For general walls, Eggshell (or Satin if you need high durability) is the best choice. If you prefer a modern, non-reflective, and velvety look that still cleans easily, Matte is the top designer and professional pick.
A satin or semi-gloss sheen is ideal, as it can withstand moisture. Imperfections: If you're looking to cover or hide imperfections, flat or eggshell finishes are best. Durability: Areas with high traffic or exposure to moisture require more durable finishes, such as semi-gloss or satin.
One of the most popular types of wall paint, eggshell finish provides a low sheen and a soft, smooth finish just like a true eggshell. Perfect for low- to mid-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, entryways and family rooms.
Choose flat if you want to hide wall imperfections and glare. Choose satin if you need high durability, moisture resistance, and easy cleaning.
Soft Sheen paint is very popular at the moment and is better suited for use on newer walls with a better finish. Soft Sheen paint is not as flat as Matt paint and gives a subtle sheen but not quite a shine. Soft Sheen paint is a great paint if you live in a house with children as it is very maintenance friendly.
Balance aesthetics and practicality – For most interior walls, a low sheen is the sweet spot between style and function.
Most choose a lower gloss for walls (matte, eggshells, satins and semi-gloss in some cases), flats for ceilings and higher glosses (semi-gloss, gloss, and high-gloss) for trim and doors.
Satin Paint sits right in the middle of the sheen spectrum—not flat, not super shiny. It has this soft, velvety glow that feels elegant and lived-in. The light reflection is subtle enough that it won't highlight every wall imperfection, and it's durable enough for moderate traffic areas.
Builders use flat (or matte) paint primarily because its lack of shine hides drywall imperfections, scuffs, and texture flaws. It is also highly forgiving for quick touch-ups without leaving visible overlap or roller marks. This makes it a highly cost-effective and efficient way to deliver a uniform finish.
Choose eggshell for most living rooms. It provides the best balance of a soft, elegant glow and practical washability. However, if your household includes young children or pets and your walls face heavy traffic, satin is the superior choice for durability and easy cleanup.
Sherwin-Williams satin finish is a highly versatile, low-to-medium luster paint. It balances an elegant, soft glow with excellent washability. This makes it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas like hallways, family rooms, and children's bedrooms where durability and easy stain removal are top priorities.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
the trick that interior designers teach their clients is to paint their walls in eggshell. eggshell will dry almost flat. it is impossible to detect the difference between eggshell and flat. and the difference is that you're going to be able to wipe down dirty fingerprints.
Eggshell and Matte are the two most typical wall paint sheens. They offer the perfect balance of a low-reflective finish that hides wall imperfections while still providing enough durability and washability for everyday wear and tear.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and Color Properties
With its LRV hovering around 3, Tricorn Black absorbs approximately 97% of the light that hits its surface, creating that deep, rich appearance that makes it so desirable for high-impact design applications.
The most popular Sherwin-Williams interior color is Agreeable Gray (SW 7029). It is a top-selling "greige" (a perfect balance between warm beige and cool gray) that designers favor for its high versatility and ability to fit well into both modern and traditional interiors.
Warm, nature-inspired off-whites and "greiges" (a balance of gray and beige) are the most popular wall colors right now. Homeowners are moving away from stark, cold grays in favor of soft, inviting tones that make spaces feel cozy and bright.
In most cases, you only need two coats of paint. However, a third coat is usually necessary if you are making a drastic color change (such as going from a dark color to a light one), painting over a porous/unprimed surface, or if you notice unevenness or "streaking" after the second coat.
Choose flat if your priority is masking wall imperfections and achieving a non-reflective look; choose satin if you need high durability and cleanability.
Eggshell paint is slightly less reflective than satin paint, falling in the middle of the paint sheen scale. It provides a smooth, velvety finish, while satin paint has a glossier appearance with higher light reflectivity.
Applying a second coat of paint will make the color richer, deeper, and truer to the swatch. However, it generally will not make the dried color darker than the manufacturer's intended shade; it simply provides the opacity needed to hide the underlying surface.
Semi-gloss paint is better for accents like trim, as well as room details you want to bring a bit more attention to, like millwork. On the other hand, satin paint is often a better choice for walls in high-traffic areas (both indoors and outdoors).
Gray: Gray has become a popular neutral recently, and for a good reason. It's a sophisticated color that can work with various decor styles. Whether you choose a light or dark gray, it's a timeless color that will never go out of style.
Sherwin-Williams interior sheens range from non-reflective, low-durability options (flat) to highly reflective, washable finishes (gloss). To choose the right sheen, balance the room's traffic and lighting with the need to hide wall imperfections.
Here are five paint colors that real estate professionals and designers consistently recommend to help homes sell faster and for more: