Where Should You Use Matte Paint? Matte finishes are best suited for areas such as ceilings, bedrooms, living room and dining rooms that do not see a lot of traffic or dirt.
Flat and Matte finish paints are ideal for covering walls that have flaws or blemishes. Even larger imperfections, such as extensive scuffs and nail pops can get covered and camouflaged since Flat Paints are effective at absorbing light, in essence, “hiding” the bumps and lines that exist on every wall.
If you have nail holes or minor dents you want to conceal, choose a flat paint finish. Matte paints require fewer coats than higher gloss paints and are perfect for areas that require less durability such as dining rooms, bedrooms, and ceilings. Flat paints tend to hold onto dirt and are difficult to clean.
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.
Where to use a matte finish. Matte finishes are an excellent choice for bedrooms and ceilings. Any surface that's harder to reach and isn't exposed to steam or dirt will be a good match. If regular repainting is possible, matte is the best choice budget-wise.
A matte finish looks a lot nicer on a wall than a shimmery, reflective surface. More homeowners are switching to a flat matte paint in every room of the house, even bathrooms and kitchens. It seems to be the trend. Flat paint also covers nail hole cover-ups and other flaws better than gloss, and it touches up nicer.
Flat (or matte) paint sheen is ideal for areas with less foot traffic or those that will not be exposed to a lot of dirt. Flat paint sheen is also ideal for scratched or bumpy walls because it easily obscures blemishes. You can use this type of paint sheen on drywall with imperfect taping or one that is patched.
Matte paint usually has very low-gloss, but it has more shine than a flat paint finish. As these types of paints have a low-gloss, they are the best to cover the imperfections of your wall. This is because these paints absorb light rather than reflecting.
Matte and Flat Paints
A matte paint gives walls a luxurious, velvety finish. Walls finished in matte have almost no shine to them. The softer appearance of a matte paint lends itself well to accenting natural wood trim or rooms with antique lacquered furniture.
If you're looking to mask your walls' flaws, you might want to opt for a matte finish. “Low-luster sheens are non-reflective and will hide minor surface imperfections,” Barr says, adding matte is an ideal choice for ceilings and bedrooms.
Matte finishes are best suited for areas such as ceilings, bedrooms, living room and dining rooms that do not see a lot of traffic or dirt.
"Using a matte finish on trims and doors will create a silky and elegant contrast against walls that have a slight sheen," she says. "Dark matte trim and doors against light walls will create an especially striking look that's unexpected, while colorful walls with a white matte trim can modernize a space."
The amount of light reflected, imperfections shown, and durability. The less light reflected, the less durable the finish; however, fewer imperfections are shown. Matte will reflect little to no light, satin retains a pearl-like sheen, whereas semi-gloss and gloss finishes reflect the most light.
Matt emulsion is smooth, velvety and helps to hide imperfections on less-than-perfect walls. Flat matt emulsion is even more velvety and because matt surfaces don't reflect light, they make all colours look as similar as they can be in very different light conditions.
The lack of shine make the paint blend better with the previous paint. Builders do not like to have to paint walls edge to edge, so they use flat paint. During the building process, there are many trades that come into the home and damage the paint job. This makes it easier to fix.
Matte paint creates a smooth surface, making it ideal for older furniture. After a few coats, shallow dents become imperceptible and larger imperfections repaired with wood filler meld flawlessly into the surrounding areas.
Painting in a flat, matte or satin finishes will soak up light, while semi-gloss, high-gloss and lacquer finishes tend to reflect light, which make a darker room feel brighter and lighter, said Edith Gregson, partner at DJ Ireland Interior Architecture & Design, an interior design firm in Washington DC.
Flat paint has more pigment than any other finish, which is why it's also known as concealer paint—it's also called matte paint. It's completely nonreflective, so the paint will soak up any light directed at it. Flat paint tends to be easier to apply than other finishes, and it also usually a less expensive option.
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!
Flat, eggshell and satin paint are best for interior walls, whereas semi-gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork. Flat, Gloss or Satin Paint - How Do You Choose? An eggshell finish has a subtler shine to it, so it's a great choice if you're not ready for satin.
Eggshell and pearl sheens also hold up well in a child's room. Matte or eggshell sheen is generally recommended for an adult's bedroom or a guest bedroom.
Emulsion paints are water-based, making them almost odour-less and the most preferred choice for interior wall paint colours. The paint is quick drying and has a very low level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
In the living room and dining room, opt for an eggshell or satin finish. It hides flaws and imperfections — especially on uneven walls — and makes the room look more high-end, which you definitely want when you're showing your house.
Flat or matte paints are best suited for ceilings and walls in low-use rooms. Because flat or matte paint absorbs rather than reflects light, flat paints tend to hide wall imperfections.