Which Paint Sheen Should You Use in Each Room?

Two walls painted the same color can look completely different depending on sheen. Sheen is how much light the dried paint reflects. Higher sheen is easier to clean but shows every dent and patch. Lower sheen hides imperfections but marks more easily.

The sheens, from flattest to shiniest

• Flat: no shine, best at hiding imperfections. Our standard for ceilings.
• Matte: a touch more durable than flat, still very low shine. Good for bedrooms and formal rooms.
• Eggshell: a soft glow and better washability. The most common choice for living areas and hallways.
• Satin: noticeably more sheen and easier to wipe down. Good for kitchens, bathrooms and kids' rooms.
• Semi-gloss: durable and scrubbable. Our standard for trim, doors and many cabinets.
• Gloss: highest shine. Used for front doors, railings and accents.

Room-by-room recommendations

• Ceilings: flat.
• Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms: matte or eggshell.
• Hallways and stairwells: eggshell or satin, since they take more scuffs.
• Kitchens and bathrooms: satin, which handles moisture and cleaning better.
• Trim, baseboards and interior doors: semi-gloss.
• Cabinets: satin or semi-gloss cabinet-grade enamel.
• Front door: gloss or semi-gloss.

Older walls change the answer

Many homes in Westchester and Connecticut have plaster walls with years of patches. Higher sheens make every repair visible, so on older walls we often recommend going one step flatter, or doing a skim coat first if you want a satin finish.

Try before you commit

Sheen and color both change with your light. We paint sample patches on your walls so you can see them in the morning and at night before deciding.

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