It's great to find the perfect color for your interior painting project, but finding the proper sheen is just as important. Choosing the proper sheen for the different surfaces and areas of your home will help you choose the best interior product and get the most from your paint for a beautiful look that will stand the test of time. Visit the Color Center at your local Home Depot for more tips on choosing the right sheen for your project.
A flat sheen has a non-reflective finish that touches up well and hides minor surface imperfections.
Low-traffic areas; interior walls and ceilings
Ceilings
Medium-Low
A matte sheen has a low-luster, reflective finish that is durable, easy to clean, touches up well and also hides minor surface imperfections.
Low-traffic areas; interior walls
Family rooms, living rooms, kids' rooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, ceilings
Medium
An eggshell enamel sheen has a soft, velvety appearance that resists dirt and grime, as well as mildew.
Moderate-traffic areas
Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, dining rooms
Medium
BEHR MARQUEE® Interior Eggshell Enamel BEHR ULTRA™ Interior Eggshell Enamel PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Eggshell Enamel
A satin enamel sheen has a pearl-like finish that's easy to clean.
All interior surfaces; moderate- to high-traffic areas
Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters, interior furniture
Medium-High
BEHR MARQUEE® Interior Satin Enamel BEHR ULTRA™ Interior Satin Enamel PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Satin Enamel
A semi-gloss enamel sheen is sleek and radiant resisting mildew, moisture and wear.
Cabinets and trim; high-traffic, high-moisture areas
Kids' rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters
High
BEHR MARQUEE® Interior Semi-Gloss Enamel BEHR ULTRA™ Interior Semi-Gloss Enamel PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Semi-Gloss Enamel
Hi-Gloss enamel sheens provide have a brilliant, shiny appearance and a durable, glass-like finish that allows dirt and grime to be wiped clean.
High-use surfaces
Kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters, interior furniture
High
Use this chart to help you easily choose the best sheen of paint for your upcoming indoor paint projects.
Project | Flat | Matte | Eggshell | Satin | Semi-Gloss | Hi-Gloss |
Flat
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Family Rooms | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | |||
Living Rooms | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | |||
Bedrooms | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | |||
Dining Rooms | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | ||||
Ceilings | Applicable | Applicable | |||||
Kids' Rooms | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | |||
Hallways | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | ||||
Kitchens | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | ||||
Bathrooms | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | ||||
Doors | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | ||||
Windows & Shutters | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | ||||
Trim | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | ||||
Cabinets | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | ||||
Interior Furniture | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable |