Eggshell or flat/matte finishes will look best on white painted walls, with satin finish coming in third. Eggshell will be a little more durable than flat or matte paint, so choose it for spaces that see some traffic and might get a little abuse, like living rooms or dining rooms.
A washable finish is a necessity for high-traffic rooms, so flat or matte paint finishes are out. Eggshell or satin finishes are a good choice for stain resistance, durability, long wear, coverage, and ease of cleaning.
Eggshell is a good option for those who like flatter finishes but still want to wipe down the walls from time to time. While satin is undoubtedly a more durable option, eggshell is a good all-around sheen for any room.
Hands down, satin is the most popular finish for any type of trims, doors and mouldings. Why is it so popular? It's washable without being overly glossy.
A large piece of art adds interest to simple white painted walls. It can be complemented in the living room with dark shade sofa and a center coffee table to create the perfect balance of color and texture. A colorful piece of printed wallpaper brings fun and liveliness to any simple white-walled space.
Bring in warmth
A few wood and brass accents go a long way toward making an all-white space inviting, says Heininger. “When done correctly, the result is warm, confident, and soft.” One or two neutral (but not white) furnishings also break up the palette without interrupting the sense of airiness.
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.
Shelby Girard, vice president of Havenly's design team, says her rules of thumb are to do an eggshell or matte finish on walls and ceilings, especially in ancillary spaces like bedrooms and offices, but to use satin on trim and doors.
Satin finishes are the most commonly used paint for interior walls. They are easier to clean than flat and eggshell paints, which makes them a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms, and playrooms.
What's the Difference Between Eggshell vs Satin? Eggshell and satin differ through the sheen of the finish that they offer. Eggshell has a lower duller sheen than satin and is close to a matt or flat finish that you find in a lot of emulsions. It is reminiscent of the shell of an egg — hence its name.
An eggshell finish will be more forgiving when it comes to imperfections on your walls, and is durable and easy to clean. Semi-gloss finish: This is the best finish for your trims such as baseboards, mouldings and even cabinets and doors.
It all comes down to personal choice as to which is the best option for your project. As a guide, choose eggshell if you want a low sheen with a soft-touch finish. And for something with more luster, go for satin.
It depends on the surface you are painting. For interior walls in high-traffic spaces like a mudroom, satin or eggshell finishes work best. Flat or matte finishes work best for most ceilings and semi-gloss is recommended for interior trim and doors.
White paint can work well in any room or space, but it's important to consider factors such as natural light, the purpose of the room, and personal preferences.
One of the most popular white paints to use in the home, Sherwin Williams' Pure White is a bright white that has a subtle yellow undertone. 8. Wevet by Farrow & Ball is a versatile white shade with delicate hints of gray, establishing a barely-there effect that can work in rooms across the home.
Light colors have an inherent reflectivity, which is why they can make a room feel bigger. Another way to achieve this—or to boost the already enlarging effects of a light color—is to go with an eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss sheen instead of a matte. Don't pair dark colors with a light trim.
In the living room and dining room, opt for an eggshell or satin finish. It hides flaws and imperfections — especially on uneven walls — and makes the room look more high-end, which you definitely want when you're showing your house.
High Gloss
The most durable and easy to clean of all paint sheens, high-gloss paint is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. Think appliance-paint tough. High gloss is a good choice for areas that sticky fingers touch — cabinets, trim, and doors.
Eggshell paint sheen is popular for many good reasons. It is an attractive, one-size-fits-all paint sheen that draws out the best in a paint's color. At the same time, eggshell is cleanable and somewhat resistant to wear and tear.
Because eggshell is less lustrous than satin, it is also slightly less durable. That being said, it will still hold up better than flat or matte finishes would. Eggshell paint is a great option for walls in medium- to low-traffic areas, and can be easily cleaned.
Eggshell paint is a good choice for living rooms, hallways and bedrooms.
If you have a tiny room filled with rich, saturated colors, the room will look smaller. Add a coat of white paint, and instantly, you have a room that appears bigger. There is a bit of science behind this trick: white is light-reflective, while the darker a color gets, the more light it absorbs.
Stark White
Naturally, white is an obvious choice for making a room feel bigger. It's no secret that light colors make a room look larger, especially if the space is bathed in natural light.