Should interior walls be eggshell or satin?

Author: Mrs. Daniela Klein  |  Last update: Friday, June 20, 2025

Eggshell Enamel has a soft, velvety appearance and is a good choice for moderate traffic areas such as living rooms. Satin Enamel has a soft pearl-like appearance, and is a great choice for painting moderate to high traffic areas or areas that have some exposure to moisture, such as kitchens or baths.

Is satin or eggshell better for interior walls?

If you feel like the walls will get dirty and need to be wiped down often, you are better off with satin because it is more cleanable. If wear and tear isn't a concern, I prefer the way eggshell finish looks on walls since it has less of a sheen. But if you like a bit of sheen, satin may be the best choice for you.

What is the best sheen for interior walls?

A satin or semi-gloss sheen is ideal, as it can withstand moisture. Imperfections: If you're looking to cover or hide imperfections, flat or eggshell finishes are best. Durability: Areas with high traffic or exposure to moisture require more durable finishes, such as semi-gloss or satin.

When should you not use eggshell paint?

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.

Is satin too shiny for walls?

Is satin paint too shiny for walls? In most cases, satin paint isn't too shiny for walls. In fact, satin is likely the glossiest sheen that will work on walls. However, if you're looking to hide imperfections on your walls, opting for a flatter finish will be better.

PAINT SHEEN GUIDE | What Paint Finish Should You Use? | How to Choose Paint

What are the disadvantages of eggshell paint?

Cons:
  • May not provide as much reflectivity as satin paint, which can make smaller rooms feel more cramped.
  • Not as suitable for creating a modern or contemporary look due to its low sheen finish.
  • May require more coats than satin paint to achieve full coverage.

Do designers use flat or eggshell paint?

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!

What rooms should have eggshell paint?

Where to Use Eggshell Paint. Eggshell paint is ideal for walls in medium-to-high-traffic areas, such as bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. While generally used on walls, eggshell paint can also be used on trim, molding, and skirting boards.

Should bedroom walls be flat or satin?

For low-traffic areas like bedrooms, go for flat or eggshell finishes. They're elegant and don't shine too much. But if you're tackling high-traffic spots like hallways or kitchens, satin or semi-gloss finishes are the way to go. They're durable and easy to clean, perfect for those inevitable messes.

Should I use a roller or brush for eggshell paint?

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.

What paint do most professional painters use?

Professional painters frequently utilize premium paints, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, for their work. Sherwin-Williams is widely regarded as one of the top paint brands, providing a broad range of premium quality paints, including environmentally friendly options.

What sheen do professional painters use?

Eggshell is the most commonly used sheen for interior walls.

Is Sherwin Williams satin the same as eggshell?

Satin and low-lustre paints have a slightly higher sheen than eggshell finishes. Paints in this category are warmer and provide a greater appearance of depth than flat paints. They also resist stains better than flat paints.

What is the most popular paint finish for interior walls?

One of the most popular types of wall paint, eggshell finish provides a low sheen and a soft, smooth finish just like a true eggshell. Perfect for low- to mid-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, entryways and family rooms.

What color hides imperfections best?

Color Considerations

We all know that lighter colors emphasize imperfections while darker colors hide them. This also has to do with light and reflection. Lighter colors reflect more light while darker shades absorb it.

Can you use eggshell paint on interior walls?

Eggshell paints are ideal for low to medium traffic rooms, such as living rooms. Eggshell paint is generally used on walls, however it can still be used on trim such as skirting boards, especially with interiors that want a modern look!

Should I paint my living room in eggshell or satin?

Because of its durability and sheen, satin is perfect for walls in high-traffic areas or spaces that require frequent cleaning. To achieve its higher sheen, satin has more binders than eggshell paint, which enhances its durability, elasticity, and scuff resistance.

Why do contractors use flat paint?

Poor quality of some trades, like drywall contractors, or framers, can make imperfections pop out if there is a sheen in the paint. Using flat paint keeps imperfections from being so noticeable.

Is satin too shiny for bedroom?

Use satin paint for higher-traffic areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways. Because it contains more gloss than eggshell or matte, it's also more durable. As a result, satin is a perfect finish for a kids' bedroom, mudroom, or foyer.

Is eggshell too shiny for bedroom?

Homeowners often opt for eggshell paint in living rooms, dining room, and bedrooms, where a bit of sheen is desirable for visual interest and maintaining a clean look. Additionally, eggshell paint tends to hold up well over time, providing a durable and attractive option for various interior spaces.

Why is eggshell paint so popular?

Eggshell paint offers a soft sheen that adds elegance and is more washable than flat paint, making it ideal for moderate-traffic areas.

What paint is best for living room walls?

We advice that when painting the living room, you use eggshell and satin sheens. While flat paint is best for hiding surface imperfections and is easy to touch up, satin sheens offer a nice gloss and are easier to clean. Eggshell is more durable than flat paint, but not as shiny as satin paint.

Should living room walls be flat or satin?

Flat paint soaks up light and hides imperfections, while satin paint reflects light and may highlight them. Satin paint is best for smooth walls with no imperfections. Flat paint is best for bedrooms, offices, and calm spaces. Consider how you use the space and how frequently you clean the walls before deciding.

What looks better, flat or eggshell paint?

Eggshell sheen can potentially give a room a greater visual depth than the flatter matte finish. Matte sheens do not reflect light as much as an eggshell or even glossier finish. In fact, they can actually absorb light!

What sheen for baseboards?

For baseboards, it's best to choose a sheen right in the middle of the spectrum, such as semi-gloss. Semi-gloss baseboard paint is a great choice for baseboards for several reasons. First, having a higher sheen on your baseboards makes them stand out! It provides a striking visual contrast to the more matte walls.

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