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When it comes to painting our homes, we tend to put all our energy and excitement into what colors to pick. And, really, how can we not? There are sooooo pretty colors to choose from. You’ve seen the paint chips displays at the hardware store. Picking the right color sets the tone for your space. That said, picking the right color means nothing if you get the wrong paint finish. Don’t believe me? Ask the couple who got their whole house painted with a flat paint and were pissed about all their oil spots a few weeks later. Let’s not let that be you. Here’s what you need to know.

Finishes Overview: First and foremost, understand are used first for durability. They are used to cover your surfaces with a durability fit for the type of space you have. That means that having one finish for your whole home is likely not ideal for your home. After durability, paint finishes also give off an aesthetic look and feel that ranges from matte to glossy. Occasionally, you may want to have that visual texture depending on the design of your space, but keep in mind that the durability always comes first. Now, let’s look at the types of finishes you can choose from.

Flat: Flat paint works best in low-use areas and has a full matte finish. Basically, it’s best used in areas where you don’t expect to spend much time or even really touch. Typical areas for flat paints are ceilings or little-used storage areas.

Matte: Another option for low-use areas is the matte finish. The matte finish is sometimes synonymous with the flat finish since the look and feel is similar, though matte finishes are slightly smoother than a basic flat. When you think of matte, think things like linen closets.

Eggshell: Eggshell is best used for low- to medium-use spaces and the most common finish for interiors. It has a smooth finish with a bit of a matte undertone in the feel of it. It’s also great for spaces like formal living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, where you can manage basic marks, dirt and spills.

Satin: Consider a satin finish your initial go-to for active spaces. It’s best for medium-use traffic kids bedrooms or some fitness rooms. Like it’s name, you can expect a satin feel to the paint, which ultimately helps with protection of more dirts and stains. (Anybody else’s kids got random questionable stuff just up on the wall that you have to scrub off? No? Just me? Ok.)

Semi-gloss: best for wet spaces. Semi-gloss works really well in medium- to high-use areas like kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms. It’s finish is a light gloss that’s smooth and is easy to wipe down, especially when considering wet spaces.

High-gloss: The ultimate finish for high-traffic areas. With the high-gloss finish, you have the full gloss shine, and it works really well for high-traffic items like doors, trim, and cabinets. You can also use it for garages or basement if you expect very high traffic in these areas as well.

Make sure you think about the right finish for your space before you get started. Before we adjourn, go ahead and like this post and subscribe to the blog for more design info. Until next time!