If your walls are smooth, in good condition, and you DO have kids, dogs or a spouse with Dorito fingers, you may want an eggshell finish. A great alternative is ScuffX in matte finish as it's far more washable than the average paint (it's the only paint I'll use in my home in the future).
Flat paint has a velvety, matte look and is the best choice to hide any wall imperfections.
The flat sheen is good at hiding surface imperfections, such as dents, nail holes, patches and other surface flaws in new construction. It is also a good choice for ceiling painting. Flat finishes often require fewer coats than semi-gloss and gloss paints.
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.
Is it better to use eggshell or flat wall paint? Flat paint is perfect for textured walls or walls with lots of blemishes, dents, dings, and damage to it, as it disguises the texture. However, in most cases, I prefer an eggshell finish for all other walls.
Eggshell paint can show wall and application imperfections. Flat paint definitely downplays a poor drywall job or other surface imperfections. If you want to downplay textured walls and ceilings, flat paint is definitely the way to go.
The ridges and bumps will stand out more with satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss paints more than they ever would with flat paint or eggshell paint. Especially if there is a lot of light in the room. Additionally, these types of paint are going to make it much easier to wash your walls.
The more reflective or glossy the paint sheen, the more noticeable those imperfections will be. Conversely, flat or matte finishes absorb light, helping to hide bumps and bruises. So, paint with a flat finish is the most effective paint for hiding wall imperfections.
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.
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.
Sheen: Eggshell paint has a lower sheen than satin paint—so low it has almost no reflectivity. The lower-gloss finish of eggshell paint makes it better at hiding imperfections like uneven brushstrokes on the surface of your walls.
If you are looking for a well-saturated wall that has rich results, you'll want to go with a flat finish. Flat paint is the most forgiving finish with the best color payout.
Less shiny with a lower sheen than high-gloss, semi-gloss is still more glossy than satin and isn't advised for use on interior walls. 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.
“When it comes to painting bare walls, two coats of paint are usually all you'll need. But remember: if you need to do any repair work, those areas will probably also need an additional layer to make sure you get a quality, seamless finish.” – Matt Gray.
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.
Poor quality of some trades, like drywall contractors, or framers, can make imperfections pop out if there is a sheen in the paint. Using flat paint keeps imperfections from being so noticeable.
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.
Often confused with other finishes, the difference between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a higher gloss, while offering better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell. Satin paint is ideal for areas that crave definition.
Tips for Choosing the Right Paint Sheen
The amount of gloss in your paint really comes down to what you're trying to accomplish with your paint. As a general rule, the higher the sheen, the more durable and easy to clean it will be. However, high sheens also show more imperfections.
Eggshell paint's sheen tends to show more cracks, divots and other imperfections in the wall. Matte paint, with its flat finish, tends to hide these blemishes due to its low light reflectance.
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.
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. Satin has a glossier finish than eggshell and reflects more light, so is more likely to show up any imperfections.
Eggshell Finish
"It is the easiest paint to wipe clean and is great for all areas of the home, including bathrooms and kitchens," she says. "I only use a gloss or semi-gloss paint on base, case, trim, and cabinetry."