Picking The Perfect Paint Finish

Selecting paint colors gets all the attention, but choosing the right paint finish can be just as important and it is something that I get asked about a lot. The finish determines how the color reads in your space, how well the walls hold up to daily life, and the overall mood of the room. It can be the perfect complement to the textiles and finishes you already have, creating a cohesive and layered look. It can also become a bold statement on its own, adding shine, depth, or softness that transforms the room's atmosphere. A beautiful color can fall flat with the wrong sheen, while the right finish brings intention and polish to the design.

Why Your Paint Finish Really Matters

A paint finish shapes the look and feel of a room in ways that go beyond color. It also influences:

• Light reflection, which affects how bright or moody the room appears.

• Durability and cleanability, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and high-traffic areas.

• Surface texture and depth, helping a room feel soft, crisp, or dramatic.

• The visibility of smudges and imperfections, which can either be minimized or emphasized depending on the sheen.

Choosing the right finish brings intention to your walls, cabinetry, and trim. It guides the atmosphere of the room, complements your materials, and ensures the space not only looks elevated but also functions beautifully over time.

The Five Most Common Paint Finishes

1. Flat / Matte Finish

Typically used for: Bedrooms, Formal Living Rooms, and Ceilings.

Flat paint absorbs light, which softens the look of the room and hides imperfections. It has a velvety appearance that feels calm and cozy, though it's not the most wipeable, so it works best in low-traffic spaces. In general, unless it is on a ceiling, I typically avoid this finish. Because it absorbs the least amount of light, it also means that it tends to hide the most imperfections on the walls which is why contractors and builders almost always use this finish. The problem is, it can tend to scuff and doesn't tend to hold up well in high traffic areas or in home with children which is why I generally avoid it for the majority of the spaces I help clients with. Save it for ceilings.

2. Eggshell Finish

Typically used for: Family Rooms, Hallways, and Dining rooms.

Eggshell strikes the ideal balance between soft and durable. It has a gentle sheen that adds dimension without feeling shiny. This finish is a go-to for most homes because it handles daily wear while still looking elegant. I always tell my clients that it offers you some "wipe-ability" when scuffs and mishaps happen on the walls.

3. Satin Finish

Typically used for: Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Children's Rooms.

Satin is more durable and easier to clean than eggshell, making it ideal for moisture-prone or high-touch areas. It reflects a bit more light, which helps brighten utility spaces while still maintaining a refined look.

4. Semi-Gloss Finish

Typically used for: Trim, Doors, and Cabinetry.

Semi-gloss is hardworking, crisp, and polished. It highlights architectural details and withstands frequent cleaning. Using it on trim creates a beautiful contrast against walls painted in a matte or eggshell finish and it is almost always my go to for trim and cabinetry paint finish.

5. High-Gloss Finish

Typically used for: Statement Moments.

High gloss is glamorous and reflective. It transforms walls, cabinetry, or ceilings into lacquer-like surfaces that catch the eye. This finish requires prep work because it shows imperfections, but when done well, it is stunning.

How to Pair Finishes for a Cohesive Look

• Keep wall finishes soft and subtle.

Flat, eggshell, and satin are the most versatile choices because they create a gentle backdrop that lets your furniture, textiles, and artwork stand out.

• Use a consistent trim sheen throughout your home.

Matching the finish on baseboards, doors, and casings creates visual flow and helps the architecture feel intentional rather than pieced together.

• Brighten low-light spaces with a slightly higher sheen.

In rooms with minimal natural light, finishes like satin or semi-gloss reflect more light and keep the space from feeling flat.

• Choose matte finishes for moody, saturated colors.

Deep tones look richer and more elegant with a matte surface because the lack of shine keeps the color feeling velvety and dimensional.

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