Yes, most home builders use flat "builder-grade" paint for the interior walls of new construction. It is incredibly cheap, applies easily, and hides imperfections like poor drywall finishing or settling cracks. However, flat paint scuffs easily and is difficult to clean.
Builders love flat paint because it hides imperfections. It camouflages bad drywall seams, patchy mud work, and uneven texture, making everything look “finished” fast.
Flat paint (or matte finish) is highly porous and lacks protective resins, making it highly susceptible to scuffs, stains, and moisture. It is notoriously difficult to clean, as scrubbing can strip the pigment or leave a chalky residue. Because it absorbs rather than repels dirt, it generally isn't suited for high-traffic zones.
Builders use flat (or matte) paint primarily because its lack of shine hides drywall imperfections, scuffs, and texture flaws. It is also highly forgiving for quick touch-ups without leaving visible overlap or roller marks. This makes it a highly cost-effective and efficient way to deliver a uniform finish.
Common paints used in building construction include emulsion (water-based for interior/exterior walls), enamel (durable, glossy for wood/metal), cement (affordable for exterior concrete), and bituminous (waterproof for foundations). These, along with acrylics and epoxies, protect against corrosion, water, and weather.
You could paint in the first 6 months but you would have to use a contract emulsion such as Dulux Supermatt. This is because cracks can appear as the structure settles and the building materials dry out fully in the walls, ceilings, doors, skirting and other trim.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
Eggshell finish: The versatile middle ground
Slightly more durability than flat paint. A subtle, warm glow that doesn't create glare. Good coverage of minor wall imperfections. Versatility for living rooms, hallways, and adult bedrooms.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Warm, nature-inspired off-whites and "greiges" (a balance of gray and beige) are the most popular wall colors right now. Homeowners are moving away from stark, cold grays in favor of soft, inviting tones that make spaces feel cozy and bright.
Lifespan of Interior Paint
Here's a general overview: Flat and Matte Finishes: Usually last about 5 to 7 years. These finishes are ideal for lower-traffic areas like bedrooms or formal dining rooms but are less resistant to scuffs and stains. Eggshell and Satin Finishes: Typically last between 5 to 10 years.
“Flat finishes tend to look richer and darker because they absorb light in a space. So you may find the color you like on the chip looks darker once it's on the wall.”
BEHR ULTRA SCUFF DEFENSE features breakthrough innovation to deliver a rich flat finish that is truly durable enough for high-traffic areas. This low-reflective flat finish is easy to clean, touches up well and hides minor surface imperfections.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Eggshell is the most common and popular paint finish for interior walls. It offers a soft, low-luster sheen that is easier to clean and more durable than flat/matte paints, while still being forgiving enough to hide minor drywall imperfections.
Flat paint is a non-reflective, matte finish primarily used on ceilings and low-traffic interior walls, such as bedrooms and formal dining rooms. It absorbs light rather than bouncing it, making it the best choice for hiding surface flaws like drywall seams, dents, and texture irregularities.
There are three main types of “impossible” colors: Forbidden colors. These are colors our eyes simply cannot process because of the antagonistic way our cones work, for instance “red-green” or “yellow-blue.”
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
Here are five paint colors that real estate professionals and designers consistently recommend to help homes sell faster and for more:
Flat paint has a chalky appearance in finish, absorbs light, and can make a color look slightly lighter than the swatch color. Glossy paint will typically make a color look darker because the sheen will reflect the light, causing the color to be darker.
Key Points
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.
Interior designers are moving away from stark cool whites, "millennial gray," and heavily saturated accent colors. These rigid hues can make spaces feel cold or clinical. The shift is toward warmer, earthy, and highly nuanced tones that prioritize depth and coziness.
Blue: calmness, serenity, peace
Blue has the opposite effects of red and is the most soothing color. Primary blue is used in therapeutic settings for meditation and relaxation because it helps you unwind, find peace, and become more comfortable expressing your inner feelings.
Joanna Gaines’ favorite gray paint colors span from soft, silvery sage grays to moody charcoals. Her top picks offer timeless versatility that complements both modern and rustic spaces.