What paint sheen should I choose for each room?

Sheen controls how much light the paint reflects, and that creates a tradeoff between hiding flaws and cleaning easily. Flat or matte hides texture and patch marks best, which is why it suits ceilings and low-traffic rooms, but it is harder to wipe clean. That makes it a poor fit for hallways or kids' rooms. Eggshell has a soft low sheen that hides minor flaws and handles light cleaning, so it is the most common choice for interior walls.

Satin is more washable and moisture resistant than eggshell, which suits kitchens, baths and hallways. It shows roller marks and patches a little more on uneven walls, so prep counts. Semi-gloss is hard and scrubbable, which suits trim, doors and cabinets that get touched every day. It also highlights dents and sanding marks, so those surfaces need careful filling and sanding before the finish coat. Using a higher sheen on trim than on walls also gives a clean visual edge.

Look at the actual wall before deciding. A long hallway with low-angle light from a window will show every patch in a higher sheen, while a smooth wall in a bathroom can take satin without trouble. Sheen also changes how a color reads, since a shinier finish tends to look a little brighter. Every project starts with a complimentary color consultation where we talk through colors and sheens, and we can put samples on the wall so you see them in your own light.