Semi-gloss paints are fine for living room trim and window frames, but not the walls. Semi-gloss provide the greatest washability, but the shine enhances wall imperfections like bumps, patches, or unevenness in drywall.
Semi-gloss paint finish is perfect when you love a glossy look, but aren't sure about diving into a full high-gloss look in your living room. Semi-gloss isn't a common choice for living room walls and ceilings, but it can make colors pop and bring an energetic vibe to a dark living room.
If your space has huge windows and lots of natural light, a flat paint finish can work well. If you want something more shiny and reflective, choose satin or semi-gloss. If you don't want your walls totally lustrous, you can paint trim or crown molding with a semi-gloss sheen.
In the living room and dining room, opt for an eggshell or satin finish.
Unlike satin, semi-gloss is rarely ever used on walls. Because of its higher light reflectivity, it shows every imperfection, highlights brushstrokes, and can appear slightly darker than the same color in a different finish.
Semi-gloss paint explained
It's ideal for woodwork in high traffic areas such as entryways, living areas, dining rooms, kitchens, powder rooms and children's rooms and playrooms.
Find the Perfect Paint Finish
Flat, eggshell and satin paint are best for interior walls, whereas semi-gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork. An eggshell finish has a subtler shine to it, so it's a great choice if you're not ready for satin.
We recommend matte paints for bedrooms and as living room paint finishes where the walls are exposed to less moisture, choosing a glossier eggshell finish for kitchens and as a paint finish for bathrooms, which are more prone to moisture, as well as children's rooms, which might need more regular cleaning.
For paint that will provide decent durability without the reflectivity of high-gloss finishes, choose a satin finish. Cost: Eggshell paint is more cost-effective than satin paint. Homeowners looking to save at the paint store or repaint large areas are better off going with an eggshell finish.
Best for: Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Satin, which is a little more hard-wearing than eggshell, works well in those rooms and also in kitchens, dining areas, children's bedrooms, and bathrooms. Many satin finishes are tough enough to use on trim as well.
Using a semi- or high-gloss can help enhance your space. Higher sheens are more reflective, giving the illusion of more light.
Satin: Satin finishes are the most common interior paint finish. They have a velvety sheen and are easier to clean than flat and eggshell paints, which makes them a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, playrooms, family rooms, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Semi-gloss is best used on doors, trim, bathrooms, and kitchens. Cons: It will still reveal some of the imperfections in whatever surface it is painted onto. It will also easily reveal every brushstroke and you can always tell if a roller brush was used to apply it.
SEMI-GLOSS
pros: Reflects a significant amount of light and is easy to clean. cons: Reveals every imperfection in your walls, every brushstroke, and the frequent “orange-peel finish” of a roller brush. where to use it: It's ideal for doors, trim, casework, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Its balanced look makes it highly durable without being too reflective. If you were to ask an interior designer or painting professional, they'd likely tell you that satin is the glossiest sheen you should use on interior walls.
Flat paint works best in low-traffic areas, such as the master bedroom, a study, or a formal living room.
From the perspective of a Color Designer/Consultant, I typically specify eggshell on walls for multiple reasons that benefit the people who are dwelling in the home. Eggshell paint cleans easier, covers better, wears better, and lasts longer than flat paint.
On Walls. Flat paint can also be used on walls in low-traffic areas, such as formal living and dining rooms. It could also be a good choice for a home office space, depending on how much wear and tear it gets. You may even get away with using it in infrequently used guest rooms.
Satin Paint/Eggshell
They are the most popular choice for wall paint in homes because they are durable but also don't show as many imperfections in the wall as gloss sheens do. Satin and eggshell sheens are ideal for bedrooms, living areas, hallways, dining rooms, and even vinyl siding.
Satin is more forgiving of pre-existing imperfections than semi-gloss. If you've got dings and dents in your walls, your cabinets, or your soon-to-be-painted dresser, the reflective nature of semi-gloss will only draw more attention to every flaw.
Because of its durability, many people choose a satin finish for bathrooms, kitchens, and kids' rooms. Satin is also a popular choice for trim, especially if you want to emphasize the architecture of a space.
Semi-gloss Finish
This paint finish is just glossy enough to make it easy to wipe clean, yet it won't look too shiny. One of the best paint brands with a wide selection of colors is Benjamin Moore.
Painting in a flat, matte or satin finishes will soak up light, while semi-gloss, high-gloss and lacquer finishes tend to reflect light, which make a darker room feel brighter and lighter, said Edith Gregson, partner at DJ Ireland Interior Architecture & Design, an interior design firm in Washington DC.
Semi-gloss paint is perfect for rooms where moisture, drips, and grease stains often end up on the walls—like your kitchen or bathroom. It's durable paint and can be easily scrubbed clean of any imperfections due to its high level of sheen—which also makes it the perfect choice for kids' bedrooms and playrooms.