"SHEDDING LIGHT" ON PAINT SHEENS

Fig & Ash Design Co.- Kitchen Paint Sheen Satin

There are lots of questions swirling around about what paint sheen should be used for walls, ceiling, cabinets, trim, etc. and frankly paint sheens can become confusing very quickly so I am "shedding light" on what paint sheens go where (and actually light has a lot to do these decisions-- PUN INTENDED).

The first question is, "What is Sheen"? When you walk into a paint store and ask for a paint color, the first question they will ask you back is what sheen do you want?? Sheen is how shiny the paint will appear and there are a number of options on the sheen spectrum.

PAINT SHEEN GUIDE

BEST FOR ceiling and low traffic walls, walls with lots natural light or very textured walls where you want to minimize the textured look. Flat Paint has no sheen and will reflect the least amount of light (Note: Some brands make Matte paint which a slight step up from Flat but less shiny than Eggshell)

BEST FOR all walls (including bedroom, living room and bathroom walls). Can also be used for kitchen cabinets if wanting a matte style look.

BEST FOR kitchen cabinets, decorative trim, interior doors, moldings

BEST FOR front door, stair railing, crown moldings and trims, interior doors (It becomes a preference related to level of shine from satin to semi-gloss. Keep in mind semi-gloss will show more imperfections)

BEST FOR walls with a smooth texture where you want to create a real impact or focal point

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PAINT SHEEN:

• Room size and Lighting: For smaller rooms and rooms lacking light, paint with a glossier finish could be a better option because it will do a better job of reflecting the light off of the walls and create an illusion of a larger room.

• Walls Textures & Imperfections: Flat or Matte finish paints are better for walls with imperfections or patches or heavy texture.

• High vs. Low Traffic Rooms: If the room is a kitchen or bathroom, you need to consider how often you will need to clean the walls and paints with some level of sheen with be a better choice.

Fig & Ash Design Co. - Kitchen Paint Sheen Eggshell

Sheen can cause light to reflect differently and alter the color and look of the paint, so this is an important factor when considering what color you choose. The more sheen you add to your paint, the more every imperfection will show and bounce off of the light in the room, so a low sheen paint would be a better option. Although, low sheen, or "low lustre" paint as they sometimes call it, is more prone to scratching and scuffing so it is not best for high traffic areas. Adding sheen creates a more protective layer (or gloss) over the paint and make it easier to clean and more appropriate for high traffic areas.

I hope this shed some light on your paint sheen decisions! If you have other questions use the comments below to ask away!

Until next time,

Brianna