.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHILE CHOOSING THE RIGHT FINISH FOR EACH ROOM
When selecting the right paint finish, it is important to consider not only the room’s functionality but also the desired aesthetic. Now, as you have some idea about the types of paint finishes, Let’s take a closer look at few factors you need to keep in mind before selecting your paint finish:
Wall Texture
The sort of paint finish to use should be determined by the texture of the wall.
You can easily choose a glossy paint finish if your walls are flat and free of cracks or patches. However, if there are any noticeable flaws on the surface, a matte or flat finish is a far safer bet. That’s because sheening up the paint will just highlight the problems. Meanwhile, flatter paints will mask any and all texture flaws.
THE ROOM’S SIZE AND NATURAL LIGHT
You must also consider the size of the room as well as the amount of natural light it receives. Glossy paint finishes are more reflective, allowing sunlight to bounce around the space and make it appear larger. Flat finishes, on the other hand, are less reflective and provide the sense of receding walls.
THE APPLICATION
To pick the best paint finish for your home, consider how each space will be used. For example, the wall paint in your bathroom should be more water resistant than the one in your living room. Similarly, the paint finish in your children’s bedroom should be glossier than in your bedroom because wall paints with higher sheen are more durable and easier to clean.
Of course, you must be looking for more tips on things to consider before painting the home. We have detailed blog on this and here you go.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FINISH FOR EACH ROOM
Living Room and Hallways:
Appropriate Paint Finish: Satin or eggshell
For a warm, inviting atmosphere, consider an eggshell or satin finish. These provide a subtle sheen that complements both natural and artificial light.
If you have children, satin may be the ideal paint finish for your living room and hallways.
You can, on the other hand, use a low-sheen eggshell paint for your living room walls. It’s not as silky as satin, but it conceals tiny textural faults far better. Meanwhile, semi-gloss or satin paint finishes can be used on woodwork, trimmings, and doors.
DRAWING ROOM & DINING ROOM
Appropriate Paint Finish: Eggshell
Eggshell paints have a flat finish with a little shine, yet they are perfect for locations like dining rooms and drawing rooms. This finish effectively conceals imperfections and scratches on the wall and lasts longer than matte.
In addition, you can wipe dirt off the eggshell finish without affecting the color, making it the best sort of paint finish for an enclosed location where filthy hands and scruffs are less likely.
BEDROOM
Appropriate Paint Finish: Flat or matte for adults/satin for kids
A matte or eggshell finish creates a tranquil and cozy environment, perfect for relaxation. Bedrooms have less people visiting than other rooms in the house, so you may simply use flat or matte paint. Both paint finishes are water-based and have low reflectivity, making them ideal for the bedroom.
Flat and matte paints, on the other hand, are slightly less durable since they lack shine, making them more difficult to clean. If you have young children, a satin finish may be preferable. Because it has a luster and is considerably more durable, it is an ideal choice for children’s bedrooms because it is easy to clean.
On a side note, if you want to learn the psychology of colors, check out our detailed guide on the science of color psychology in home design.
BATHROOM
Appropriate Paint Finish: Semi-gloss
You can transform your bathroom into a spa with the correct color palette and paint finish.
Because bathrooms are moist, the optimum paint finish for this space must be water-resistant and simple to clean. However, you can only choose the best paint finish for bathrooms based on its intended use. Satin paints, for example, would be ideal for guest bathrooms because they withstand gentle scrubbing and are suited for high-moisture environments.
Meanwhile, semi-gloss paints should be considered for usage in bathrooms that are used regularly throughout the day. These paints are designed to be resistant to water, soap, and grime. Not to mention that they are easily cleaned.
KITCHEN
Appropriate Paint Finish: Semi-gloss or satin
When it comes to selecting the proper paint finish for your kitchen, there are a few factors to consider. To begin with, kitchens are frequently the busiest room in a home. Furthermore, because of the amount of cooking that occurs there, they are more prone to sticky fingers, grease marks, and other mishaps.
As a result, semi-gloss is the finest paint finish for the kitchen. If you find semi-gloss paint too shiny, paint the walls satin and use semi-gloss for kitchen cabinets, trims, and doors.
Both paint finishes are simple to clean because stains may be softly scrubbed or wiped away. Furthermore, they are long-lasting and resistant to mildew and grime.
Remember, it’s crucial to consider both the visual and practical aspects of each finish when making your decision. Additionally, always invest in high-quality paints and tools for the best results.
By understanding the characteristics of different paint finishes and how they interact with your living spaces, you can transform your home into a haven of comfort and style. Happy painting!