How To Choose the Right Paint Finish for Every Project

Start here for the right finish.

Whether it’s the perfect shade of white, rich navy blue, or bright pink—something is exciting about finding a paint color you love. Then you have another big decision to make: what finish to choose. There are two main factors to consider for this. The first is how much light you want to reflect. The second is how dirty the space will get. Remember, the less gloss a paint has, the more challenging it becomes to clean. So, it's crucial to find a balance between aesthetics and practicality. Here's how the pros select the right finish for every project.

Related: The Right Paint Finish Can Actually Help Your Home Look Cleaner—Here's How

Glossy

Many people think of glossy paint as the standard. After all, we associate gloss with light and more light in the home is good—right? Sort of. While glossy paint is easy to clean, if you go overboard your walls could end up looking reflective.

Instead of going full gloss, Olivia Wahler of Hearth Homes Interiors suggests using a satin finish as a smart alternative. “In higher traffic areas, we recommend using a satin finish so that it can easily be cleaned—think kids' bedrooms, hallways, bathrooms, kitchen, mud room, cabinetry, doors, and trim,” explains the designer. “Main living areas, adult or guest bedrooms, and ceilings typically will get an eggshell finish in our projects, which can still be easily wiped down, but will appear a little softer on the eye than a satin or semi-gloss finish.”

Eggshell

Eggshell paint is great for rooms where you’re looking for a slight sheen without going over the top. “Portola’s eggshell finish is a durable wall paint that is ideal for high traffic areas, where a slight sheen is desired to improve clean-ability,” says Jamie Davis, co-founder of Portola Paints.

Heather Kates, design director at MDI Interior Design is also a fan of the versatility of this finish. “When I determine the proper paint finish for a room, I think about how the space will be used. If it is a high-traffic area or a bathroom, I always recommend an eggshell finish. A matte finish is beautiful, but it is hard to maintain,” she explains.

Matte

Designer Betsy Burnham, Principal and Founder of Burnham Design feels you can’t go wrong with matte paint on any wall. “I’m a big believer that the walls inside of a house should be painted in a matte finish. There’s a depth to matte paint—a richness.”

She also thinks it's the best choice for ceilings. “As a rule, ceilings should be matte. I also prefer a matte finish for bathroom walls, as most paint companies make matte formulas that are wipeable and moisture resistant.”

Want to take your walls to the next level? The designer suggests contrasting your matte walls with a glossy trim. “When offset by satin or an even glossier finish on trim such as baseboards and door casings, it’s a very sophisticated look.”

Flat

Flat finish paint reflects even less light than matte paint. So you can use it anywhere you'd use matte for a deeper effect. The only difference is personal preference. For example, Davis prefers a flat finish for nearly every room. “Lower traffic areas like bedrooms, living rooms, or dining rooms are a no-brainer. Always on ceilings. Even in rooms like a kitchen or a bathroom, situationally.”

Just keep in mind that flat finish paints can be very difficult to clean. So avoid this in kids' and teens' bedrooms.

Limewash

One of the hottest paint finishes in recent years has been limewash. This is a unique, high-style finish that’s best for specific specific projects and rooms, as opposed to the whole home. Davis tells me, “This organic and highly breathable finish makes Limewash ideal for historic restorations, interior and exterior masonry, and drywall applications. Limewash will naturally give you a soft, suede-like appearance. The overlapping brush strokes give movement and dimension to the walls.”

Related: 5 Quick Paint Touch-Ups That Can Transform the Entire Room

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