Choose a matt finish for walls and ceilings, an eggshell for woodwork, and a satin or gloss only where you want extra shine or toughness, such as doors, window frames and kitchen cabinets. Within that, the more a surface is touched, knocked or splashed, the more durable the finish should be. That simple rule covers most rooms in most houses.
A paint's finish, or sheen, is how much light it reflects. A flat matt reflects almost none and gives colour a soft, chalky depth. A gloss reflects most of it and looks crisp and hard. In between, eggshell and satin balance appearance with practicality. The same colour can look noticeably different in each, so the finish deserves as much thought as the shade.
Here is a straightforward way to decide.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colours Used: Setting Plaster (231), Wimborne White (239), Babouche (223)
What sheen means in practice
- Matt (around 2 to 7% sheen). Soft, flat and forgiving of uneven walls. The richest look for colour.
- Eggshell (around 10 to 40%). A gentle sheen, tougher and more wipeable than matt. The usual choice for woodwork.
- Satin (around 30 to 35%). A noticeable sheen and very hard-wearing, for joinery that takes heavy use.
- Gloss (80% and above). High shine and very tough, but it shows every imperfection underneath.
Each brand has its own figures. Farrow & Ball's Estate Emulsion and Dead Flat are 2%, their Flat Eggshell 20% and Modern Eggshell 40%. Little Greene's Intelligent Eggshell is 10 to 15% and Intelligent Satin 30 to 35%. Paint & Paper Library's Architects' Gloss is 80%.
Walls and ceilings
Matt is the default for walls and ceilings. The question is how washable it needs to be.
- Quiet rooms such as bedrooms, sitting rooms and dining rooms: a chalky matt, such as Little Greene's Absolute Matt Emulsion, Farrow & Ball's Estate Emulsion or Paint & Paper Library's Pure Flat Emulsion.
- Busy rooms such as hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and playrooms: a washable matt, such as Little Greene's Intelligent Matt Emulsion, Farrow & Ball's Modern Emulsion or Paint & Paper Library's Architects' Matt.
Photo Credit: Paint & Paper Library; Colours Used: Stone I (201), Stone II (202), Stone V (205), Moleskin (218)
Woodwork, doors and furniture
Skirting, architraves, doors and window frames take far more wear than walls, so they need a harder finish.
- Eggshell is the natural choice for most interior woodwork: durable, wipeable and understated.
- Satin adds polish and toughness for doors, window frames and kitchen cabinets.
- Gloss suits front doors and smooth, flat surfaces where you want shine.
Little Greene's Intelligent finishes are self-priming, which makes them a good choice for furniture as well as joinery, as we explain in our guide to painting IKEA furniture.
A quick decision guide
- Is it a wall or ceiling? Choose a matt. If it will be touched, splashed or cleaned often, make it a washable matt.
- Is it woodwork or metal indoors? Choose an eggshell. Go up to satin for heavy use or a little more shine.
- Do you want walls and woodwork to blend? Use a multi-surface ultra-matt such as Farrow & Ball's Dead Flat across both, which suits colour drenching.
- Is it outside? Choose an exterior finish made for the surface: see our exterior paints.
- Are the surfaces uneven? Lower sheens hide more. Save gloss for smooth, well-prepared surfaces.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colours Used: Royal Navy (257), Urbane Grey (225)
Questions we are often asked
Does the finish change the colour?
Slightly. Higher sheens reflect more light, so the same colour can look a little lighter and crisper in eggshell or satin than in matt. Sample pots are poured in a matt finish, so allow for this on woodwork.
Can I use matt on woodwork?
Yes, if it is designed for it. Farrow & Ball's Dead Flat is made for walls, woodwork and metal. Many wall emulsions are not made for skirting and doors, so check the surfaces each product is recommended for.
Which finish is best for a kitchen or bathroom?
A washable matt on the walls and an eggshell or satin on woodwork and cabinets.
Shop Interior Paint
Intelligent Eggshell · Farrow & Ball Dead Flat · Architects' Matt
