When transforming the look and feel of your living spaces, choosing the right interior wall paint is crucial. The number of options can be overwhelming, but fear not! In this guide, I’ll walk you through different interior wall paint finishes, highlighting their unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.
GLOSS/ SILK PAINT
Gloss wall paint is shiny and is frequently referred to as ‘silk’ paint. Historically, it used to be called gloss but super shiny wall paint has gone out of fashion in recent years so silk is the shiniest wall paint you are likely to find (year of writing: 2023).
Pros:
- High Shine: Gloss and silk paint offers a shiny, reflective finish that can brighten any room.
- Durability: It’s exceptionally durable and resistant to stains and scuffs.
- Easy to Clean: Gloss and silk paint is easy to wipe clean, making it suitable for kitchens and bathrooms.
Cons:
- Imperfections are Visible: It tends to highlight surface imperfections, so thorough surface preparation is essential.
- Strong Odor: Gloss and silk paints can smell strongly during application, so proper ventilation is necessary.
- Style: Gloss and silk paint is a bit like marmite – you either love the look or hate it. Some people associate this type of paint with public settings like hospitals, libraries and schools, which can be offputting.
Example
Click here to see the Dulux silk wall paint in Wickes for an example of what gloss/ silk paint looks like in your local DIY store. Personally, I’m not a fan of shiny wall paint, so I tend to avoid it, but we used it in our bathroom years ago in the old house, and it was indeed very durable and super easy to clean.
SATIN/ MID-SHEEN PAINT
Satin paint is less shiny than gloss but is still reflective. When buying wood paint, you will see paint actually called ‘satin’ but for walls, it will likely be called ‘mid-sheen’ or even ‘low-sheen’.
Pros:
- Subtle Sheen: Satin paint is between matte and gloss, offering a subtle sheen.
- Easy to Clean: It’s relatively easy to clean, making it a great choice for family homes.
- Suitable for Most Rooms: Satin paint is versatile and can be used in bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways. Today, it is frequently made water-resistant and marketed for bathroom use.
Cons:
- May Not Hide Imperfections: Like gloss, satin paint can accentuate surface imperfections.
Example
Click here to see an example of Crown mid-sheen emulsion for bathrooms in a lovely teal colour. I haven’t used mid-sheen paint for walls, so can’t comment on its durability.
EGGSHELL PAINT
Pros:
- Low Sheen: Eggshell paint offers a subtle sheen similar to an eggshell, creating an understated, sophisticated look. The shine level is less than that of satin paint.
- Durable: It strikes a balance between durability and elegance.
- Easy to Clean: It can be cleaned with a damp cloth, making it suitable for most rooms.
Cons:
- Not Highly Washable: While it’s more washable than matte paint, it’s less durable than gloss or satin.
- May Require Multiple Coats: Achieving full coverage might require more than one coat.
Example
Click here to see an example of Dulux eggshell wall paint in white. I haven’t used eggsshell paint for walls either, so can’t comment on its durability.
MATT PAINT
Matt paint has been around forever and in recent years has become incredibly popular. When shopping for wall paint, you are likely to see a huge array of matt paint as it is by far the most fashionable wall finish at the moment.
Pros:
- Sleek Finish: Matte paint provides a smooth, non-reflective, elegant, modern finish.
- Hides Imperfections: It’s excellent at concealing surface imperfections and is forgiving during application.
- No Glare: Perfect for spaces where you don’t want any glare from light sources.
Cons:
- Not Highly Washable: Matte paints are less washable than other finishes, making them less suitable for high-traffic areas. These days, you can buy washable matt paint, but it usually comes at a premium price.
- Can Scuff Easily: Matte paint is highly susceptible to marking – even the darker colours will mark with a touch as slight as a fingerprint.
Example
Click here to see an example of Crown matte wall paint from Wickes. Personally, I love matte paint for walls. I think it looks very on-trend. I always use the washable type but note that with lighter colours, I struggle to get the mud splashes from dogs off completely. I think gloss or mid-sheen paint is easier to clean than matte if you have messy pets.
SPECIAL EFFECTS WALL PAINT
Special effects paint is a fairly recent invention and includes finishes such as metallic, concrete, stone etc. It comes in very specific colours and textures and can usually be used for a multitude of purposes such as on walls but also on furniture. Many of these paints will still fall into the usual matt, mid-sheen and satin finish types but some are so unusual that they deserve a category of their own.
Pros:
- Unusual Finish: Comes in a range of unusual, modern finishes.
- Hides Imperfections: Depending on the finish, can be excellent for hiding imperfections.
Cons:
- Cost: Specialist paint will usually cost a fair bit more than standard emulsion.
- Fad: Because the paint can be so unusual, you may fall out of love with it quicker than your normal magnolia emulsion. For example, if you choose a glittery pink finish, you may love it for a few years and then start to get bored as fashions change. Specialist finishes are not timeless like other paint types mentioned here.
Example
Click here to see an example of Craig & Rose artisan glitter wall paint. I have used a specialist copper paint but not on walls. I used it on metal and it was not a good result but I think that’s because of the metal, not the paint, so I would definitely be curious to try this type of paint in the future on my walls.
CONCLUSION
Choosing the right interior wall paint involves considering your space’s unique needs and aesthetics. Each type of paint has its own pros and cons, so weighing them against your specific requirements is essential. Take your time, but remember, once you’ve decided on the paint finish, you get to pick the colours, which is way more fun.
Happy painting!
