Choosing the Right Wall Paint Finishes - Nolan Painting (2024)

FAQs

Choosing the Right Wall Paint Finishes - Nolan Painting? ›

If you are looking for a well-saturated wall that has rich results, you'll want to go with a flat finish. Flat paint is the most forgiving finish with the best color payout. If you need to cover imperfections, patching or joints, flat paint can absorb light, making your dings and flaws less noticeable.

Flat, eggshell and satin paint are best for interior walls, whereas semi-gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork. Flat paint has a velvety, matte look and is the best choice to hide any wall imperfections. However, it's the least durable choice and doesn't usually stand up well to scrubbing.

We recommend matte paints for bedrooms and as living room paint finishes where the walls are exposed to less moisture, choosing a glossier eggshell finish for kitchens and as a paint finish for bathrooms, which are more prone to moisture, as well as children's rooms, which might need more regular cleaning.

Consider Room Size

Bright, cool whites can make a space feel larger and more open while warmer shades can make a space feel intimate and cozy. A long narrow room will look wider if you use a slightly darker color on the shorter walls and a lighter color on the longer walls.

Eggshell is a good option for those who like flatter finishes but still want to wipe down the walls from time to time. While satin is undoubtedly a more durable option, eggshell is a good all-around sheen for any room.

What's the Better Paint Finish for Interior Walls? It depends. Eggshell is great on less than perfect walls in low-humidity environments with medium washability requirements. Satin is the best for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms or rooms that need frequent washing, like a child's bedroom.

Because eggshell is less lustrous than satin, it is also slightly less durable. That being said, it will still hold up better than flat or matte finishes. Eggshell paint is a great option for walls in medium- to low-traffic areas and can be easily cleaned.

Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.

Eggshell paint finishes are low luster with a very subtle sheen. While eggshell does not have too much luster, it will reflect and bounce light throughout a room, creating depth in a space without appearing overly shiny.

What is the most popular color for interior walls? ›

Gray, beige, white, earth tones and other neutrals dominate our bestseller list when it comes to our most popular interior paint colors.

Sherwin-Williams announced Upward (SW 6239) as its Color of the Year for 2024, and the relaxed blue practically embodies the sensation of taking a slow breath of crisp air.

Eggshell paint is probably the most popular choice for interior paint, especially for lived-in areas like living rooms and dining rooms, and is seen by many as a great compromise between the easy maintenance of glossy paints and the ability to cover up imperfections of matte paints.

Key Takeaway: Using the right tools and techniques, it is possible to achieve professional-looking results when painting eggshell over satin. Primers may be necessary for oil-based paints or significant color differences between old and new shades. Otherwise, two coats of white latex paint can suffice.

Satin and low-lustre paints have a slightly higher sheen than eggshell finishes. Paints in this category are warmer and provide a greater appearance of depth than flat paints. They also resist stains better than flat paints.

SW ProMar 200 Low sheen Eggshell.

Moderately scratch and moisture-resistant, satin paint is more durable than a flat or eggshell finish. The attractive sheen is relatively easy to clean but may show wall imperfections. Satin finish is a popular choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and kids' rooms.

Eggshell. The perfect mix of durable and great looking, eggshell is the most common paint finish used throughout homes. "This finish provides a low sheen and a smooth finish that can subtly enhance color depth," says Mendelson.

One of the most popular types of wall paint, eggshell finish provides a low sheen and a soft, smooth finish just like a true eggshell. Perfect for low- to mid-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, entryways and family rooms.