The best paint for most interior woodwork is a water-based eggshell: tough enough for skirting, doors and banisters, with a soft low sheen that looks right in period and modern homes alike. Choose a satin where you want a little more polish and wipeability, such as doors, window frames and kitchen cabinets, and keep gloss for front doors and statement pieces.
Woodwork takes more knocks than any wall. Feet catch skirting boards, hands push doors, and window frames deal with condensation every winter. The right finish needs to be hard, washable and resistant to yellowing, while still looking good up close. All three brands we stock make excellent woodwork paints, and the differences come down mainly to sheen and how much preparation each one needs.
Below is our ranking of the eggshell and satin options, with the gloss and ultra-matt alternatives at the end.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colours Used: Duster (319), Dibber (312)
Our ranking: eggshell and satin for woodwork
- Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell (10 to 15% sheen). Our first choice for most homes, because it is self-priming: on sound, previously painted woodwork you clean, give it a light key and apply two coats, with no separate primer. Little Greene describe it as fully washable and stain resistant, with enhanced resistance to moisture and condensation.
- Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell (20% sheen). The flattest of Farrow & Ball's eggshells and the replacement for Estate Eggshell. Farrow & Ball rate it Class 1 for scrub resistance, the highest rating, and describe it as stain and scuff resistant and resistant to yellowing.
- Paint & Paper Library Architects' Eggshell (10 to 20% sheen). Self-priming, washable and non-yellowing, and the brand recommend it for woodwork, furniture, metalwork and radiators, including in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Little Greene Intelligent Satin and Paint & Paper Library Architects' Satin (both 30 to 35% sheen). A step up in shine and wipeability, ideal for doors, window frames and kitchen cabinetry. Paint & Paper Library describe Architects' Satin as extremely hard-wearing and designed to withstand knocks.
- Farrow & Ball Modern Eggshell (40% sheen). Farrow & Ball's toughest interior finish, scuff and stain resistant and suitable for floors and kitchen cabinets. The higher sheen makes it the most practical choice for very hard-working joinery.
Eggshell or satin?
The higher the sheen, the easier a surface is to wipe clean, and the more light it reflects. That reflection is the trade-off: it shows dents, filler and brush marks more clearly. Old, characterful joinery usually looks best in an eggshell, which softens imperfections. Smooth, modern doors and cabinets can carry a satin well.
- Skirting, architraves and panelling: eggshell.
- Doors and banisters: eggshell, or satin in a busy family home.
- Window frames and kitchen cabinets: satin, or Modern Eggshell.
- Furniture: either, as we explain in our guide to painting IKEA furniture.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colours Used: Liquorice (CB10), Broccoli Brown (198), Dove Tale (267), Marmelo (316)
Preparation makes the difference
- Clean. Wash with sugar soap to remove grease and fingerprints, rinse and let it dry.
- Key. Sand lightly to take the shine off old gloss or satin, then wipe away the dust.
- Prime where needed. Little Greene's Intelligent finishes and Paint & Paper Library's Architects' Eggshell and Satin are self-priming. For bare wood, large colour changes or deep colours, use the brand's primer: Little Greene's Intelligent ASP, Farrow & Ball's Wood Primer & Undercoat, or Paint & Paper Library's Architects' ASP.
- Two thin coats. Thin coats level better and harden faster than one heavy one.
Gloss and ultra-matt alternatives
For a high shine, Little Greene's Intelligent Gloss (87 to 90%), Farrow & Ball's Full Gloss (95%) and Paint & Paper Library's Architects' Gloss (80%) are all tough and washable, and suit front doors and smooth, flat surfaces. At the other end, Farrow & Ball's Dead Flat (2%) can be used on walls, woodwork and metal, so skirting and walls can share one completely matt finish.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colours Used: Portland Stone Pale (155), Dark Brunswick Green (88), Portland Stone Light (281)
Questions we are often asked
Can I use water-based paint over old oil-based gloss?
Yes, with preparation. Clean and sand to a dull, keyed surface first. Self-priming finishes such as Intelligent Eggshell are designed to grip previously painted surfaces once keyed.
Should woodwork match the walls?
It does not have to be white. Painting woodwork in the wall colour, or a deeper shade of it, is an easy way to make a room feel considered.
How long before I can close a painted door?
The paint is touch dry within hours, but leave doors ajar overnight and treat new paintwork gently for the first week while it hardens.
Shop Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell
Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell · Architects' Eggshell · Intelligent Satin
