Flat paint, with its velvety, matte appearance, is the best choice for hiding any wall imperfections due to its lack of shine and reflective properties.
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.
Matte finish is best for textured walls as it hides uneven surface and cracks in a wall.
Eggshell paint, with its subtle sheen and ability to hide imperfections, is ideal for low-traffic areas like living rooms and bedrooms.
Wall paints are the best solution if there are any little flaws over the surface of the wall. If there are flaws like spill marks or dust marks which are tough to remove, then painting can be the best way to cover them up.
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.
Flat and eggshell paint can help you hide imperfections but may be problematic if you expect the painted area to get dirty. On the other hand, glossy paint is much easier to clean, but doesn't do a good job of hiding imperfections.
Using Flat Finish Paint:
You can also apply flat paint finish on the wall as they can reduce the amount of light reflected off the wall. This also reduces the visibility of dents and dings and other drywall imperfections. Flat finishes also look bolder and classier than other glossier paints.
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.
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.
More neutral colors are another choice for hiding imperfections. Stray away from lighter shades, as they can highlight the blemishes. Mid-tone neutrals like: Gray.
Eggshell is the most commonly used sheen for interior walls. It is a good middle ground, having enough sheen so that it is easily washable, but not too much to where any wall imperfection will stand out. The look of the eggshell finish is quite attractive for interior painting projects.
Use a paint scraper to remove excess plaster around fittings and borders. Allow the first layer to dry and sand to remove any texture before repeating the same steps for the second layer. Once completely dry, sand the wall down with fine grit paper and you will have smooth walls, ready to be painted or papered.
Another reason why consumers and designers often favor using Eggshell or Satin paint is that they've had a bad experience with the “chalky” look that low-quality flat paints have after a few years.
If you're using a high-quality paint, you may be able to get away with just one or two coats. However, if you're using a lower-quality paint, you may need to apply three or more coats to achieve the desired results.
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.
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. Eggshell paint is a great option for walls in medium- to low-traffic areas and can be easily cleaned.
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.
Matte: A low-luster finish that's less durable, but easy to clean, touches up well, and hides minor surface imperfections.
Skim coating is a technique used to create a smooth, even surface by applying a thin layer of joint compound over the entire wall. This process can effectively hide minor flaws and create a uniform appearance. This can effectively hide imperfections and create a seamless appearance.
Flat. A non-reflective sheen that helps hide surface imperfections, making walls appear smooth. Visually this finish smooths walls that are dented or rough.
Low gloss paint helps reduce the appearance of imperfections, making it an ideal choice for doors, windows and trims. Low sheen paint forms a velvety finish that is super hard-wearing and easy to keep clean. It can also hide surface imperfections better than gloss paints.
It provides a durable finish, though not as resilient as semi gloss paint, making it suitable for light traffic areas like living rooms or dining rooms. Thanks to its matte look with a slight sheen, eggshell paint effectively hides imperfections, making it a favorite among interior designers.
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.