What Sheen Should I Choose?
Choosing the right sheen for your project is like choosing the toppings for your ice cream. You’ve picked your favorite flavors and then they ask if you want sprinkles, fudge or a cherry on top. This extra decision can catch you off guard, just like the often overlooked choice of finish after you’ve picked your colors.
You’ve spent hours picking the perfect colors: Ocean Breeze for the walls and White Whisper for the trim. Then comes the big question: “What finish would you like?” The sheen you choose will affect both the look and durability of your paint job. It’s like choosing the right outfit for the occasion—style and function must go together.
Let’s break down the different paint finishes and compare them to everyday choices to help you decide:
Flat (Matte) Finish: The Cozy Sweatshirt
Your favorite sweatshirt is soft, cozy and great at hiding flaws. Flat paint is the same in the paint world. It has a non-reflective finish that diffuses light, perfect for ceilings and low-traffic areas where a smooth, uniform look is desired. Flat paint is great at hiding surface imperfections but not as durable or washable as other finishes so best kept to areas where it won’t get dirty or fingerprints.
Eggshell Finish: The Reliable Jeans
Eggshell finish is like that reliable pair of jeans that can be dressed up or down. It has a slight sheen that adds warmth and sophistication to your walls without being too shiny. More durable and easier to clean than flat paint, it’s perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and dining areas. It’s the perfect balance of style and function, giving your spaces a warm glow and easy to maintain.
Satin Finish: The Versatile Windbreaker
Satin finish is like your go-to windbreaker—versatile, durable and always looks good. It has a smooth, velvety texture with a slight sheen, looks classy and functional. It’s perfect for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and kids’ rooms. Resists moisture, stands up to scrubbing and great for walls, doors and trim. Satin finish is the workhorse of paint sheens, combines style with substance.
Semi-Gloss Finish: The Polished Dress Shoes
Semi-gloss finish is like a pair of polished dress shoes—sleek, eye catching and durable. This sheen reflects more light, gives surfaces a noticeable shine that can highlight architectural details. Semi-gloss is perfect for trim, baseboards, doors and cabinets. Also great for areas that need frequent cleaning like kitchens and bathrooms. But be aware it will highlight imperfections so surface preparation is key.
Gloss Finish: The Shiny Sports Car
Gloss finish is like a shiny sports car—bold, reflective and attention grabbing. It’s the highest sheen level, gives a mirror like finish. Perfect for highlighting trim, furniture and cabinetry. Gloss paint is very durable and easy to clean, great for high wear areas. But because of its reflective nature it will highlight surface imperfections so surface preparation is key for a flawless look.
What to Consider When Choosing a Sheen
Now that we’ve gone over the different types of paint finishes, let’s talk about what to consider when choosing the right sheen for your project:
Surface Imperfections:
Flatter finishes like matte or eggshell hide imperfections on walls, shinier finishes like satin, semi-gloss and gloss will highlight them.
Durability:
High traffic areas and surfaces exposed to moisture need more durable finishes like satin, semi-gloss or gloss.
Style:
What look do you want to achieve? Flatter finishes are more subtle and elegant, shinier finishes are more vibrant and polished.
Ease of Cleaning:
If you need a surface that can be cleaned often, go for satin, semi-gloss or gloss. These finishes are easier to wipe down.
Room Use:
Think about the room. High moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens need finishes that resist moisture and mildew, like semi-gloss and gloss.
Get the Most Out of Your Paint
To get the best out of your paint job:
Consult with Pros
Get advice from a professional painting contractor like Brooklyn’s Best Handyman & Construction and we can help you make the right decision for your specific situation. We offer free estimates and color consultations for Brooklyn customers so you can choose the right products and finishes for your project.
Use Quality Products
Investing in high quality paints and materials like Sherwin Williams will pay off in the long run. Premium paints give better coverage, durability and a better finish. Talk to your contractor to make sure you’re getting the best products for your buck.
Surface Prep
Proper surface prep is key to a professional finish. This means cleaning, sanding and priming the surfaces before painting. Proper prep work means better adhesion and longer lasting paint job.
Consider the Environment
Eco-friendly, low-VOC paints can improve indoor air quality and reduce environmental impact. They’re just as effective as traditional paints and safer for your home and the planet.
Test Before You Commit
If you’re not sure about a sheen or color, ask your contractor to apply samples on a small area of your wall. Look at it in different lighting and you’ll make a better decision.
Conclusion
Choosing the right sheen is important for both style and function of your space. By knowing the finishes and considering surface imperfections, durability, ease of cleaning and room use, you can make a good decision that will make your home look and work better.