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Choosing a paint color is important—but the paint sheen you choose can completely change how that color looks and functions in your home. From durability to depth, the right finish affects everything from light reflection to washability.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through each type of paint sheen, explain how sheen affects color, and help you confidently choose the best one for your next project.
What Is Paint Sheen?
Paint sheen refers to how shiny or reflective a paint finish is. The higher the sheen, the more enamel it contains—making it more reflective, durable, and easier to clean.
That shine also impacts how a color appears. The same white paint in matte and semi-gloss finishes will look like two different colors on the wall. This is especially important if you’re painting walls and trim the same color but using different finishes.
Types of Paint Sheens
1. Flat / Matte
- Sheen Level: No shine
- Best For: Ceilings and low-traffic walls
- Pros: Hides imperfections; offers a smooth, elegant look
- Cons: Least washable and prone to scuffing
Flat and matte are ideal for walls with texture, patching, or drywall seams. They absorb light, so bumps and flaws disappear.
2. Eggshell
- Sheen Level: Low sheen with a subtle glow
- Best For: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas
- Pros: Soft finish; easier to clean than matte
- Cons: Not as durable as higher sheens
This is my personal favorite for walls—it has enough durability for everyday life but still hides imperfections well.
3. Satin
- Sheen Level: Mid-level sheen
- Best For: Kitchens, bathrooms, trim, and cabinetry
- Pros: Highly washable and moisture-resistant
- Cons: Highlights surface flaws and brush strokes
Satin is great when you want a more modern finish that can stand up to messes without going full gloss.
4. Semi-Gloss
- Sheen Level: High sheen
- Best For: Doors, baseboards, crown molding, high-use cabinetry
- Pros: Super durable and easy to wipe down
- Cons: Shows every flaw and needs proper prep
If you’re painting trim, this is the most common choice. It reflects light beautifully and adds definition.
5. Gloss / High Gloss
- Sheen Level: Ultra reflective
- Best For: Front doors, stair railings, built-ins with high design impact
- Pros: Maximum durability and drama
- Cons: Prep work must be flawless
I love high gloss in small doses—it makes trim or cabinetry look lacquered and luxurious, but it’s not forgiving.
Sheen Affects Paint Color
Paint sheen can actually change how a color looks:
- Higher sheen = more reflective = color appears brighter and cooler
- Lower sheen = more absorbent = color appears softer and warmer
This is most noticeable with white paints. Extra White on trim in semi-gloss will read brighter than the same paint in matte on walls.
Sheen Affects Paint Color
Paint sheen can actually change how a color looks:
- Higher sheen = more reflective = color appears brighter and cooler
- Lower sheen = more absorbent = color appears softer and warmer
This is most noticeable with white paints. Extra White on trim in semi-gloss will read brighter than the same paint in matte on walls.
Not All Sheens Are Created Equal
Brand sheens can vary:
- Sherwin Williams’ semi-gloss is less shiny than Benjamin Moore’s
- Farrow & Ball’s Modern Emulsion is closer to eggshell
- Benjamin Moore Pearl falls between satin and semi-gloss
Always sample your paint in the brand and finish you plan to use!
Sheens I’ve Used in My Own Home
After years of painting (and repainting!) every room, cabinet, and trim in our house, I’ve developed some go-to combos that balance durability, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what I’ve used and why:
Walls – Eggshell
This is my default for most rooms. It’s just enough sheen to be wipeable (hello, kids’ fingerprints!) but still hides imperfections in drywall. We’ve used eggshell in our living room, bedrooms, and hallways.
The only room where we used a matte sheen is our master bedroom, both the walls and ceiling are the same color (BM Swiss Coffee) in matte. It gives an extra soft, more modern look, and I don’t need to worry about kids up there.
Bathrooms – Satin
Bathrooms need extra durability, especially with moisture and humidity. Satin gives me that cleanable surface without being overly shiny. I’ve used satin on both bathroom walls and ceilings.
Trim & Doors – Semi-Gloss or Satin
I’m inconsistent here. Our entire addition has satin for the trim and doors. It looks so fresh and modern! However, the existing part of our house was repainted a few years ago with semi-gloss, since we found the previous satin finish did not hold up to our kids.
In my opinion, the satin looks SO much better (and hides imperfections in an older house better!), but the semi-gloss does seem to hold up better to my kids crashing into things.
That being said, our addition was painted really thoughtfully by a professional crew – they used an Alkyd paint (made for cabinets) as the first layer then topped with the satin. So I’m hoping it’s stronger than what we previously had.
Kitchen Cabinets – Satin
We went with satin for the kitchen cabinets because it’s durable but not overly reflective (which helps disguise minor dings). It gives a soft, polished look that still feels modern.
Ceilings – Flat
Always flat! It hides ceiling imperfections and doesn’t draw attention upward. Even with recessed lighting, flat finishes keep the focus on the room itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not unless it’s a special bathroom-rated paint. Stick to satin or higher in humid spaces.
You can —but use different sheens. For example, eggshell walls with semi-gloss trim adds depth.
Yes. The glossier the finish, the more it highlights bumps and brush strokes.
Yes. Higher-end paints like Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams offer better coverage, fewer coats, and better finishes—even in lower sheens.
Absolutely. This is standard practice—just be intentional about where and why.
Final Thoughts
The right paint sheen makes all the difference. It impacts how your room feels, how durable your paint is, and how easy it is to clean. Don’t skip this step!
Start with samples. Look at them in natural light and under your lighting fixtures. Test on trim, walls, and cabinetry if needed.
We went through a painting spree and I cannot tell you how much we valued good quality Frog Tape over the cheapie dollar store stuff. Guess everyone has to find out the hard way!!
Great post, very informative.