How to Choose the Best Interior Paint Sheen for Your Home
February 24, 2025
Choosing the best paint sheen for your space is just as important as choosing the right color. Paint sheen refers to how much light a paint reflects or how glossy it is. In other words, how shiny it is. Similar to picking your favorite color concepts, paint sheen comes with its subjectivity and personal preference. I guide my customers through paint sheen selection by balancing personal preference and the functionality of each room of the home. I will provide a description of each paint sheen by offering detailed explanations and visuals.
Special note: I’ll be using the words ‘sheen’ and ‘finish’ synonymously. They mean the same thing and if you are in your local paint store the associates might use those interchangeably as well.
Video summary of the differnces between interior paint sheens
The most common paint sheens that you will encounter are: Flat, Matte, Eg-Shel, Satin, and Semi-gloss. High gloss is also a sheen type, but it is honestly becoming very rare in modern interior paint trends. You’ve probably heard of some of these before, but my goal is to expand your understanding and provide you with my insights as a residential painter in Steamboat.
Bedroom with a flat finish on the ceiling, notice the lack of reflection from the ceiling.
Flat:
The least shiny option, the most dull. The flat paint sheen is ideal for low traffic and low humidity areas of your home. One of the benefits of flat paint is that it touches up well, can hide minor surface imperfections and (depending on the quality of paint) covers nicely.
Areas suitable for a flat finish:
-Master Bedroom
-Ceilings - the most common area for a flat sheen
-Walls in low traffic rooms
-Home theatre rooms
Matte:
Slightly shinier than flat, matte offers a low lustre option that attracts some light to the surface. The matte sheen is also a great option for covering minor surface imperfections and it touches up nicely.
Areas suitable for a matte finish:
-Low to moderate traffic rooms, including bedrooms
-Bathroom ceilings * make sure it’s a moisture resistant paint, for example the Sherwin Williams Duration or Emerald interior paint lines make a moisture resistant matte sheen
-Kitchen walls - using a matte paint that is moisture resistant
-Closets
In this bedroom, Eg-shel finish was applied to the walls and semi-gloss on the cabinets. Cabinetry requires at least a satin finish in most cases as they are being used. More use/activity = higher sheen.
Image Credit: https://www.maisondepax.com/paint-sheen/
Eg-Shel:
Provides a smooth almost velvet like finish. Eg-shel is going to attract and hold a little more light than matte, which does make it a little more difficult to touch up, but also more scuff and moisture resistant.
Areas suitable for an eg-shel finish:
-Moderate traffic rooms
-Living room
-bedroom hallway
-dining room
-kitchen walls
Satin finish on the panneling on the walls. Satin is great for drawing your attention to distinctive features. In this case, the crafted panneling.
Image Credit: https://www.maisondepax.com/paint-sheen/
Satin:
Has a pearl like finish and is great for moderate to high traffic areas. Satin attracts more light than matte which can make it an ideal paint sheen for adding light and warmth into a space that receives little natural light.
Areas suitable for a satin finish:
-Hallways, especially around entry ways
-Children’s bedrooms
-Kitchens
-Bathrooms
-Living Rooms
Semi-gloss on the ceiling! I know this is breaking the rules I’ve layed out, but think of semi-gloss as being good for durability and high traffic, and used to draw in light and attention. In this case, it’s highlighting panneling on the ceiling.
Image Credit: https://www.maisondepax.com/paint-sheen/
Semi-Gloss:
Provides a sleek, shiny finish which makes it great for cleaning surfaces and moisture resistance. Note: it does not touch up easily and may require multiple thin coats vs. one or two thicker coats to achieve a uniform finish. Semi-gloss is ideal for high traffic areas and attracting attention to an area.
Areas suitable for a semi-gloss finish:
-Hallways,
-baseboards/trim
-kitchen backsplash
-bathrooms
-enclosed pool/spa area
Common questions about interior paint sheens
As a professional painter, what is your rule of thumb when it comes to choosing the best interior paint sheen?
I focus on the purpose and character of the room. For example, if it’s high traffic, and high moisture I’ll recommend a Satin for (folks with a preference of less shiny) and Semi-gloss (folks who want more of a shine and sleek finish) If it’s going to be lower traffic and low moisture, then I recommend flat, matte and eg-shel.
Does paint sheen change over time?
Yes, paint sheen dulls over time. Many factors impact this like direct sunlight and UV rays as well as moisture, and washing/cleaning agents being applied to walls. However we are really talking 7-10 years down the road. I always use high quality paints to avoid having your walls flashing sheen differences.
Can paint sheen affect color?
Yes, depending on the light source paint sheen can alter color. For example, darker/richer colors: think maroon, forest green can appear lighter with a lower sheen like Flat or Matte.
Does paint sheen vary by paint manufacturer?
Sort of, but not in any way that would be extremely noticeable. For example, flat will be flat, there might be a slight difference between Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, but not enough that the average person would spot it.
Summary:
When it comes to choosing a paint sheen that speaks to your vision for your home’s interior it is important to blend your personal preference with the functionality of your home. I never recommend one sheen for all rooms and spaces, which is why it is important to know the differences between them. By understanding the differences and characteristics of each sheen, you will be able to choose the best ones for your home painting project.
Contributing Sources and Further Insights on Interior Paint Sheens:
Authored by Mo Munoz, local Steamboat residential painter
