Introduction

Here, you have some of the aspects that can assist you in deciding on the most appropriate interior paint finish for your project. The finish determines if the paint will be washable, how long lasting it will be and how reflective it will be. According to the function of the room, traffic, lighting, and desired look, it is possible to eliminate the proper gloss levels of the paint. This article is a guide to the various interior paint finishes and tips on how to choose the right finish for a specific room.

Those elements that determine the choice of paint finish include the following:

Room Purpose and Traffic

Consider the purpose of a specific room and the frequency of its use. It is also essential to understand that areas like hallway and family room are more prone to traffic and hence need a complex wearing type of finish unlike other regions. Therefore, while the areas of high traffic will need highly resistant and easy to clean finishes, the guest bedrooms for instance will do with less.

Lighting Conditions

The amount of natural and artificial light determines the reflectivity of a paint finish. Gloss finishes make the surfaces appear brighter while satin, eggshell or matte finish reduces glare because they hold little or no lights at all.

Desired Aesthetic

The desired look defines what finish is applicable. Matte or eggshell is not as shiny as the traditional sheen, but the semi-gloss and high-gloss are contemporary and chic.

Common Interior Paint Finishes

Matte

Matte finishes are low-gloss and have a more subdued appearance; they do not reflect any light. These are good for hiding and are very hard wearing for parts of the floor that receive more traffic. Matte is the least shiny among all the finishes since it is most effective in concealing imperfections on the surface. It is advised to be used in areas that do not come into contact with water such as halls, doors, walls, ceilings, children’s room and dining room but not in the kitchen or bathroom because its surface is hard to clean.

Flat

Like matte, flat finishes do not reflect any light and, hence, absorb it completely. It gives a more uniform appearance than matte because it does not contain silica additives for durability and concealment. Very good at concealing imperfections, flat finishes quickly get noticeable marks and stains and are better suited for adult bedrooms and formal dining spaces.

Eggshell

Eggshell finishes are slightly more reflective than matte or flat ones, and they have a slight sheen that can be described as velvety. The subtle shine beautifies decorative moulding and makes eggshell ideal for the living room, bedroom, and entry. It also holds the characteristic of easy cleaning and can take light impact like scraping in less busy zones.

Satin

Satin has a low sheen and is slightly richer in appearance than eggshell or flat but with the added sheen of pearl. It conceals surface imperfections reasonably well and its low sheen makes it boost color intensity and vibrancy. Satin is easy to clean and relatively resistant to wear and tear; it is best suited for use in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and hallways.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss has higher reflectivity than low lustre and medium lustre; an object with semi-gloss appears shiny and draws attention to structures in buildings. Due to its high durability and its easy-to-clean ability, it works well in children’s bedrooms, recreation spaces, bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry spaces. Semi-gloss is also perfect for trim, doors, and accent walls because it gives a more daring sheen.

Gloss

The highest degree of sheen is gloss, which creates a glass like surface and is often used as decorative layer which reflects light. Gloss finish gives the highest level of reflection, therefore enhancing brightness of colors, but it requires a perfect surface, free of any bumps. Its high durability and stain resistance makes it ideal for places such as kitchens and bathrooms as well as doors, trims and cabinets.

Selecting Interior Paints: The Next Step

Living Spaces

Eggshell and satin finishes are ideal for your living room, dining room, and den. Their glimmers do not overpower the eye while introducing an added dimension. When selecting paint finish, ensure that molding and trim use semi-gloss paint to make the architect’s features stand out.

Bedrooms

Symmetrical home, therefore, requires flat, eggshell or matte paint finish on bedroom walls and ceilings. These simple finishes make the rooms look calm and relaxing. Employ gloss or semi-gloss paint on the accent walls or any embellishments such as trims.

Bathrooms and Kitchens

Semi-gloss is the recommended finish for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and mud rooms because they are able to stand up to the battle of moisture, condensation, constant cleaning, and everyday traffic. One can use it throughout the house or only on trims in combination with matte or eggshell walls.

Kids’ Rooms and Playrooms

Childhood activity spaces require a hard wearing semi-gloss finish for a clean, bright appearance. You can apply it on all the walls, doors, trims, molding or accent walls to complement a matte or eggshell main wall shade.

Hallways

Matt or eggshell are ideal for hallway paint, especially the areas that receive a high amount of traffic. They are slightly glossy and can mask abrasions and imperfections while making walls disappear into thin air. Pencil in trim in a semi-gloss to stand out against a muted wall shade.

Doors and Trim

Paint all door and trim areas with a high-gloss or semi-gloss finish to attract the eye and work well in areas that are touched frequently or need cleaning. Match glossy trims with matte, flat or eggshell walls.

Conclusion

When there are numerous choices that may be available in the market, it might be challenging to choose the right interior paint finish. But, if you consider what a room is used for, how many people pass through the space and the aesthetic vision, finding the right finish is not as difficult. Combining high-gloss trims with low-impact wall paints or using the same semi-gloss in modern kitchen and bathroom settings blends well with each area. Think about how various paint sheen can effectively address the functional requirements when satisfying the visual requirements.