Best Paint Finishes for Every Room: Matt, Silk, or Gloss?

Choosing the right paint finish is just as important as the colour. Here's your guide to matt, silk, eggshell, satin, and gloss finishes — and which rooms they work best in.

7/13/20262 min read

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When you're choosing paint, the colour gets most of the attention. But the finish you choose can be just as important — affecting how the room looks, how easy it is to clean, and how long the paint lasts. Here's a breakdown of the most common paint finishes and where to use them.

Matt

Matt paint has no sheen and gives a flat, smooth look. It's excellent at hiding surface imperfections like small dents or uneven plaster, which makes it the most popular choice for walls and ceilings in living rooms and bedrooms. The downside is that it can be harder to wipe clean without leaving marks, so it's less suited to high-traffic areas.

Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, ceilings.

Eggshell

Eggshell has a very slight sheen — similar to the surface of an egg. It sits between matt and satin in terms of durability and is easier to clean than matt while still looking relatively flat. It's a popular choice for woodwork and walls in rooms that see moderate use.

Best for: Hallways, dining rooms, woodwork in living areas.

Satin

Satin has a soft, low-level sheen that gives it a slightly more luxurious look than eggshell. It's more durable and moisture-resistant, making it well suited to kitchens and bathrooms where walls may need wiping down regularly.

Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, children's bedrooms, hallways.

Silk

Silk is similar to satin but typically has a slightly higher sheen level. It's hardwearing, washable, and reflects more light, which can help brighten up darker rooms. However, the sheen can highlight any imperfections in your walls, so good surface preparation is essential.

Best for: Rooms with good lighting, high-traffic areas, feature walls.

Gloss

Gloss paint has the highest sheen and is the most durable and moisture-resistant of all finishes. It's primarily used on woodwork such as skirting boards, door frames, window frames, and doors. It's rarely used on walls as the high shine can look stark and shows every lump and bump.

Best for: Skirting boards, doors, window frames, radiators.

Summary

Choosing the right finish comes down to the room and its function. For most walls, matt or silk is the go-to. For kitchens and bathrooms, opt for satin or silk. For woodwork, eggshell or gloss is the standard choice.