How To Pick A Paint Sheen
Picking a color can be enough of a feat for some when buying paint, but the decision of what sheen to choose can also be a bit intimidating if you’re caught in the moment unprepared. Here are a few tips to empower you to make your own decisions and eliminate some of the fear and hesitation to more forward on your project. Purchasing materials should not be an obstacle halting your own DIY magic.
Most paint lines come in 5 different sheens:
Matte
Eggshell
Satin
Semi-gloss
High-gloss
There are practical reasons for what to use where, but there is also an element of opinion and style involved too. Take these words of advice into consideration then go make your own confident decision!
Matte: The finished product has a dulled/soft texture. Matte is best in hiding blemishes and uneven surfaces. Matte does not stand up well to a proper wipe down with a wet cloth. Not friendly with dirty kid fingers.
MondayMonday Matte Opinion: I swore by matte paint before kids and when I was repainting every 6 months. Not the best paint for practical use. However, since it has the least reflection matte is great for photo backdrops or stage props, anywhere you want to disguise any reflection (ie: from flashes or stage lights).
Eggshell: The big brother to matte, but has a bit more umpff to it so it holds both a forgiving quality and a bit more sharpness to the finished texture. Eggshell is not a wipe-able surface, but can be spot cleaned much easier then matte. Mid friendly to dirty kid fingers.
MondayMonday Eggshell Opinion: My go to for walls and murals! A nice texture that differentiates itself from trim paint, but still has a bit of forgiveness in hiding blemishes and wiping up spills.
Satin: Under any sort of lighting, satin will reflect glow rings. This could be a benefit for some spaces, but not as much for others. Satin is wipe-able, but also shiny. Rated friendly to dirty kid fingers. Many people choose satin for bathroom walls due to the moisture that may accumulate, the surface can be wiped to remove excess condensation. Friendly to dirty kid fingers.
MondayMonday Satin Opinion: I rarely find a need for satin. It falls into such a middle range, it has some versatility, but not great at any one thing. I still prefer eggshell for bathrooms. If dripping moisture is a real problem, no paint is the solve all. (Actually, the glossier the paint the easier the condensation can drip, which then leads to vertical striped walls) Wha wha to satin.
Semi-gloss: Bright, smooth texture with an extra layer of durability. Great for trim paint or cabinets. Rarely intended for walls, (unless you’re going for an extreme glam style) but most popular for trim paint. Very wipe-able for dirty kid fingers.
MondayMonday Semi-gloss Opinion: My go-to for trim and cabinets, or mostly any wood surface. Lovely, fully wipe-able sheen that can handle scuffs and high traffic areas. When brushed it blends smooth, but when used with a foam roller it has the appearance of being professionally sprayed.
High-gloss: Shiny, vibrant and reflective. Very similar in quality to a semi-gloss with the main difference being the amount of gloss. Very wipe-able for dirty kid fingers.
MondayMonday High-gloss Opinion: I rarely have a need to use high-gloss. It is often associated with glamorous décor – think art deco meets marble and shiny metals. Yumm. Quite lovely, but not very many opportunities for that in my world. However, I once did a bathroom cabinet in high-gloss cobalt blue and I haven’t stopped dreaming about it since.
