Guide to Choosing the Best Paint for Your Interior Project

You’ve stalked every one of your favorite celebrity interior designers on Instagram, devoured all the West Elm and Design Within Reach magazines, binged watched every HGTV show, and gone completely pin crazy on Pinterest.  But all that research has paid off, because you’ve finally picked the perfect color to paint your space!  You’re at the checkout counter, juggling supplies and brimming with anticipation, when the clerk asks you, “What paint finish?”  Umm, what?  Yes, there is another decision to be made, a decision that can make or break your project.  But fret not!  Here’s some simple info to help you select the right paint finish for the job.

There are five common interior paint finishes to choose from, all ranging in shine and durability.  The higher the shine, the higher the durability and the easier to clean.  But the higher the shine, the more any cracks, bumps or imperfections will show on your wall.  So, if you’re pro-shine, you gotta be pro-prep work too.    

Let’s take a closer look!

High Gloss

The shiniest, most durable, and easiest to clean option.  This finish is tough!  Bring on all the sticky, dirty fingers!  This finish will beam on!  But you will definitely need to prep surfaces before you paint, as this finish showcases imperfections instead of concealing them.  It’s most often used in kitchens, in bathrooms, on doors, and on trims.

Semi gloss

The high gloss lite option.  This finish is still shiny, durable, easy to clean, and reveals imperfections.  Just a little bit less so.  It’s also most often used in kitchens, in bathrooms, on doors, and on trims.

Satin

The velvety option.  This luxe finish offers a medium shine, high durability, and is easy to clean.  Its only weakness is it’s harder to execute a perfectly polished result.  Any paint application error – a funky brush stroke or “holidays” – will stand out.  And touch-ups can be tricky.  It’s most often used in living rooms, foyers, and hallways.

Eggshell

The dash of luster option.  This finish is mostly matte with a little sheen, just like an egg.  It’s not as durable or easy to clean, but it covers wall imperfections, which saves you time and money on prep work.  It’s most often used in dining rooms and living rooms.

Flat / Matte

The opaque option.  This finish offers zero shine, which makes it the least durable and most difficult to clean.  But boy can you just get right to painting!  All your walls’ secrets are safe with a flat finish!  It’s most often used in adult bedrooms and ceilings.

Some other things to keep in mind.  Darker colors have more of a sheen to them.  A deep, rich blue in eggshell can appear to have a semi-gloss finish.  Also, depending on the brand, the shinier options can sometimes be more expensive. 

Good luck and happy painting!

Maybe you might be interested: How long does it take to paint a room? Is it possible to do it one day?