Paint Finishes Explained
Walk into any decorating shop and you'll find five or six different finishes on the shelf. The finish refers to how shiny or matte the dried paint is — and it matters more than most people realise. The wrong finish in the wrong room can make a wall harder to clean, highlight imperfections, or just look wrong.
Matt / Flat Finish
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, ceilings
Sheen level: None
Matt paint absorbs light rather than reflecting it, which hides wall imperfections well and gives a clean, modern look. The trade-off is that it's harder to wipe clean — marks tend to smear rather than wipe off. Avoid in kitchens, bathrooms and hallways where walls take a lot of knocks.
Eggshell
Best for: Living rooms, hallways, woodwork
Sheen level: Low
Eggshell has a very slight sheen — named after the subtle lustre of an eggshell. It's more washable than matt and works well in moderate-traffic areas. Increasingly popular as an alternative to silk because it looks more sophisticated on walls while still being practical.
Satin
Best for: Hallways, kitchens, children's rooms, woodwork
Sheen level: Medium
Satin finishes sit between eggshell and silk. They're durable, washable and handle moisture reasonably well. A good all-rounder for busy rooms where walls get touched, scuffed and occasionally splashed.
Silk / Semi-Gloss
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms
Sheen level: High
Silk finishes are easy to wipe down and resist moisture well. The downside is they reflect light strongly, which shows up every bump and imperfection in the wall surface. If your walls aren't perfectly smooth, silk will make that obvious.
Gloss
Best for: Skirting boards, door frames, radiators, external woodwork
Sheen level: Very high
Gloss is the most durable and moisture-resistant finish, which is why it's used on woodwork and metalwork. It's rarely used on walls. Modern water-based gloss is easier to apply than traditional oil-based gloss and doesn't yellow over time.
Quick Reference Table
| Finish | Sheen | Washable | Best rooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt | None | Poor | Bedrooms, living rooms |
| Eggshell | Low | Good | Living rooms, hallways |
| Satin | Medium | Very good | Kitchens, hallways, kids rooms |
| Silk | High | Excellent | Bathrooms, kitchens |
| Gloss | Very high | Excellent | Woodwork, metalwork |
If you're unsure, ask your decorator — they'll tell you what finish is right for the condition of your walls and how the room is used. Get free quotes from local decorators here.