What sheen of paint is best for imperfect walls?

Author: Aaliyah Pagac  |  Last update: Thursday, February 20, 2025

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.

What is the best paint finish for imperfect walls?

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 hides imperfections better, eggshell or satin?

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.

Does matte or gloss hide imperfections better?

Matte finishes absorb light rather than reflect it. This means they will hide bumps and other little flaws in your walls rather well. These type of finishes are not very durable, but they make for rather easy touch up jobs. Experts recommend matte finishes for bedrooms and studies.

How do you paint over imperfect walls?

Use painter's tape to protect edges and apply paint in thin, even layers with a roller or brush. Begin with a ``cut-in'' technique for edges, then fill larger areas. Work in sections to maintain a wet edge for uniformity. Finally, let the paint dry completely before applying a second coat if needed.

Paint Sheen Differences Explained In 5 Minutes

What is the best paint for covering wall imperfections?

Use a paint that contains texture.

Texture paint is one of the simplest ways to hide wall flaws. Texture paint, though, is a lot like drywall mud and may take extra time to apply. However, it should be able to hide a lot of minor flaws like dents, chips, nail holes, and more.

What is the paint finish on walls that hides some of the imperfections?

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.

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.

What looks more professional matte or glossy?

Glossy prints are great for vibrant, detailed images, while matte prints offer a glare-free, natural look, ideal for formal settings and framing.

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.

What is the most popular sheen for interior paint?

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.

How many coats of paint to hide imperfections?

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.

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!

What color hides imperfections best?

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.

How to cover imperfect walls?

Here are seven unique ways of covering, repairing, hiding or simply turning the wall damage to your advantage:
  1. Temporary Wallpaper – Easy Solution. ...
  2. Wall Tiles for Lasting Impression. ...
  3. Tile Decals – Redecorating Tiled Walls. ...
  4. Wall Decals – Let the Walls Speak. ...
  5. Tapestry & Curtains – Your Signature Theme. ...
  6. Art Accent Wall.

Does eggshell or satin hide imperfections better?

One of the standout features of eggshell paint is its ability to hide imperfections on walls. The lower light reflectivity of this finish makes it especially suitable for concealing flaws like brush strokes and minor drywall dings.

Which lasts longer, glossy or matte?

Glossy photos are resilient over time, resistant to fading and smudging, making them an excellent choice for long-term storage. However, if your prints will be frequently handled, matte photos are the more scratch-resistant option.

What is the best finish for senior pictures?

Matte (Lustre) finish photo paper.

When you are choosing a paper for your senior pictures, and wallet photos in particular, consider that our standard matte finish paper is much less likely to show fingerprints than glossy papers.

Should I get matte or glossy paint?

Compared to high-gloss finishes, matte paints are the least durable and the hardest to clean. However, in rooms with little traffic and areas such as ceilings, matte finishes offer an elegant, smooth sheen and are more economical than high-gloss paints.

Should living room walls be flat or satin?

Flat paint soaks up light and hides imperfections, while satin paint reflects light and may highlight them. Satin paint is best for smooth walls with no imperfections. Flat paint is best for bedrooms, offices, and calm spaces. Consider how you use the space and how frequently you clean the walls before deciding.

What sheen for walls Sherwin Williams?

Eg-Shel- Great to use for walls, eg-shel finish has a slight hint of shine and holds up better to cleaning. Low-Lusture- A smooth, subtle sheen that's durable and easy to clean. Medium-Lustre- This higher-gloss finish is perfect for doors and trim.

Why do contractors use flat paint?

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.

What sheen is best for imperfect walls?

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.

What is the most forgiving paint color for walls?

FLAT or MATTE

Flat/Matte paint is the most forgiving finish with the most color options. Pros - Allows the color to be the main focus. Flat and Matte finishes help hide and or reduce imperfections in your walls and ceilings.

Which Sherwin Williams paint is best for interiors?

Sherwin Williams Interior Paint Grades
  • Emerald® Interior Acrylic Latex: This is one of the highest quality interior paints offered by Sherwin-Williams. ...
  • Duration Home® Interior Acrylic Latex: This is another high-quality interior paint known for its durability and washability.

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