Picking your paint color is not the end of your decision making when it comes to painting the interior of your home. The next question is: What sheen should I use?
Walls: Blackberry Jam S100-6
What is the best interior paint for high-traffic areas?
Understanding the best uses for different paint sheens is helpful. In general, the higher the sheen, the easier it is to clean, making it ideal for areas with high traffic and moisture. That’s why trim, molding, and cabinets are often painted with a higher sheen than walls.
The “Sheen Ladder”: From Flat to High-Gloss
A helpful way to understand paint finishes is to think of them as a ladder. Each step up adds more shine, durability, and washability:
- Flat: The least reflective sheen, best for hiding imperfections and creating a soft, casual look.
- Matte: Slightly more durable than flat, with minimal shine and a cozy feel.
- Eggshell: A subtle, elegant glow that works well for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.
- Satin: A smooth, versatile finish that is more scrubbable, making it great for high-traffic areas.
- Semi-Gloss: Noticeably shiny and very durable, often used for trim, doors, and bathrooms.
- Hi-Gloss: The most reflective finish, ideal for cabinets and accents where you want a bold, polished look.
Wall: Desert Khaki N310-4 in Satin, Cabinetry: Iron Mountain N520-5 in Hi-Gloss
Sheens also play a role in how the finished room looks. Glossy sheens complement modern designs well, while flatter sheens are ideal for creating a cottage or farmhouse style. But you don’t have to stick to the rules. If you’re aiming for a unique look, try painting the same color in two different sheens to create a subtle design on your wall. You will notice that the glossier the finish, the bolder and brighter the color appears. Mixing sheens, for example a higher gloss for ceiling and flatter for your walls, is another unique way to add depth and dimension to the space.
Walls: Cotton Knit PPU7-11 in Eggshell, Back Wall: Balance Green S360-3 in Eggshell, Ceiling: Balance Green S360-3 in Semi-Gloss
Duller sheens such as Flat or Matte create a casual and inviting atmosphere in a room. These finishes have minimal glare, making them easy on the eyes, providing a cozy backdrop that allows the color to stand out rather than the shine. While they offer comfort to your space, these sheens are less durable than glossier options. They can be cleaned and touched up effectively but are best used in low-moisture areas. Additionally, they are the most forgiving when it comes to application, excelling at hiding imperfections.
Wall: Blank Canvas in Flat
Eggshell and Satin sheens gloss level is in the middle, not too dull or too shiny. They absorb just the right amount of light giving them an elegant feel. When choosing between eggshell vs. satin, it helps to think about how much traffic and wear a room will see. Eggshell is often used in Living rooms, Dining areas, or Bedrooms when you want just a touch more shine than Flat or Matte. If you’re wondering when to use eggshell vs. satin, eggshell is a great option for low- to moderate-traffic spaces where you want a soft, inviting finish. Satin with its slightly higher sheen, is more versatile than Eggshell and can be used in almost any room in the home. For high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, or kids’ rooms, satin is often the better choice because it is more durable and more scrubbable when frequent wiping is needed. Both are durable and easy to clean, making them the perfect choice for those who want a balance of shine.
Wall: Charcoal Blue N490-5 in Satin, Trim: Magnetic Gray N500-5 in Satin
Glossier paints such as Semi-Gloss and Hi-Gloss are highly reflective and can imitate a glass-like appearance, especially when the room is filled with light. The overall feel is modern and sleek and looks beautiful on walls with no texture. However, unlike flat sheens, these glossier finishes can accentuate brush strokes and roller marks, so it’s best to use a sprayer to achieve a smooth and even finish. The higher reflective finish can also make a small room look brighter or larger making it great for powder rooms or closets. These higher sheens are the easiest to clean, this is why cabinet, doors, trim, and molding are often painted in a Semi or Hi-Gloss sheen.
Which interior paint finish is easiest to clean without leaving scuff marks?
For interior walls, eggshell and satin finishes are typically the easiest to clean without leaving scuff marks. These mid-level sheens offer a smooth surface that resists stains and allows for gentle wiping without damaging the paint. They’re a practical choice for high-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, and kitchens where durability matters.
Cabinets: Midnight Blue N480-7 in Semi-Gloss, Walls: White 52 in Eggshell
There are best practices for sheens, and you should take into consideration the function of the room, but don’t forget your personal preference and style is a factor that will make the space all your own.
Click on the link to learn more about the sheens that Behr offers:
Colorfully yours,
Larayne
Hi! Wondering what color was used on the trim in the picture with cotton knit walls/balance green ceiling?
Thanks 🙂
Hello Sarah, Thank you for visiting our blog! We’re so glad you reached out with your color question. The trim color featured in that photo is Cotton Grey—a timeless and warm hue that adds a subtle yet sophisticated touch to any space.
Colorfully Yours,
Deanna