Sheen is not just about looks — it decides how tough a finish is and how much it shows. Here is where each one belongs.
The sheen of a paint does two jobs at once: it sets the look, and it decides how hard-wearing and wipeable the surface will be. Get it wrong and a beautiful colour ends up shiny in the wrong place, or too fragile for a busy hallway. Here is the short version.
Matt — the forgiving one
A flat, non-reflective finish that hides bumps, patched filler and uneven plaster better than anything else. Perfect for ceilings and walls in bedrooms and living rooms. The trade-off is that standard matt marks more easily, though modern durable and washable matt emulsions have largely solved that for hallways and family rooms.
Eggshell and satin — the wipeable middle
A low to mid sheen that resists moisture and scrubbing, which makes them the sensible choice for kitchens, bathrooms, woodwork and anywhere that gets handled or cleaned. They show surface flaws more than matt, so preparation matters more.
Gloss — the hard-wearing classic
The toughest, shiniest finish, traditionally used on skirting, doors and window frames. It highlights every imperfection underneath, so the prep has to be spot on — but nothing beats a well-laid gloss for durability on trim.
A quick rule of thumb
- Ceilings and low-traffic walls: matt.
- Hallways, stairs and kids' rooms: durable/washable matt.
- Kitchens, bathrooms and woodwork: eggshell or satin.
- Skirting, doors and frames you want bomb-proof: gloss.
Still weighing it up? Tell us the room and how much use it gets, and we will point you to the right finish and the ranges we stock in it.
