Flat paint is best for areas that won't get too dirty since it's difficult to clean properly. Matte paints are great for bedrooms, dining rooms, and bathrooms. Depending on the brand of paint you buy, matte paints can also be mildew resistant and easier to clean.
Matte paint is a popular choice for walls because it has a velvety, subtle sheen that gives it an elegant look. It also absorbs light better than other paints, making it great for darkening a room or creating a softer atmosphere. Flat paint has very little shine and is usually used for ceilings or trim work.
Flat and Matte finish paints are ideal for covering walls that have flaws or blemishes. Even larger imperfections, such as extensive scuffs and nail pops can get covered and camouflaged since Flat Paints are effective at absorbing light, in essence, “hiding” the bumps and lines that exist on every wall.
Matte is perfect for concealing any surface blemishes on walls and as it has a lot of pigment, it's quick and easy to apply. It's best used in less busy areas as well as ceilings, as it doesn't clean as easily as satin.
Flat paint will always be better for builders and painters. It costs less, downplays flaws in drywall, and can be touched up easily without showing roller marks. In new builds, it is almost always used by builders and painters. Painters often paint rooms that require modifications after initial painting.
If your wall has imperfections like uneven texture, patches or joints, flat paint will absorb light and make them less noticeable. However, flat finishes are not very durable and need to be carefully cleaned. Scrubbing flat paint could wear down the finish and cause sheen to appear in patchy spots.
In many such situations, the builder, seller, or low-cost painter used a low-grade flat paint for three reasons: the first is that it is inexpensive; the second is that it is easy to touch up; the third is that it hides imperfections in the drywall walls.
Pros: Matte paint hides the imperfections and flaws of the painting surface, making it great for walls in your bedroom, dining room and living room. It is also great for ceilings and any sort of touch-up or remodeling work. Cons: It takes a lot of work to keep the imperfections hidden.
Typically, we recommend using matte on walls in lower-traffic areas like master bedrooms, dining rooms, or living rooms that won't get dirty or scuffed up as often. Moreover, flat and matte paints are easier to touch up and apply, which makes them ideal for novice painters or DIY projects.
Are Matte Paint Good For Walls? Matt finish paint is great for walls because it makes them look smooth and elegant. The material absorbs light instead of reflecting it so it can be used in high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways. Matte or Matt paint is ideal for guest bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms.
You should be using flat paint on walls and areas that have a lot of bumps, scratches, or holes. Since it can conceal these blemishes easily, it'll be the one paint finish you'll want to be using. It's best for low-traffic rooms that have a ton of light like offices and more formal rooms, like dining rooms.
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.
Flat paint works best in low-traffic areas, such as the master bedroom, a study, or a formal living room.
Matt: Known for its durability and smooth texture, matt paint dries to a paper-like finish without any hint of gloss or shine. This means that it doesn't reflect any light, making it the perfect choice to cover up imperfections.
'Eggshell paint has a higher sheen level than matte paint,' says James Greenwood, paint and wallpaper expert at Graham & Brown, 'making it better for baseboards and doors whereas matte has less sheen and is thus better for walls.
Satin, eggshell and flat/matte are typically best for interior painting of walls. Gloss and semi-gloss paint are best for doors, baseboards, trim, cabinets, and woodwork.
Matte paint finishes tend to be less forgiving of scuffs and marks despite being forgiving of faults already existing in the wall. Because of this, specialists ordinarily advise against using them in busy areas.
The downside, according to Stevens, is that matte paint is harder to clean than glossy paint is. So, for example, if you have matte finish walls in your dining room and you accidentally drop a plate of food or spill a glass of wine, it's very important to take care of the mess right away.
Disadvantages To Matte Finish
As we mentioned before, the matte finish absorbs light which means it won't help to make small spaces feel bigger, unlike glossy finishes that reflect light. Therefore, for kitchens that are very small, a matte finish may not be the best option.
But flat paints can be hard to clean since their porous texture can trap dirt and grime. And since flat paint doesn't resist water like glossier paint does, cleaning it may leave behind unwanted streaks that can make an already dirty wall seem even worse.
You can't really go wrong with eggshell finish on your walls. Sometimes called satin finish, eggshell has slightly more luster than a flat finish, but you won't be left with shiny walls. It also resists stains better than flat and can be wiped with a wet rag.
Flat finishes are perfect for rooms with minimal foot traffic. Matte: Similar to flat, matte has a low shine due to minimal reflectivity. Matte finishes are fairly durable and great for rooms with some regular foot traffic. Eggshell: For a durable finish that offers a delicate look, eggshell is your go-to choice.
Does flat paint wipe clean? You can wipe flat paint clean, but you'll want to use a light hand so you don't remove any paint along with dirt and debris. Wipe the walls with a dry cloth and then run a sponge soaked with warm water over any stains. Don't scrub.