In order to choose the right finish for different parts of your living space, you need to understand how finishes work and their types. Paint finishes are also known as Sheen. Largely, if we talk about appearances only, finishes decide how glossy your wall will look. The higher the gloss, the higher the cleanability. The sheen can also dictate how a colour looks once it has dried.
Here is where you will find all you need to know about paint finishes and their suitability for your home. So be sure to pin, save, or bookmark this one for future reference!
Overview of Benjamin Moore Paint Finishes
A Flat or Matte finish lets your rooms have a non-glossy, softer-looking finish. A matte finish can hide imperfections like cracks or nail marks; a matte finish absorbs light, contrary to a glossy finish, which reflects light.
Eggshell and Satin finishes are with added shine and can hide imperfections of the walls. These finishes are comparatively washable and give an appealing appearance. Semi-gloss and glossy finishes are highly durable and easy to clean. However, these won’t hide any cracks or imperfections of the walls.
Best Paint Finishes by Room Type
Choosing an appropriate finish for your home means paying attention to whether you’re looking for a bedroom, a living room, or a balcony will determine the best paint finish for your space.
Kitchen and wash areas
Highly glossy finishes are most desired for kitchens, bathrooms, and wash areas. The walls of these spaces in the home are susceptible to staining and are high-traffic zones. This requires the walls to be washed frequently. A glossy finish would be able to take this much wear and tear. Glossy or even semi-glossy finishes are more durable; however, they cannot hide the cracks or any other imperfections in the buildup of the wall. Both these finishes are suitable for kitchen walls, bathroom walls, cabinets, trims, or backsplashes.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are supposed to be everyone’s comfort space. Too glossy finishes are not even desirable or required for bedrooms. Also, you might like to have a kind of finish that fits well with your room decor, which is highly likely to be cozy. Eggshell or matte finishes suit best for the bedrooms.
A bedroom, that makes you feel like your personal retreat, should have walls that create a restful atmosphere. Matte or flat finishes absorb light, giving the room a smooth, tranquil feel.
Velvety reds and maroon for a statement wall, and the rest of the walls with cream or beige colour would be one of the most desirable combinations for a bedroom, especially a master bedroom. If your liking and budget permit, go for intriguing wallpapers that can soothe your soul and eyes; you can also go for the designs that reflect your choice in art forms. Apart from that, custom wallpapers are also becoming more and more trendy for bedrooms.
Living-room
The living room’s wall needs aesthetics, durability, and the capacity to take up and blend with the wall decor. For these reasons, Satin or eggshell finishes are recommended. A living room should feel vibrant, fun, and more like a reflection of you and your family. You can choose to have your entertainment devices here, too. To maintain the energy of this space, eggshell finish provides perfect structure; however, if you are leaning towards a bit more shine, satin would do wonders too.
With these less glossy finishes, you can choose from the wide variety of wallpapers to give your living room a very enriched look. If you are into a bit edgy designs, you can explore boho designs, abstract designs, and geo-metric patterns for a statement wall.
Balcony
These attractive, high-traffic areas are prone to scuffs, fingerprints, and dirt. Satin provides durability and cleanability without being too shiny. If you have young kids or pets, or are living in an area where dirt particles are common, consider getting semi-gloss for easier maintenance and long-term wear resistance. The slightly glossier look also adds brightness to spaces.
Kids room
Here we finally come to the most exciting room. If you have kids, they might already have demanded certain colours, with characters and designs. However, you might be hoping that the walls remain clean despite frequent touching, crayons, pencil experiments, and so on. In that case, you can go for a semi-gloss finish. This ensures durability for years to come with cleanability within minutes, making your life easy and cost-effective.
For a kids' room, a glossy finish can match up nicely with shades like purple and lavender. You can also go slightly bold if your kid is also on board with shades like blue, sky blue with attractive sky patterns on the ceiling, and pink or green with floral garden-like designs.
Choosing the right paint finish is just as important as selecting the right colour. It determines how your room looks, how it feels, and how long it lasts. By considering how each room is used, the level of foot traffic, and the lighting, you can make informed choices that blend beauty with practicality. Whether you go for a matte bedroom or a semi-gloss kitchen, the right finish brings out the best in your space and keeps it looking fresh for years to come. Choosing a finish for your living room requires a specific vision for each room. At Southside Painting, our expert designers and painters help you navigate the process and choose the paint and finish for your home. Your complete satisfaction is our aim.
FAQs
- Why is preparation important before starting a home painting project?
Proper preparation prevents uneven finishes, paint wastage, and surface damage. It helps you avoid common DIY mistakes and ensures a smoother, cleaner, and longer-lasting result whether you paint yourself or hire professionals.
- What is the best time of year to paint a home in Canada?
Exterior painting typically requires temperatures above 10°C for proper drying. Interior painting is possible year-round, but winter projects need good ventilation and low-VOC paints because homes stay tightly closed during colder months.
- How should I prepare a room before painters arrive?
Move all movable furniture, cover anything that cannot be relocated, protect floors with drop cloths, remove wall décor, clear shelves, and ensure easy access for painters. Proper decluttering helps prevent accidents and protects your belongings.
- How do I choose the right paint colours for different rooms?
Consider room size, natural light, purpose, and existing furniture. Light shades make smaller rooms feel bigger, while darker or bold colours work well in large, well-lit spaces. Visualizing the room with your furnishings helps you choose the right tone.
- What safety measures should be taken while painting?
Ensure good ventilation, use low-VOC paints when possible, keep pets and children away from painted areas, and have masks or inhalers ready for family members with allergies or respiratory issues. Scraping old paint can release dust, so extra care is essential.
- How can I protect my floors and furniture during painting?
Use heavy-duty fabric drop cloths or thick plastic covers. Tape edges securely to prevent paint seepage. Cover furniture that can’t be moved and remove smaller décor items, electronics, and fragile pieces to avoid accidental damage.
- Do I need to hire professionals, or is DIY painting enough?
DIY works well for small rooms and basic jobs, but professionals are recommended for large spaces, textured walls, high ceilings, and detailed finishes. Hiring licensed and insured painters in Canada provides added protection against damages or accidents.