Choosing paint for your home goes beyond picking the perfect colour; the finish matters too. It can change how a colour looks on your walls, how it feels in the room – even how practical it is for your lifestyle. From matte to glossy, each finish offers something different. Knowing which to use can make all the difference
We’ve broken down the different types of paint finishes, what they’re best suited for, and how they can make a real difference in your home. Understanding these options will help you pick the perfect finish for each room. So your walls look just the way you want them to.
Flat Finish
Flat finishes excel at hiding imperfections, thanks to their high pigment content and non-reflective surface. They’re perfect for low-traffic areas like offices or formal living rooms. However, they’re harder to clean, making them less suitable for spaces with high activity.
Eggshell Finish
Eggshell is one of the most popular paint finishes for a reason. It offers a perfect balance – it’s subtle with a slight sheen, making it ideal for high-use areas like living rooms and bedrooms. It’s easier to clean than flat paint and can handle more traffic, without showing as many imperfections.
Satin Finish
Satin finishes bring durability to the table. They’re a great option if you need something that can stand up to a bit more wear and tear. Smooth with a slight sheen they do a decent job at hiding imperfections.
They’re also easy to clean, which makes them perfect for spaces that get a lot of moisture or are prone to dirt, like bathrooms or basements. If you have a room that’s darker or doesn’t get much natural light, a satin finish can help reflect a bit more light into the space, making it feel brighter.
Semi-Gloss Finish
Semi-gloss is where we start seeing a bit more shine. It’s durable. It’s sleek. It can stand up to the rigours of frequently used areas. Semi-gloss is a good option for kitchens and bathrooms, where durability and moisture resistance are key. It’s also a popular choice for trims, crown mouldings, and doors.
The added shine will highlight architectural details and make them pop. Keep in mind, though, that the higher the gloss, the more noticeable any wall imperfections will be. So, if your walls are perfectly smooth, this finish can give them a crisp, polished look.
High Gloss Finish
High gloss is the boldest finish, with a distinctly reflective surface, making it great for accents like cabinets or doors. While high gloss is great for accents, it’s not typically used for entire walls, as it shows imperfections easily, and the potency of its shine can become overwhelming. It’s also a bit trickier to work with, so using a high-density foam roller is recommended to get the best results.
Finding Your Finishing Touch
Choosing the right paint finish can transform your home. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or doing an entire home makeover, choosing the right one can make all the difference. Not just in appearance, but in how well your walls hold up over time.
