When preparing to paint, the first step is choosing a color scheme. Once colors have been chosen, you’re ready to start painting, right? Not so fast!
Paints come in a variety of finishes and picking the right one is important. Each type of paint sheen will work better for different rooms in your home. Let’s take a look at your options to better determine which will work best for you!
Matte
Matte enamel has a reflective, low-luster finish that is easy to clean and effective in hiding minor wall imperfections. It is durable and great for rooms that see low to moderate traffic.
Best for:
- Family Rooms
- Living Rooms
- Kid’s Rooms
- Bathrooms
- Dining Rooms
- Ceilings
Flat
Flat enamel has a non-reflective finish that touches up very well. It is low-sheen and is ideal for low traffic areas.
Best for:
- Family Rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining Rooms
- Ceilings
Eggshell
Eggshell enamel has a velvety soft finish that is dirt and mildew resistant. It’s great for the busier rooms of your home.
Best for:
- Family Rooms
- Living Rooms
- Bedrooms
- Kid’s Rooms
- Hallways
- Dining Rooms
Satin
Satin enamel has an easy-to-clean, pearl-like finish. It is great for areas that are exposed to moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Best for:
- Family Rooms
- Living Rooms
- Bedrooms
- Kid’s Rooms
- Hallways
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Doors
- Windows
- Trim
- Cabinets
- Shutters
- Interior Furniture
Semi-Gloss
Semi-gloss enamel has a radiant and sleek finish that is resistant to moisture and mildew.
Best for:
- Kid’s Rooms
- Hallways
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Doors
- Windows
- Trim
- Cabinets
- Shutters
High-Gloss
Hi-gloss enamel has a shiny and brilliant glass-like finish that makes it very easy to clean. It is ideal for high-use surfaces and rooms with high traffic.
Best for:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Doors
- Windows
- Trim
- Cabinets
- Shutters
- Indoor Furniture
Quick Painting Tips
- Always have a base coat applied to new and uncoated surfaces.
- With most finishes, it’s best to apply one or two thin coats before a decorative finishing coat is applied.
- Brushes and rollers are best to use when working with flat and eggshell paints.
- When painting wood floors, use a brush only.
Widespread Solutions is your neighborhood Richmond, VA commercial painting service. We are family owned and operated and have been helping our customers achieve all of their interior and exterior painting goals since 2005. If you’re having trouble deciding which paint sheen will work best for your upcoming project, or would like to inquire about our services, contact our professionals today!

In the Heat of Summer, Hiring Clean Painters Matters
When summer arrives in Richmond, life gets busy — kids are home from school, pets are indoors more often, and families are hosting, traveling or simply trying to enjoy the season without added stress. It’s also one of the most popular times of year for interior...

Selling? How Interior Painting Adds Value to Your Home
When it comes to increased home value, it can be hard to beat the ease and impact of a quality professional interior painting. If you're preparing your home to hit the market, painting can have an immediate effect on buyers from the moment they step foot inside your...

5 Paint Finishes and When to Use Them
When choosing a paint for your next home improvement project, picking a color is just one aspect of the many decisions you have to make. As you make your way down the paint aisle you’ll see words like “satin,” “eggshell,” and “matte.” What’s the difference between...