Painting Guide: How to Choose a Paint Finish

Choosing the right paint for a new house or during renovation is of paramount importance. Paint finishes give a room character and can alter the sense of light and space.

We'll explain how to choose a paint finish for different rooms.

Recommended finishes for kitchens

Paints that are easy to clean and can withstand stains are most suitable for kitchens. High-gloss and semi-gloss finishes are best as they are more durable than other types.

Finishes for living rooms

Busy family and living rooms require finishes that don't compromise on looks but can take a bit of punishment. Satin finishes fit this description perfectly. While not as tough as gloss and semi-gloss, it's strong but aesthetically pleasing.

Dining room finish recommendations

Dining rooms need a clean-looking finish. Matte or eggshell finishes are best suited to these rooms. They look good but can't stand a lot of scuffing and scratching.

Finishes for bedrooms

Adult bedrooms are typically low-traffic areas that flat or matte finishes can accent. On the other hand, children's bedrooms will require more durable finishes as they will be prone to damage from the constant activity. Satin or eggshell finishes are best suited for these areas.

Different finish types

Flat finishes don't reflect light and produce no sheen. They are effective concealers and are great for surfaces with many imperfections. The disadvantage of using matte finishes is that stains are harder to clean, and forcing them can damage the paint.

Matte finishes are almost as non-reflective as flat finishes but are relatively more scratch-resistant. For that reason, they are perfect for low-traffic areas of the home.

Eggshell finishes are the middle-ground between matte and satin. They offer low reflectivity similar to matte but are more durable.

Satin finishes are more challenging than the previous finishes and offer a medium sheen. These are perfect for rooms that get a lot of foot traffic, as they provide a good balance between looks and resistance to scuffing and stains.

Semi-gloss finishes are very reflective and can withstand increased activity. These are perfect for areas that expect a lot of potential stains or for accentuating architectural details.

High-gloss finishes give an almost mirror-like finish and are stain-resistant.

Ask for a professional opinion

Choosing colors is challenging enough without having to add finishes into the mix. Asking a professional painter for what combinations fit each room isn't a bad idea. With their experience, they can narrow these options down into manageable choices.

Hire a professional painting service

Hiring a professional service will be a good choice for any paint finish. Proper application of these finishes requires experience to get the best results possible. It's better to get the job done at the first time of asking rather than spend unnecessarily for fixes in the future.

The Wood Doctor is the leader in wood restoration, refinishing and refacing in the Portland area. Call 503-560-5220 for a project consultation.