Choosing a paint finish is just as important as choosing a colour — the sheen level affects how a room looks, how easy it is to clean, and how well the paint stands up to daily use. Here's a practical breakdown of the finishes we use most often on residential and commercial jobs.
Matt finish
Matt (or flat) paint has little to no shine, which makes it very good at hiding small surface imperfections — old patches, minor dents or uneven plaster are far less noticeable under a matt coat. It's a popular choice for ceilings and low-traffic walls, like formal living rooms or main bedrooms, where a soft, even look matters more than wipeability.
The trade-off is durability: matt finishes generally mark more easily and are harder to clean without leaving a slight sheen difference where you've wiped. For busy family areas, it's usually paired with a tougher finish elsewhere.
Low-sheen finish
Low-sheen sits between matt and satin, and it's become the go-to for most interior walls because it strikes a good balance — a soft, contemporary look with noticeably better washability than matt. It still hides minor surface flaws reasonably well while holding up to the odd wipe-down.
This is generally the default we recommend for hallways, living areas and bedrooms where you want a modern flat-look wall that can still handle everyday marks.
Satin and semi-gloss
Satin has a gentle sheen and is a strong choice for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries — anywhere moisture, steam or grease are a factor, since it wipes clean far more easily than matt or low-sheen. Semi-gloss goes a step further again, with more shine and even better resistance to moisture and marking.
Gloss finish
Gloss is the most durable and reflective finish, and it's almost always reserved for doors, skirting, architraves and trims rather than whole walls — the shine highlights every surface imperfection, so trims need to be well prepared before a gloss coat goes on. Done properly, though, it gives a crisp, long-lasting result that's easy to keep clean, which is why we use it on most of our door and trim work.
Matching finish to room
As a general guide: ceilings and formal, low-traffic rooms suit matt; living areas, hallways and bedrooms suit low-sheen; kitchens, bathrooms and laundries suit satin or semi-gloss; and doors, skirting and trims suit gloss. If you're not sure what's right for your space, it's one of the first things we talk through during a quote.
