Benjamin Moore: How to Choose an Interior Paint Sheen
Customers ask us all of the time "How do I know which interior paint sheen I should use?" This answer isn't as cut and dry as you would think it would be! Choosing the right interior paint sheen depends on a number of different factors. In this article we will cover what you should consider when choosing a Benjamin Moore paint sheen for your next painting project.
Room Traffic and Durability
The longevity and ease of cleaning of the paint finish will depend on how much use and wear and tear a room receives. It may be necessary to use a more resilient finish, such as a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish, in a high-traffic area like a hallway or kitchen. While a flat, eggshell, or satin finish may be suitable for a room with little traffic, such as a bedroom or a living room.
Room Lighting
The amount and type of lighting in a space will affect how shiny the paint finish appears to be. A room with more sheen will be visible than one with less lighting, whether it be natural or artificial light. Use a sheen with a low gloss level in rooms with lots of natural light to reduce glare.
Purpose of the Room
The best paint sheen will depend on the different purposes that various rooms in the house serve. Living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways are better suited to a low-sheen finish like flat or eggshell finish, which is better suited to kitchens and bathrooms and is easier to clean.
Personal Sheen Preferences
The final sheen decision will be based on your preferences. Flat or eggshell finishes work best for those who prefer a more matte appearance, while satin or pearl finishes are best for those who prefer a hint of shine. It's not unheard of people who want to use high/semi gloss and satin paints on walls, it's really up to you!
Old Paint? No problem Match or Repaint!
If you're repainting a room, make an effort to match the sheen of the current paint as closely as you can. This will make it more likely that the new paint will blend in and look uniform with the old paint. If you want to change the sheen and or color, you can easily prime the room and repaint it with any sheen you would like.
Additionally, it's crucial to keep in mind that Benjamin Moore offers a variety of paint sheens, including flat, matte, eggshell, pearl, satin, and semi-gloss; each has unique properties and behaves differently on various surfaces. Always test a small amount of paint before committing to the entire project. This will allow you to see how the paint appears and behaves in the room's lighting and will give you a better idea of the outcome.
Where Should I use Flat/Matte Finish Paint?
(Low Sheen - Difficult to clean - Hides imperfections)
A type of paint finish without gloss or sheen is called flat or matte paint,. As a result, it is frequently a wise decision for rooms in a house like bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms that do not experience a lot of wear and tear.
Advantages of Flat and Matte Paint
One key advantage of using flat or matte paint is that since it does not reflect light as similarly as paint with gloss or sheen would, it can be a good option for covering up wall imperfections. As a result, it is frequently applied to surfaces with a lot of wall imperfections or unevenness.
An Ideal Choice for Ceilings
Flat or Matte paint is also ideal for ceilings because it won't draw attention to flaws and doesn't reflect as much light. It's also a popular option for accent walls because it produces a more dramatic appearance than a finish that is glossier would.
It's important to remember that paint with a flat or matte finish can be more difficult to clean than paints with a gloss or sheen. As a result, it is not advised for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, or rooms with a lot of children or pets.
Where Should I use Eggshell Finish?
(Medium Sheen - Average to Clean - Average at Hiding imperfections)
On walls and trim in residential settings, eggshell paint is a common type of paint finish. Because of its slight sheen, which resembles the surface of an eggshell, the finish is known as "eggshell." Eggshell paint is frequently a wise choice for rooms in a house that experience moderate wear and tear, such as hallways, living rooms, and bedrooms, because of this light sheen.
Eggshell paint is a great option for areas that may get dirty, such as the kitchen and bathrooms, because it is also simple to clean. While a shower or tub surround are examples of high-moisture areas where it is not recommended.
Where Should I use Semi-Gloss Finish Paint?
(High-Sheen - Easy to Clean - Poor at Hiding Imperfections)
The fact that semi-gloss paint is relatively simple to clean is one of its main advantages. The paint's slight gloss or sheen helps to make it more stain and smudge resistant, making it a good option for rooms in the house that might get dirty or get a lot of use. For instance, it can be a great option in the kitchen where cooking and food spills occur frequently because it will make cleaning up spills and stains easier.
Great choice for Trim and Millwork
For trim work, such as baseboards, crown molding, door frames, and window sills, semi-gloss paint is also a good choice. The slight gloss of the paint can help to draw attention to the trim's finer details and make them stand out more.
Easy to clean
It's also beneficial for spaces like laundry rooms, and kitchens that must be cleaned frequently or are frequently exposed to moisture.
In general, semi-gloss paint is a wise choice for any room in your house that receives moderate to heavy use and necessitates frequent cleaning.
