How to Choose the Perfect Paint Finish for Every Room

How to Choose the Perfect Paint Finish for Every Room

So many colors, so little time. At least, that's how it feels when you first start looking for the best indoor paint for your home renovation. Do you go with blue or grey? Should you paint the trim a complementary color? What sheen (AKA finish) should you choose? Let's not forget the question: should you paint yourself or hire a professional?

How to Choose the Perfect Paint Finish for Every Room

While you could paint your home yourself, hiring a professional ensures it's done efficiently and with the utmost care. SuperiorPRO, with its years of experience and expertise, is the premium painting provider for all your residential or commercial painting needs! We use only the highest-quality products to guarantee a long-lasting paint job.

What is a Paint Finish?

"Finish" refers to the paint's gloss or shine level. The sheen affects how the paint color looks and its performance. It's caused by whether or not the pigment absorbs or reflects light, which is determined by the amount of resin in the pigment. The more resin, the more reflective it is, making it shine. Any interior paint can be adjusted to match the sheen you're looking for.

What Are the Types of Paint Finishes?

There are five main categories of paint types: flat, matte, eggshell, satin, and gloss. Remember that the less sheen there is, the more saturated the color will be and the better it will hide wall imperfections. However, it will also be less durable and require more frequent touchups. The higher the sheen, the less saturated and more durable it will be, ensuring your walls stay beautiful for longer, but you'll be able to see wall imperfections more.

Flat Finish

Flat-finish paint has the absolute lowest amount of sheen possible. Because of this, flat finishes offer the best coverage of all paints. However, they are more prone to damage from scuffs or stains and, unfortunately, are hard to clean. Avoid using magic erasers at all costs! They'll rub off the paint. If a light cleaning doesn't work, doing a touch-up is best. Flat finish paint works wonders in:

  • Adult bedrooms
  • Formal Living Rooms
  • Ceilings
  • Uneven or textured walls

Matte Finish

Matte paints have the next lowest level of sheen. This type is also great for hiding wall irregularities and, unlike flat paints, is easier to clean. While matte finishes are still prone to scuffs or stains, you can scrub walls covered in this paint clean since they have a higher sheen than flat finishes. Some companies even specialize in "washable" matte paints, making maintenance a breeze. Matte paint types are ideal for:

  • Living rooms
  • Older-child bedrooms
  • Dining rooms
  • Sunrooms

Eggshell Finish

The most common option is paint with an eggshell finish. The amount of shine is the main difference between matte and eggshell. These finishes have just the slightest bit of shine, making them easy to clean and durable. However, eggshell paints will accentuate any imperfections your walls have. To avoid this, prep the walls before painting by removing old paint, raised edges from nail holes, and any other bumps. Eggshell finishes are a good option for:

  • Hallways
  • Woodwork
  • Family rooms
  • Kitchens

Satin Finish

Satin finishes provide the second-highest amount of shine possible in paints. They're slightly reflective with a pearl-like finish and much easier to clean than others we've discussed. A satin finish will hold up well against bumps and stains. As one of the smoothest finishes available, satin paint adds instant elegance to any room but will also draw attention to unaddressed wall issues. They work well on trims or baseboards and in:

  • Playrooms
  • Entryways
  • Hallways
  • Living rooms

Gloss Finish

Gloss finish paints come in various levels of shine, starting with semi-gloss and ending with high-gloss. As the name implies, gloss finishes are undeniably reflective. These highly durable paints will hold up best in high-traffic areas against all marks and stains. When considering semi-gloss vs. satin, think about where you're placing it. While satin wildcard: pain is easier to apply, it won't be as easy to clean.

High-gloss paint is a beautiful finish for room elements that you want to give a striking appearance. Semi-gloss paints are ideal for utility areas, closet doors, windows, and trim/molding, while high-gloss paints work best for:

  • Wood trim
  • Cabinets
  • Doors
  • Furniture

Stellar Services from SuperiorPRO

While you may go through a few different color-and-finish swatches before landing on the right one for your project, that won't be the case when choosing a painter. SuperiorPRO only uses Behr, the highest quality painting products, and tried-and-true techniques to guarantee a job you'll be satisfied with. We'll walk you through each painting process step so that you'll understand what to expect from our team.

We understand that pricing is a significant factor in home renovations. However, we never want our customers to feel like they have to sacrifice quality to stay within budget. That's why SuperiorPRO offers flexible financing options to help keep you as close as possible to your ideal price point, without compromising on the quality of your project.

Perfect Paint Jobs Start Here!

When you want a painting project completed but don't want to deal with the hassle that comes with doing it yourself, call SuperiorPRO. We train each of our team members in the latest methods, using only the best indoor paint, to ensure every detail turns out perfectly. Why? SuperiorPRO is dedicated to providing a beautiful outcome and protecting your investment.

Our work always comes with a written warranty and a free quote. Contact SuperiorPRO today for help with your painting project and experience the difference our commitment to quality makes.

Get Your Free Quote!

470-291-5105

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