Paint Sheens Explained: Flat, Eggshell, Satin and Gloss

Paint sheen runs from flat, with no shine, through eggshell, satin and semi-gloss to high-gloss. The shinier the paint, the more durable and washable it is, but the more it shows flaws in the wall. Most homes use flat on ceilings, eggshell or satin on walls, and semi-gloss on trim and doors.

The paint sheens, from flattest to shiniest

• Flat or matte: no shine, so it hides bumps, patches and uneven drywall best, and touch-ups blend in. It's the least washable. Best for ceilings and low-traffic rooms like adult bedrooms and formal living rooms.
• Eggshell: a low, soft sheen that's more washable than flat while still hiding most flaws. The most common choice for living rooms, bedrooms and hallways.
• Satin: a little more sheen and noticeably easier to clean. Good for family rooms, kids' rooms, hallways and other busy spaces.
• Semi-gloss: shiny, hard and easy to wipe down. Best for trim, doors, cabinets, and the walls of kitchens and bathrooms where moisture and splashes are common.
• High-gloss: the hardest and shiniest finish. Used on front doors, railings, furniture and accent trim. It shows every flaw, so the surface has to be very smooth.

How to choose a sheen

• For walls with dents, patches or uneven texture, go flatter. Shine shows imperfections, especially under side light from windows.
• For rooms that get touched, bumped or splashed, go shinier.
• For ceilings, use flat. It hides seams and doesn't reflect glare from lights.
• Keep sheens consistent from room to room on walls, and use one sheen for all the trim.

Shinier paints need smoother walls. Glossy walls usually call for a Level 5 drywall finish so seams don't show. See the 6 levels of drywall finish and interior vs. exterior paint.

Interior painting in Orlando

New Ceilings paints interiors across Orlando and Central Florida and helps you pick the right sheen for each room, using Sherwin-Williams paint. Every job starts with a free written quote. See interior and exterior painting.