The guide to different paint finishes

Buying the right paint can make a home improvement task tricky – especially if you don’t know the different paint finishes. With around 700 million litres of paint sold in the UK annually, many a DIY enthusiast finds themselves asking, “which paint finish should I use?”

If you don’t know your matt from your gloss, this is the guide for you. We’ll explore the types of paint finishes, look at when they might be suitable, and help you choose the best paint finish for the job.

How to choose the right paint finish

Several factors go into your choice of paint finish:

1. What are you painting? Is it internal walls, external walls, or a different material?
2. What state is the wall in? Some paints help hide imperfections better than others, and you might need to consider how many coats of paint you need.
3. What room are you painting? Some paints are more durable and easier to clean.
4. Are you decorating in a specific style? You’ll need to consider how much paint you need and what kind suits your space.

By answering these questions, you’ll be able to focus on specific paint finishes and the right decorating supplies. To understand which paint finish to use, it’s essential to learn about sheen levels.

Paint sheen differences

Paint sheen gives you an idea of how much light the paint reflects. Higher sheen paints reflect more light, so look shinier – or, to use the industry term, provide higher gloss paint finishes.

As a general rule of thumb: the shinier the paint, the more durable it tends to be. That doesn’t mean that you should use high-gloss paint everywhere – it’s probably too shiny for most rooms in the home, and you probably don’t want to be blinded by your walls.

Some paints also require more prep work as they can be less forgiving, while others will show imperfections on the painted surface. The key to finding the right paint finish is balancing practicality, ease of application, and style.

Paint sheen levels

So, what paint sheen levels are there? Generally, your choice in finish will come down to one of:

• matt
• durable matt
• soft sheen
• eggshell
• satin/satinwood
• gloss.

You can find specialist paints for more specific needs – but these categories will cover most interior jobs.  

Paint sheen guide: the different types of paint finishes

From flat paint to high-gloss paint, let’s take a more in-depth look at the different paint finishes.

Matt paint

Sheen level: 0-5%

Where to use: Bedrooms, Living rooms, Studies

Features: Wipeable, Masks imperfections

Matt paint is a low-sheen (0-5 per cent) interior paint that comes in a flat finish. It has the most pigment of any paint type, so will give deep, rich colours. Matt paint can provide a rich, velvety finish to look great in more formal rooms like adult’s bedrooms, dining rooms, and home offices. It’s commonly used on ceilings.

It’s also great on walls with a few bumps and flaws. However, you’ll probably want to avoid using a matt finish in high-traffic areas. It’s wipeable but can be fairly hard to clean if stained, will show scuffs, and might need repainting if marking is significant. Some matt emulsion paints can have extremely flat finishes – for example, the Farrow & Ball Casein Distemper has just a 2 per cent sheen.

Durable matt paint

Sheen level: 5-10%

Where to use: Hallways, Kitchens, Kids’ rooms

Features: Washable, Scrubbable, Stain Resistant

Durable matt has slightly more sheen (5-10 per cent). The clue is in the name: It’s a bit more durable than matt – most are quite washable, scrubbable and stain resistant. You’re likely to find durable matt paint in hallways, kitchens and kids’ bedrooms.

Soft sheen paint

Sheen level: 10-20%

Where to use: Bathrooms, Utility rooms, Entryways

Features: easy to clean

The next step up in sheen is soft sheen paint. It comes in between 10-20 per cent sheen, and is easy to clean. For this reason, it’s used in tougher environments, like bathrooms, utility rooms and busy entry points.

Eggshell paint

Sheen level: 20-30%

Where to use: Interior Woodwork, Radiators, Bathrooms

Features: Fully washable

Coming in between 20-30 per cent sheen, an eggshell paint finish looks quite soft and velvety, like a matt, but not quite as deep – and with a bit more shine. It’s still a subtle finish but can resist slight stains and marks better than most matts. It’s a fully washable finish.

Eggshell paint is a good choice for high-traffic areas – think family rooms, bedrooms and hallways. With an eggshell finish, you’ll achieve a classy look without worrying about minor marks. This makes it a solid all-rounder. It can also be used on interior woodwork and radiators – you can even get some hardy exterior eggshell paint that can withstand the British weather.

Satin paint (or satinwood)

Sheen level: 30-50%

Where to use: Kitchen Cabinets, Furniture, Exterior woodwork (where stated)

Features: Ultra tough, Easy to clean

A satin finish is a great choice for ultra-busy interior rooms. It comes with a classy sheen (30-50 per cent), adding more reflection than eggshell. It’s also very tough – so a good choice in busy rooms where you know you’ll need to scrub often.

You can also use them for smaller features, such as kitchen cabinets, furniture and exterior woodwork (check the label for exterior grade confirmation). Satin is often described as mid-sheen, giving a blend of the benefits of gloss and matt emulsions.

Gloss paint

Sheen level: 30-50%

Where to use: All woodwork, Feature walls, Metalwork

Features: Dirt resistant, Highlight imperfections

A gloss finish reflects the most light of any on our list (60-100 per cent sheen). They’re great for ultra-demanding rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms, withstanding stains, mildew, and giving a nice shiny finish. Because of their sheen, they can be used for impactful feature walls and all interior/exterior wood and metalwork.

They can, though, be tricky to work with. Gloss finish paints highlight imperfections on walls, so you’ll want to make sure your surfaces look good before application. They’ll also show iffy brushstrokes and can be awkward to touch up if needed.

Choose the right paint

Understanding the different paint finishes is a crucial tool in your decorating arsenal. With our guide, you’ll choose the right paint products for the job. For more interior design and decorating inspiration, head to our blog today.