Quick answer: Sheen is how much light the finish reflects. Flat hides flaws but does not clean well. Eggshell and satin are the everyday choices for walls because they wipe clean. Semi-gloss is the choice for trim, doors, kitchens and bathrooms, because it scrubs hard and reflects light.
FlatHides flaws, velvety. Use on ceilings.
EggshellA soft glow, washable. A good default for living areas.
SatinSmooth sheen, scrubs well. High-traffic walls and kitchens.
Semi-glossCrisp and very washable. Trim, doors, bathrooms.
The sheen decides how the wall looks in daylight and how it cleans.
The sheen decides how the wall looks in daylight and how it cleans.

Sheen at a glance

Sheen How it looks Cleaning Hides flaws Best for
Flat or matte Velvety, soft Poor; avoid scrubbing Excellent Ceilings, low-traffic bedrooms
Eggshell Soft glow Good; wipes clean Good Living rooms, offices, hallways
Satin Smooth sheen Very good; scrubs well Fair Kitchens, family rooms, busy walls
Semi-gloss Bright, crisp Excellent; scrubs hard Poor; shows flaws Trim, doors, bathrooms, kitchens
Pick the sheen for the room

Mostly the first two? Flat or eggshell. Mostly the middle ones? Satin. Mostly the last two? Semi-gloss.

Why sheen changes the look

Light and flaws

A glossier finish reflects light, so it shows every bump and roller mark. Flat absorbs light and hides them. That is why a flaw-free wall often needs a lower sheen, and why trim, which is handled more, needs a higher one.

Cleaning and wear

Higher sheens resist moisture and scrubbing better. The trade-off is that they show more. Pick the sheen that matches how the room is cleaned.

Colour depth

Flat finishes can look deeper in colour. Glossier finishes look brighter. Test a sample in the room to see which you prefer.

Our sheen plan for a typical home

1
Ceilings

Flat, so the light does not show the joints.
2
Living and bedroom walls

Eggshell for a soft, washable finish.
3
Kitchen and hallway walls

Satin for scrubbing and wear.
4
Trim and doors

Semi-gloss for a clean edge and easy wipe-down.
5
Bathroom walls

Satin or semi-gloss, with a moisture-resistant paint.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use semi-gloss on walls?

You can, but it shows every flaw and is harder to touch up. Use it on trim and doors, and on walls only where the scrubbing need outweighs the look.

Is eggshell or satin better for a hallway?

Satin is more washable and suits busy hallways. Eggshell is softer and suits quieter spaces. Both are good choices for daily wear.

Does sheen affect how long paint lasts?

Sheen affects cleaning and wear more than paint life. A washable sheen in a busy room means you clean it instead of repainting it.

Related searches: paint sheen explained, eggshell vs satin, semi-gloss vs satin, flat vs eggshell paint, best paint sheen for walls

Related: Painting services, where sheen is one of nine decisions.

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