Matte paint is a popular option for wall paint as well. I prefer matte paint if you have a textured wall. However, for smooth drywall, I prefer the slight luster of an eggshell paint finish.
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).
The best option is a latex- or oil-based paint with a low-maintenance sheen that has a satin or semi-gloss sheen rather than a flat matte finish and is reflective enough to draw attention to the finer features of the wall texture. The least glossy texture is flat, which is often referred to as matte.
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 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.
Flat paint has a velvety, matte look and is the best choice to hide any wall imperfections. However, it's the least durable choice and doesn't usually stand up well to scrubbing.
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.
This wall texture feels more refined and luxurious, and it is also the most expensive option because creating a smooth wall texture requires additional labor and skill. Extra skim coats are applied, and more attention must be placed on floating drywall to ensure every wall is even.
Often called a Level 5 finish, a truly smooth drywall finish involves laying a skim coat of drywall mud across the entire wall, resulting in a perfectly even and pristine surface.
While certain types of wall texture are considered outdated, it would be unfair to call all textured walls out of step with modern trends. Like many things with interior design, textured walls are what you make of them, and they can certainly take on a more modern spin when paired with of-the-moment decor.
If your wall has imperfections like uneven texture, patches or joints, flat paint will absorb light and make them less noticeable. However, flat finishes are not very durable and need to be carefully cleaned. Scrubbing flat paint could wear down the finish and cause sheen to appear in patchy spots.
Pros: A satin finish reflects more light than matte and stands up well to washing. Use in high-traffic areas such as bathrooms, the kitchen and a kid's room as well as on trim and molding throughout the house. Cons: This finish does not hide imperfections in surface or application; any touch-ups will stand out.
Eggshell is always an interior designer's preferred paint finish, which is why our founder, Nicole, an interior designer, 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!
Satin: Satin finishes are the most common interior paint finish. They have a velvety sheen and are easier to clean than flat and eggshell paints, which makes them a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, playrooms, family rooms, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Semi-gloss and eggshell are the most popular. They are a good choice for walls, woodwork, doors, and hallways and meet in the middle with a moderate sheen that isn't too extreme.
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.
A professional painter will take time to prepare surfaces so paint adheres properly. This may involve stripping old paint, filling in holes, sandpapering rough areas, and priming. The end result will be smooth and long-lasting.
Skim fill walls, prime and paint
Rather than a simple fill over using a 3″ filling knife, you can skim coat the whole wall. Decorators use a 10-12″ plastic caulker blade to apply a variety of fillers. Ordinary filler, Gyproc Easifill to name but two. Drywall skim products work too.
Knockdown texture is a popular wall texture trend that is quickly gaining popularity. This textured look gives walls a subtle depth and dimension while providing a clean, modern look.
Popcorn texture for the ones who love tradition
Popcorn texture might be the most common due to its rise in popularity during the housing boom of the 1960s. As a result, and due to the fact it's quite difficult to remove, a lot of houses today still have this wall texture.
There are also a lot of reasons not use a textured drywall finish in a modern home, but maybe the most significant of all is the overall appearance. If you want a very clean, minimalist, simple aesthetic, or wall coverings (paper or textile), you will want to have a smooth Level 4 or Level 5 drywall finish.
Textured interior walls (think: “orange peel,” popcorn, or swirled patterns) have a practical function, since the texture hides the signs of drywall installation—that is, the taped seams where the sheets of drywall meet—and other imperfections.
In many such situations, the builder, seller, or low-cost painter used a low-grade flat paint for three reasons: the first is that it is inexpensive; the second is that it is easy to touch up; the third is that it hides imperfections in the drywall walls.
We recommend matte paints for bedrooms and as living room paint finishes where the walls are exposed to less moisture, choosing a glossier eggshell finish for kitchens and as a paint finish for bathrooms, which are more prone to moisture, as well as children's rooms, which might need more regular 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. If you like the eggshell look in your kitchen or bathroom, don't be afraid to use it.