Paint: Selecting the Right Finish for Each Room

Paint: Selecting the Right Finish for Each Room

Colour is not the only way to add character to a room, there are also paint finishes. Flat, high-gloss, and every sheen in between, for bathrooms or for mouldings – it can be hard to know what is best. Here are a few tips to help you see clearly.

Before buying your paint, you should ask yourself: Which room do I want to paint? Does this room require frequent cleaning? What is the brightness? What is the desired effect?

Once you have the answers, you will be able to determine the finish, which means the measure of how much light reflects off a painted surface, that you need. The more a finish is glossy, the more it reflects light and looks shiny. The glossy finish is more resistant to stains, which is useful in high-traffic areas, but is more subject to highlight the imperfections. The more a finish is matte, the less it reflects light. This type of finish is referred to as flat. As it is not the easiest to clean, it is better for rooms where walls are not touched often, such as bedrooms and living rooms. Matte paint provides excellent hide, which is useful for walls with imperfections. Between flat and high gloss, there are other paint finishes with different levels of sheen, namely eggshell, pearl, satin and semi-gloss.

Bedroom and living room

As walls in bedrooms and living rooms are less likely to get dirty, a matte or eggshell finish is a good option. It provides rooms with a sophisticated and soft look, especially when deep shades are used. To create an all-enveloping effect, painting the ceiling and the walls with a matte paint of the same colour is an excellent choice.

Bathroom and kitchen

For sensitive surfaces that require frequent cleaning, such as bathroom and kitchen walls and cabinets, a glossy finish is preferable. As the humidity level is higher in those rooms, it is recommended to use a moisture and mould resistant paint. There are paints made specifically for kitchens and bathrooms: they are ultra-washable in case of tomato sauce or toothpaste splashes.

Entrance hall and hallways

For the entrance hall and the hallways, where we tend to lean on the walls, it is better to choose a satin or semi-gloss finish, as it reflects very little light and is easily washable.

Kid bedroom and playroom

These rooms must be cleaned quite often, as you probably know. A pearl or a semi-gloss finish is a good option as it is resistant to repeated washing and scrubbing, without being too glossy.

Basement and garage

In darker areas that require regular cleaning, such as a basement and a garage, a high gloss finish is well suited as it bounces light and is ultra-washable.

Mouldings, doors, etc.

To highlight certain architectural details of your home, namely mouldings, woodwork, frames and doors, the soft-gloss finish is perfect. It has a low light reflection and allows easy cleaning for surfaces that tend to gather dust.