Sheen is how shiny the dried paint is, and it matters almost as much as the colour. Higher sheens are tougher and easier to clean, but they show every bump and patch on the wall. Lower sheens hide flaws but are less scrubbable. Names vary a little between brands, but here is the general scale.
The sheen scale, from least to most shine
- Flat: no shine, and hides imperfections best. Ideal for ceilings.
- Matte: a soft, velvety look. Many modern premium mattes are fairly washable.
- Eggshell: a low, subtle glow. The most popular all-round wall finish.
- Satin / pearl: a bit more shine and very durable. Great for busy, humid rooms.
- Semi-gloss: noticeably shiny and very hard-wearing. The classic choice for trim and doors.
- Gloss: high shine, for statement doors and accents. It shows every flaw.
Room-by-room recommendations
| Room / surface | Our usual pick |
|---|---|
| Ceilings | Flat |
| Living and dining rooms | Matte or eggshell |
| Bedrooms | Matte or eggshell |
| Hallways, stairwells, kids' rooms | Eggshell or satin (scrubbable) |
| Kitchens | Eggshell or satin |
| Bathrooms and laundry rooms | Satin, ideally in a moisture- and mildew-resistant product |
| Trim, baseboards and interior doors | Semi-gloss or satin enamel |
| Kitchen cabinets | Satin or semi-gloss in a hard-curing cabinet enamel |
| Front door | Semi-gloss or gloss |
| Exterior siding | Low-lustre or satin exterior acrylic |
A few tips
- Older walls? Plaster or patched walls in older Niagara homes look smoother in a matte finish.
- Rentals: landlords usually do best with eggshell walls and semi-gloss trim in a consistent colour. It's easy to touch up between tenants.
- Mixing sheens is normal. Walls in eggshell and trim in semi-gloss make a nice crisp contrast.
- Touch-ups blend best in lower sheens. Shiny paint makes patches more visible.
Still unsure? We'll recommend sheens for every surface during your free estimate, and they're written into the quote. Learn more about our residential painting and commercial painting, or read how to prep for painting day.
Get your fixed-price estimate
We're a family-owned painting company based in Niagara Falls. Every job gets one fixed price on a written estimate, with no hourly billing. Request your free estimate or email loveatfirstcoatpaintingco@gmail.com. We're available Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm.
We paint across the region, including Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Fort Erie, Grimsby, Port Colborne, Thorold, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Lincoln & Beamsville and Pelham & Fonthill.
