What hides imperfections better, eggshell or satin?

Author: Hosea O'Kon  |  Last update: Friday, May 9, 2025

Eggshell is commonly used in living rooms and dining rooms, as it does not pick up dirt easily. Pro tip: If your walls have bumps or imperfections, an extra coat of eggshell can disguise them more easily than satin or high-gloss finishes.

What is the best sheen to hide imperfections?

Finish: The type of paint finish is crucial. A flat or matte finish is the best choice for hiding imperfections, as it reflects less light and reduces the visibility of bumps, dents, and texture variations. Satin or eggshell finishes can also work well but are more reflective, which may highlight imperfections.

What is the best paint to cover imperfections?

Semi-gloss paint is usually the best choice, not because it's better at hiding imperfections but because it's easier to maintain. Flat paints tend to pick up and hold dust and dirt marks. High-gloss paint is the least forgiving of application errors because reflected light can reveal stroke marks.

What looks better, satin or eggshell?

Satin sheen is more glossy and shiny. It's better for high-traffic areas with pets and kids. It's easier to clean and maintain. Eggshell is less glossy and doesn't have as much protection. It looks better overall but harder to clean.

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.

Paint Sheen Differences Explained In 5 Minutes

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!

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.

What is the easiest paint finish to clean?

For one level of sheen up from flat or matte, eggshell and satin are good choices. “Satin is slightly shinier, and both are easier to clean than flat or matte paint,” Handel says.

What paint smooths imperfections?

A paint that has high coverage and a thick texture, such as our Claypaint or Lifestyle emulsions, will even out any hairline cracks and slightly bumpy surfaces. Both products can go over a multitude of wall substrates. However, on lime plaster we'd only recommend using Claypaint due to its high level of breathability.

What color paint shows the least imperfections?

Using Dark Color Paint:

Just like the same way, flat finishes reduce dent visibility; darker paints also reflect less light than lighter paints. This makes them a better choice for hiding drywall imperfections. The only drawback of using dark color paint often makes the room look smaller.

What sheen is best for bumpy walls?

The least glossy texture is flat, which is often referred to as matte. The greatest option for covering up flaws like bumps or tiny fractures on walls is a material that doesn't reflect light. Additionally, it applies more smoothly over uneven surfaces, making it a fantastic choice for textured walls.

What paint hides flaws?

Dark colors of paint hide drywall imperfections because light gets absorbed into the paint instead of reflecting off it, helping conceal dirt, smudges and fingerprints. Great dark colors include: Navy. Plum.

What finish do professional painters use?

Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.

Should I use eggshell or satin?

A satin finish delivers higher durability than an eggshell finish. It's scuff-resistant, making it a great choice for painting molding and walls in high-traffic areas such as living rooms, family rooms, dining rooms, kids' rooms, and entryways.

What is the best paint for imperfect walls?

Because it helps to hide imperfections such as nail holes and patches, Ultra Flat Paint is a dependable option for older homes or surfaces with slight damage. Users often appreciate that its matte finish offers a sophisticated look that complements various interior design styles.

Does satin paint show more imperfections?

Imperfections: Despite being more durable, satin paint will show imperfections in your walls a lot more obviously than flat paint. This is down to the glossy nature, making it hard to hide things like cracks or patches.

What sheen is best for hiding imperfections?

Matte. This flat finish is great for hiding surface imperfections, while its angular shine helps make walls smooth and washable. Use this sheen for: Living rooms.

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 best paint to hide imperfections on ceilings?

Generally speaking, a water-based flat finish paint is best for ceilings as it hides a multitude of sins thanks to its low light-reflecting properties. Our recommendation would be Tikkurila Anti-Reflex 2 or 'AR2' as it's commonly known.

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.

Does eggshell paint show imperfections?

Because of their higher lustrous properties, eggshell paints show more imperfections than matte paints that can hide blemishes with just two coats. The eggshell option is also the more durable one of the two.

What is the best paint finish for the whole house?

Eggshell. The perfect mix of durable and great looking, eggshell is the most common paint finish used throughout homes. "This finish provides a low sheen and a smooth finish that can subtly enhance color depth," says Mendelson.

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