With all the different textures of paint out there, which paint sheens work best on interiors? These are all the paint sheens I use in our home.
There are many different paint sheens depending on the brands you use. And within those sheens, many different final textures. These are the three different paint sheens I use in our house, as well as where I use them!
Flat/Matte Paint
Flat or matte paint has a very dull surface texture. This doesn’t mean that it is BORING by any means. It just doesn’t catch the light.
This is actually great for disguising wall texture. The flat paint will not draw attention to the imperfections in the finish of the wall.
I use flat paint in almost every room of our house. Behr’s Ultra paint in flat is my go to choice.
This paint is durable, affordable, and holds up well. I generally do two coats no matter the color and it usually covers fully.
Despite the paint being flat, it isn’t chalky or dusty at all. You can still wipe down the wall with a damp rag without scuffing.
I used this paint in my hallways, bedroom, bathroom, and study. Even after three years, the paint still holds up great!
Satin Paint
The downside to flat paint? It’s not shiny. Which sometimes is good! And sometimes not so good. Sometimes you want a different texture!
This is where satin paint comes in handy. It’s a touch glossier than flat paint, but not so glossy that we’re at risk of being blinded.
I use satin paint when flat paint won’t do but semi-gloss is too shiny. For example I used satin on the ceiling tray in our hallway. The trim is all semi-gloss but tiles are satin.
The contrast between the two textures adds just a little bit of interest to the space.
I also used satin in our kitchen. Since the entire room is wooden, flat would be a strange option. Especially in such a heavily used space.
But a whole room of semi-gloss is too shiny. Instead I chose satin for the ceiling and walls.
Semi-Gloss Paint
I only really have one rule with paint textures (a rule I’ve broken twice thus far but still), and it is that wood should be shiny. Not too shiny. No High Gloss business.
But wood should generally be shiny compared to being matte. I use semi-gloss paint for all of our wood trim. It makes the trim wipeable and easily cleaned while also providing a nice contrast to the wall texture.
Since semi-gloss generally shows imperfections more than satin, the brush strokes show up often on our trim. And to be honest, it doesn’t bother me.
This house renovation is one giant exercise in hand craft. So a little extra evidence of love and attention in the brush strokes just makes me happy.
If it doesn’t make you happy, there are also additives you can use to help the paint level out and eliminate brush strokes.
Choosing Paint Sheens
The right paint sheens for your home are going to depend on what you like! You can get samples of most different paint sheens at the paint store. So don’t be afraid to grab a few and see what you like!
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