Design Guide: Choosing the Right Paint Finish

I hope everyone had a great 4th. Today I’m sharing my latest design guide focusing on paint finishes.

When it comes to painting any room in your home, picking a paint color is just half the battle. The bigger challenge for many people is what paint finish to use.

The first consideration when contemplating finishes is how the room will be used by you and your family. And then deciding what type of look you want the room to have.

Just like design trends, paint finishes are also susceptible to trends. High gloss finishes are a popular look right now but classic finishes like satin and eggshell remain the most widely used paint finish in home décor.

Here’s what you need to know to pick the right finishes for your home.

Design Guide To Selecting The Right Paint Finish

Flat & Matte Finish

Flat paint finishes are available only in latex paint have a low-sheen, non-reflective surface which is great for low traffic areas, ceiling and some interior walls. This finish will provide the lowest level of sheen and is ideal for rooms that don’t require frequent washing or cleaning. Use flat finishes on older wall surfaces that may have minor flaws because the finish will not bring attention to those areas. If you ever have to wash or scrub a flat paint finish, you’ll probably remove some of the paint requiring a paint touch-up.

Flat and matte finishes are an ideal choice for the dining room, living room, powder room, guest bedroom and closets.

the image above uses a flat fnish on the walls and satin trim

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Satin and Eggshell Finish

The velvety, pearl-like appearance of satin and eggshell finishes are easier to maintain than a flat finish and perfect for high-traffic are like hallways, living rooms and bathrooms. A satin and eggshell finish is your best choice fo kitchen and bathrooms where there is some exposure to moisture. It is easy to clean a painted surface with a satin finish without fear of removing paint and destroying the wall surface.

Semi-Gloss Finish

A semi-gloss paint finish is sleek and radiant along with being highly durable, easy to wash and scrubbable. Semi-gloss finishes are ideal for high-moisture areas, trim, windows, woodwork and cabinetry. This is the paint finish I recommend for built-in bookcase wall units as well.

Gloss Finish

A few other things to keep in mind when selecting paint for your home:

always get a mildew-resistant paint formula to use in bathrooms and laundry rooms
the higher the sheen, the darker and more intense the color will be
high-gloss finishes reflect light and make imperfections more noticeable
if you desire a lacquered look, go with a high-gloss finish or buy paint specifically formulated with a lacquered finish
tone-on-tone striped wall designs are achieved by alternating between gloss and flat finishes
most finishes are available in latex and oil-based paints but latex is easier to apply than oil-based
buy supplies that are made to work with the finish you select. Oil-based and gloss finishes typically require specific brushes, rollers and tools