If you’ve ever done your own painting projects at home, you’ll no doubt have faced the decision about what paint finish to choose. Most of us choose the finish we think looks nicest. Some people like glossy, some people like flat.

But there’s much more to think about before choosing the right finish for each room in the house. In bathrooms and kitchens, you’ll need something that’s more durable, washable and resistant to moist environments. In the bedroom, you might prefer a flat finish that doesn’t reflect too much light.

There are 3 main categories of paint finishes, each one well-suited for certain rooms:

1. Flat Finish

Flat finishes are well-suited to low-traffic areas like dining rooms and adult bedrooms.

Paint with a flat finish has no sheen and is somewhat ‘rough’ to the touch. The colours of flat paints look richer than with other finishes. Flat paint reduces the appearance of small blemishes and inconsistencies of your walls because it absorbs more of the ambient light in the room.

But flat finishes are more difficult to clean than other finishes and can actually come off if you scrub them too hard. Flat finishes are well-suited to low-traffic areas like dining rooms and adult bedrooms.

2. Eggshell, Satin and Low-Lustre Finishes

Low-lustre finishes are easier to clean, very durable and moisture-resistant.

Perhaps the best all-around paint for your home, low-lustre finishes are easier to clean, very durable and moisture-resistant, while still offering the rich colours of flat paints. Their durability and ease of cleaning make eggshell/satin/low-lustre paints perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and children’s bedrooms.

3. Semi-Gloss and Gloss Finishes

Gloss finishes are great for doors, door frames, baseboards and kitchen cabinets

Gloss finishes feature the highest sheen and light reflectivity of any paint finishes. They are also the most durable and easiest to clean. But the high shine and light reflection tend to bring out the imperfections of the surface they cover.

Gloss finishes are great for doors, door frames, baseboards and kitchen cabinets; places that get lots of use and that may need frequent cleaning.

To learn more about the best finish for your next paint project, talk to the interior paint specialists here at The Paint People.