The Best Paint Finish for Walls, Ceilings, Trims, Doors & More…

PAINT FINISHES 101

Not sure which paint finish is best for your surface? Once you determine your needs, it can be easier to figure out which sheen is best (excluding Charlie; he’s a hot mess).

For example…

• you sometimes get minor scuffs on your walls = you need wipeability

• you have four kids, three dogs, two gorillas, and a donkey in your home, and you need a Hazmat suit to wipe down your walls = you need washability

• you have textured or damaged walls = you should consider sheen

In this photo, there are four different paintable surfaces with different needs

First, I’ll give you a quick n’ dirty summary. HOWEVER, please take the time to read the rest of this blog post, as it has IMPORTANT information and considerations!

BEST PAINT FINISH FOR CEILINGS: flat

BEST PAINT FINISH FOR TRIMS, DOORS & MOULDINGS: satin

BEST PAINT FINISH FOR WALLS: matte or eggshell

BEST PAINT FINISH FOR CABINETS: satin

BEST PAINT FINISH FOR PAINTED BRICK: eggshell

Now, let’s learn a little about what you can expect in SHEEN or GLOSS from the above finishes!

BTW – there is variation in percentages between finishes, brands, and paint lines – these are approximate numbers. 

FLAT FINISH PAINT

0-5% gloss

Flat paint has little to no sheen. Because of this, it’s usually not washable or even very wipeable. Some higher-end brands have some luck with basic washability (Benjamin Moore Aura and Sherwin Williams Emerald), but I’m skeptical over the long term for high-use areas. I’ve found the only TRULY WASHABLE paint is Benjamin Moore ScuffX.

MATTE FINISH

5-10% gloss

Matte paint can have a 5-10% gloss finish, making it slightly more washable but still not as durable as a shinier finish.

EGGSHELL FINISH

10-25% VISIBLE SHEEN

An eggshell finish is similar to an actual eggshell, not flat, not shiny – kind of in-between.

SATIN OR PEARL FINISH

25-35% VISIBLE GLOSS

Satin or pearl is the next step up from eggshell. Satin/pearl has a reasonable amount of sheen to it without being as glossy as a semi-gloss.

Satin finish (and glossier finishes) can slightly brighten and enhance color compared to flat and eggshell finishes (due to light reflectance).

SEMI-GLOSS FINISH

70-85% VISIBLE SHEEN

This one has some kick to it with a sheen level that will reflect light back into your room.

The white barn door is shinier than it needs to be

HIGH GLOSS

85%+ VISIBLE SHEEN

This is the full meal deal in the sheen world. A high gloss finish adds drama and impact and has supreme washability. I usually find it to be way more than is necessary, and prefer satin or semi-gloss.

The sheen on this door is so strong; it’s distracting

However, the sheen is irrelevant if you buy crappy paint. The better quality your paint is, the more durable your finish should be  – a la moi

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at what you could use in your own home.

THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR TRIMS, DOORS & MOLDINGS

SATIN/PEARL

Hands down, satin is the most popular finish for any trims, doors, and mouldings. Why is it so popular? It’s washable without being overly glossy.

• old homes look fabulous with a semi-gloss trim but can easily handle a satin finish

• newer or modern homes tend to suit a satin finish

• shiny finishes can expose flaws, so make sure your trim is in tip-top shape – the same goes for your painting skills

• the photo above shows a satin finish

The 3 Colors I Would NEVER Paint My Trim or Cabinets

The 10 Questions You Need to Ask BEFORE You Hire a Painter! 

THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR THE CEILING: FLAT

In 99% of cases, a flat finish is best for a ceiling. Why? There are a few reasons…

8 Ideas: How to Make a Low Ceiling Look Higher

• you don’t want your ceiling reflecting light at you, and shinier finishes are reflective
• ceilings are often textured, and a textured finish will be enhanced with shiny paint, as will any flaws and imperfections
• if you have white trim, a matching white ceiling makes a good visual connection
• if you have wood trim, there’s more of a chance your ceiling could handle a non-white (50/50)

Not sure what color to paint your ceiling? I’ve got you covered…

PART 1: Should My Ceiling Match My Trim or Walls?

PART 2: The Best Paint Colors for Ceilings: White, Medium, & Dark

PART 3: How to Deal With An Angled Ceiling

PART 4: What Color To Paint a Tray Ceiling

PART 5: What Color Should You Paint a HIGH Ceiling

THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR WALLS: MATTE OR EGGSHELL

When it comes to walls, there are many considerations…

The best paint finish for walls that are in great shape – matte or eggshell

• If your walls are smooth and in good condition, and you don’t have kids or dogs, you can definitely consider a quality matte finish.
• If your walls are smooth and in good condition, and you DO have kids, dogs, or a spouse with Dorito fingers, you may want an eggshell finish. A great alternative is ScuffX in matte finish, as it’s far more washable than the average paint (it’s the only paint I’ll use in my home in the future).

The best paint finish for walls that are damaged or uneven – matte or eggshell

• As mentioned earlier, I highly recommend ScuffX. And no, I don’t get paid anything to say that (I pay myself in Starbucks, white wine, and personal high-fives) – I just love its washability and overall finish.
• Any sheen will expose flaws on your walls. While ScuffX matte has a particular sheen at a certain ANGLE, its overall look is very muted.
• However, if you have kids/dogs/spouse/gorilla, you may need to sacrifice that low sheen for some wipeability with eggshell (IF you aren’t using ScuffX).

The best paint finish for heavily textured walls – matte 

• The great thing about textured walls is that the texture will help disguise any fingerprints, smudges, etc…
• If you’re worried about washability, you can use eggshell, but it will slightly enhance the look of your textured areas. Again, check out ScuffX (yes, I am passive-aggressive).

If you’re painting your walls a dark color – matte

• If you’re painting a medium or dark-toned color (feature wall or whole room), it can look tacky with too much sheen (there are few exceptions). Ideally, you would use a washable matte finish (this doesn’t apply to cabinets – only walls).

BTW, the only eggshell finish that is REALLY different is Behr’s, which is more like a satin finish (I would use it for furniture or trim, not walls, personally).

THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR KITCHEN CABINETS & VANITIES: SATIN

I’ve yet to meet a semi-gloss or high-gloss cabinet that I love UNLESS it’s on a flat panel cabinet in a more modern setting. Satin is almost ALWAYS the best finish for cabinets (some brands refer to it as ‘Pearl’.

In the above photo, look to the left of the island to see the sheen level of Benjamin Moore Advance – satin finish. Check out more of these painted maple cabinets.

• A satin finish is great for washability, without reflecting my purdy lil face back at me. I have done some furniture pieces in semi-gloss, and they looked sharp but were too reflective. Again, the shinier the paint is, the more you will see flaws, so if you’re painting your own cabinets, satin will have a bit more forgiveness than semi-gloss for a less-than-perfect job.

Should you really paint your cabinets white? And if so, which white is best?

Painting Kitchen Cabinets: How to Pick the Best Color

SAMPLING PAINT COLORS WITH PEEL & STICK

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Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR YOUR FRONT DOOR: SATIN

When it comes to the front door, satin is usually a safe bet. Why?

• Direct natural light can expose flaws such as dents, scuffs, brush and roller marks. Add a glossy finish to this, and it’ll be a hot mess.

• Dark colors in a glossy finish can be a bit garish if not suited to the home.

• Flat or eggshell finishes can look chalky on the front door and aren’t washable enough for the wear and tear that doors get.

• Satin finish on the front door is my fave. Wipeable, classy – not glassy.

What are the Best Paint Colors for My Front Door?

THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR A BRICK OR STONE FIREPLACE: EGGSHELL

Brick can look abrasive when shiny yet dull when flat. For this reason, I like eggshell for a brick fireplace (more than satin).

• If you paint your brick a dark color, eggshell finish looks best.

• If you’re painting your brick a light/white color, eggshell or MAYBE satin.

5 Easy Fireplace Update Ideas

A FEW MORE TIPS

• The more coats of paint you put on, the more sheen you will get. What looked eggshell at TWO coats can look shinier at FIVE!

• The quality of your brush and roller matters DESPERATELY! Invest well.

At the end of the day, it’s up to YOU as to which finish makes the most sense. Talk to your local paint store as they can be a wealth of knowledge and may know a few tips particular to your region.

Well, that about covers it! If you’re considering hiring a painter, I highly recommend you read this: The 10 Questions You Need to Ask BEFORE Hiring a Painter!

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READ MORE

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Originally written May 2017, updated 2022