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
- BEST PAINT FINISH FOR PAINTED WOOD/TONGUE & GROOVE CEILING: eggshell or satin, depending on the glow you want
Now, let’s learn a little about what you can expect from the above finishes in SHEEN or GLOSS!
By the way, 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.
The only TRULY WASHABLE paint that I trust on my walls is Benjamin Moore ScuffX. And no, I’m not paid to say that.
MATTE FINISH
5-10% gloss
Matte paint can have a 5-10% gloss finish, which makes it slightly more washable but still less durable than a shinier finish.
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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 without being as glossy as a semi-gloss.
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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.
- Older heritage 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.
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THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR THE CEILING: FLAT
In 99% of cases, a flat finish—flat or textured — is best for a traditional ceiling. Why? There are a few reasons.
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- You don’t want your ceiling reflecting light at you, and shinier finishes are reflective.
- Ceilings are often textured, and shiny paint will enhance a textured finish and 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…
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THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR WALLS IN GREAT SHAPE
- 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 washable paint like Benjamin Moore 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 DAMAGED WALLS
- As mentioned earlier, I highly recommend ScuffX. And no, I don’t get paid 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 TEXTURED WALLS
- 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).
THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR DARK PAINT COLORS (WALLS)
- 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).
By the way, 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
I’ve yet to meet a semi-gloss or high-gloss cabinet I love, even if 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 painted 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?
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SAMPLIZE peel-and-stick paint color samples are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and arrive on your door in 1 DAY!
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, 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.
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THE BEST PAINT FINISH FOR A BRICK OR STONE FIREPLACE
Brick can look abrasive when shiny yet dull when flat. For this reason, I like eggshell for a brick fireplace (more than satin).
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- If you paint your brick a dark color, eggshell finish looks best.
- If you paint your brick a light/white color, eggshell or MAYBE satin.
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, you get to decide which finish makes the most sense. Talk to your local paint store, as they can be a wealth of knowledge and may have 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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Originally written May 2017, updated 2025
Kylie, I love your blog and IG so much!! What I am learning from you is that paint sheen matters! We are renovating our primary bathroom. We have shiplap on the vaulted ceiling and also a very small wall area behind my makeup vanity. We are painting everything BM White Dove. Am I correct in my understanding:
Walls- eggshell
Shiplap wall- satin
Shiplap vaulted ceiling- satin
Doors, trim, moulding- satin
You got it, Mary!
Hi Kylie,
I painted all my walls dove white eggshell. I’m running into difficulty with my living room and kitchen which are connected but not open. The trim in the kitchen will be white, but the trim in the living room floor/ceiling will be wood. What color would go well in the kitchen trim/ceiling and living room ceiling considering I haven’t painted my cabinets yet? I was thinking chantilly lace for everything besides the walls but I saw you said to avoid mixing whites.
We are considering white dove walls and chantilly trim as well… would love to hear anyone’s feedback on this combo as well!
Hey Kerry! I can work, as long as you know White Dove will look more creamy/not as white compared to the clean white look of Chantilly Lace 🙂
Hi Kylie, a few paint sheen questions:
1. Is Sherwin-Williams ‘velvet’ sheen the same as eggshell?
2. Is it possible to change a sheen after it’s been painted? I feel like the two coats of velvet in my living are way too shiny. Would I have to repaint the room completely with flat or matte of the same color, or is there a different solution?
3. Also, I have an unopened gallon of paint in satin finish for my bathroom walls. But given that ‘velvet’ is super shiny (in my opinion), could I bring it to the store and have them lessen the sheen to a velvet finish? I used S-W Duration for this gallon.
Thanks for your blog, which I love reading.
Hi Kylie. Your eye and info have been invaluable on many occasions. Thank you!
I am hoping to find out if you still find BEHR eggshell more like a traditional satin finish and something you would not typically use on walls. Since this post is originally from June 2022 I thought I should check in to see if you have any update on this.
I was planning on painting my master bathroom walls a BEHR eggshell but now that I read your insight about the sheen… maybe matte is a better option.
Thank you!
Hi Kris! I haven’t used it in the past few years to say for sure! I DO know that Behr has a pretty bad reputation as wall paint – I mean, i LOVE it on cabinets and what not, but many people steer clear, which is one big reason why I don’t know anymore about it!
thanks for all your information as always. we are about to install t&g ceiling painted in white dove. we bought bm ceiling ultra flat and it feels awful and looks dull. would it be ok to up the sheen on a t&g ceiling to a matte or eggshell ? if so what bm product would you recommend. our walls are regal eggshell. trim is satin advance. thanks
Oh heck yes! I should put that in there, that a satin finish can be really nice on painted wood ceilings – I would go any shinier thought, but i WOULD consider eggshell for a bit less sheen – depends on the look you like :).
Hi! Long time reader and so inspired by you and your guidance. So first, THANK YOU! Second, I am doing similar in my house as yours. Settled in on Edgecomb gray at 50% lighter (it’s stunning!) some walls 18-20 feet high – did you use ScuffX all the way up or just lower where it’s more needed? I don’t have a gorilla 😉
Also, because the ScuffX matte has more shine than traditional matte paint, I wouldn’t split the walls up!
Xoxo
Lucky for you – no Gorillas! And sadly, i DIDN’T use ScuffX when I had Edgecomb Gray on my walls, but I should’ve!
Do your finish recommendations change for a 1950’s house where you want to maintain vintage charm? Would trim and cabinets for that era be Satin or Semigloss?
Oooo, that’s a VERY good question. Generally, the higher sheen makes doors and trims be a bit more noticeable, as your eye catches that sheen. If your moldings are beautiful, I would lean that way, but if you want other parts of the room to be featured, I might still swing more satin. Generally, older homes do carry a higher sheen better, but it can really depend on the size of the moldings/style of cabinet doors, etc. It can also depend on your countertop and backsplash. if they’re glossier, semi-gloss cabinets can be a LOT, whereas satin slows the energy down a bit. Does this make sense?