Although a flat finish is most popular, more ceiling
BUT, flat paint is recommended for ceilings and very low traffic areas for a reason. It's not as durable or easy to clean as eggshell or other higher sheen paints. So if you have pets or kids (or even husbands) that touch or bump into walls, flat paint will easily mar.
For ceilings, a flat or matte finish with water-based or latex paint is ideal for minimizing glare and hiding imperfections. For walls, the best choice depends on the desired look: Flat or matte for a smooth appearance. Eggshell or satin for a subtle sheen and durability. Semi-gloss or gloss for high-traffic areas.
Favorite whites for ceilings include White Dove OC-17, Cloud White OC-130 and Decorator's White OC-149.
Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.
Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why we chose this as our ultimate finish for walls. The name eggshell stems from the fact the finish appears mostly flat with just a touch of luster... similar to a chicken egg!
The Magic of Paint
Go for a bright white ceiling, and when we say bright, we mean bright! It will create a reflective surface, which reflects more light to give the illusion of increased height. While you're at it, make your walls the same lighter color to blur the boundaries between the wall and the ceiling.
Sherwin Williams Extra White SW 7006 / LRV: 86
It's one of Sherwin Williams' most popular paint colors—in fact, most painters give their clients Extra White if they don't know what trim paint white color to use. Many builders also use Extra White as their standard base trim color.
A pure white with a bit gray undertone, Nano White is perfect for crisp, clean walls, trim, and ceilings. A white with subtle nuances of greige, Silky White is a balanced shade that enriches almost any color scheme.
I think that most people would agree that matt is more desirable on walls and ceilings in terms of aesthetics, but it isn't as durable as eggshell. Eggshell generally looks better on woodwork, but there are times when you need to blend plaster with wood, and eggshell just won't look right.
The most popular type of ceiling texture is the knockdown texture. The knockdown texture is modern and helps conceal minor imperfections in the ceiling. It also adds an appearance of extra dimension to a room. What are alternatives to drywall ceilings?
Flat paint is typically recommended for gyprock and fibro ceilings. Avoid flat paint in mould prone areas, woodwork or areas that will be regularly touched. The lower the sheen level the easier it is to hide imperfection. This is because flat paint reflects minimal light.
Most ceiling paints have a flat (or matte) finish. A flat finish doesn't reflect lights and will hide most irregularities and defects in the ceiling. On the other hand, reflective sheens draw the eye upward and can detract from the rest of the room. Another benefit of a flat finish is that it doesn't scuff easily.
Eggshell paint is more reflective, with a subtle sheen that gives richness and depth to walls. Flat paint has a clean, matte look that does not reflect light and hides surface imperfections well.
Paint rollers are very popular, especially when painting large areas of space like walls or ceilings. They are much quicker to use than brushes, covering the area in a fraction of the time. Plus, when used properly can create a smooth, even finish.
Builders do not like to have to paint walls edge to edge, so they use flat paint. During the building process, there are many trades that come into the home and damage the paint job. This makes it easier to fix.
Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)
This color is apparently used in Joanna Gaines' farmhouse, and frequently used in Fixer Upper episodes. Since everything Jo Jo touches is magic, I had to try this one out! This was the runner up to White Dove for us. It is a soft warm off-white, with a neutral base.
Ceilings should almost always be painted in a flat, matte acrylic paint. The reason for this is that: Flat paint will not reflect light or draw attention away from the wall and room furnishings. Ceilings don't receive much wear and tear, so a glossy, durable paint is not necessary.
How to Choose Ceiling Paint Colors. As a general rule, ceilings that are lighter in tone than the walls feel higher, while darker colors will make the ceiling feel lower. But that doesn't necessarily mean the room will feel claustrophobic. Visually lowered ceilings can evoke a cozy, intimate feeling.
You may need to set up scaffolding for high entry or living room ceilings. And you may need extension ladders. If you do not own these, you should be able to rent them. For corners and edges, use painter's tape to achieve clean lines.
While you can use eggshell paint on ceilings, and it does offer benefits in terms of durability and looks, it's not always the best choice. When you're deciding whether to use eggshell paint on your ceiling, think about what you really need, what shape your ceiling is in, and how you want your room to look overall.
Short or medium pile microfibre mini rollers are the best when applying water-based, woodwork paints, such as Quick Dry Eggshell, Quick Dry Satinwood or Quick Dry Gloss. Avoid using foam mini rollers when applying Quick Dry products, as these can cause paint bubbles to form when rolled onto the surface.