Best Paint Finish for a Living Room: Interior Designer Tips On How To Choose
One of the easiest ways to spice up a living room is by updating the wall paint. It instantly makes the room seem newer and more interesting. It is also less expensive than revamping all of your furniture. Before heading out to the store to pick up your new wall paint, it is advisable to determine the best paint finish for a living room and its overall use. Paint has different types of sheen, depending on whether it absorbs or reflects light. Each type of paint finish has its own pros and cons. Some finishes are more appropriate for specific types of rooms, depending on their durability and convenience in cleaning.
What Paint Finish To Use In Living Rooms?
The living room is usually the first room you set foot in when entering a house. Some houses have a formal living room used only to receive guests, meaning the family does not use it for social events or as a common room. Smaller houses usually have living rooms as family rooms, so they are in high traffic because they are used for entertainment and social gatherings.
Flat paint is often the best paint finish for formal living rooms. It hides imperfections on the walls and gives them a matte look. The formal living room does not need frequent cleanup, as it is a low-traffic area, which is great for this type of paint finish.
For living rooms that also serve as high-traffic family rooms, the best paint finish to use is often eggshell or satin. Eggshell can be easily cleaned, so any spills and drips can be wiped with a wet rag. While satin finish is more durable than eggshell, it is ideal for active rooms like playrooms.
Types of Interior Paint Finishes
Living Room Paint Finish Comparison Chart
Sheen is the part most people skip at the paint counter, and it’s the part you’ll notice every day once the walls are dry. Here’s how the five finishes stack up for a living room specifically, from flattest to shiniest.
| Finish | Sheen Level | Durability & Cleaning | Hides Wall Flaws | Best Living Room Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat / Matte | Lowest, roughly 0 to 5% gloss | Least durable. Scrubbing tends to burnish a shiny spot into the paint | Best. Swallows bumps, patches, and old drywall seams | Formal living rooms, ceilings, textured walls, deep moody colors |
| Eggshell | Low, roughly 10 to 25% gloss | Good. Wipes clean with a damp rag without leaving a mark | Very good. Slight glow, still forgiving | The safe default for most living rooms. Walls that see normal life |
| Satin | Medium, roughly 25 to 35% gloss | Strong. Handles repeat scrubbing, sticky fingers, and dog height | Fair. Raking light will pick out patched spots | Living rooms doing family room duty, hallways feeding into them |
| Semi-Gloss | High, roughly 35 to 70% gloss | Very strong. Moisture and grease wipe right off | Poor. Shows every dent and roller mark | Trim, baseboards, doors, window casings. Not full walls |
| High-Gloss | Highest, roughly 70%+ gloss | Toughest of the five. Nearly scrubbable to a fault | Worst. Acts like a spotlight on flaws | Built-ins, a lacquered accent wall, fireplace surrounds and mantels |
Quick rule of thumb: the more sheen a paint has, the tougher it is and the less it forgives. Older walls with waves and patches? Stay at eggshell or below. New drywall in a room where kids park their hands on the wall? Satin earns its keep.
Two things worth checking before you commit. First, look at where your windows are, as a wall that catches low afternoon sun straight across it will show sheen far more than the wall facing it, so a satin that looked fine on the sample board can read almost glossy at 5pm. Second, sheen names aren’t standardized across brands. One company’s eggshell is another’s low-lustre, and the gloss numbers drift a bit between lines. Compare the sheen chart on the can, not the word on the label.
Below, we discuss the different types of paint finishes, from the one with the least sheen to the shiniest.
Flat Paint Finish
The flat paint finish is also known as a matte finish. As the name suggests, this paint finish has the least shine and does not reflect light. This quality allows the paint to cover up wall imperfections, such as bumps and small cracks. It is also the best choice for textured walls because it is smoother over rough surfaces. However, flat paint is harder to clean and thus not advised for high-traffic areas such as bathrooms or kitchens. It is also the least durable of all the paint finishes. The flat paint finish is great for ceilings, accent walls, and low-traffic rooms that do not need constant cleaning.
Eggshell Finish
Just like its name, this paint finish has a slight sheen that can be found on eggshells. The eggshell finish has more luster than the flat paint finish. It also resists stains better and is easily cleaned with a wet rag. This finish is also used for decorative purposes. This paint finish is best used in rooms with a little more durability, such as mud rooms, laundry rooms, kids’ rooms, dining rooms, rec rooms, and bedrooms. It is a great choice for walls because of its “just right” sheen.
Satin Finish
The satin finish has a slight luster compared to semi-gloss finish products. It is more durable and has a higher sheen compared to the eggshell finish. Compared to its lower-sheen counterparts, the satin finish is easier to clean. This finish is ideal for more active rooms such as family rooms, foyer, hallways, playrooms, and kids’ bedrooms. Due to its high durability, this finish can also be used outdoors. The satin finish is also used on window trims, door trims, and shutters.
Semi-gloss Finish
The semi-gloss finish reflects light, which causes its shiny appearance. In terms of durability, it is tougher than the eggshell finish and will show less wear. It stands out best for water and cleaning, which is a big convenience for rooms that need to be cleaned constantly. The semi-gloss finish is recommended for kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms. It can also be used for trims, doors, and furniture. The semi-gloss is perfect for rooms where moisture, drips, and grease stains are abundant on walls.
High-gloss Finish
Out of all the types of paint finishes, the high-gloss is the most durable and easiest to clean. It is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. This glossy type of shine is the best choice for cabinets, trims, and doors. However, this finish has too much shine for interior walls. Its sheen will highlight nearly all of the imperfections on the walls. The high-gloss sheen is great for high-traffic areas like kitchens because it is convenient for cleaning.
Visit this page for even more living room paint ideas to help you find the best color for your design. If you have found the color you like, there are paint color apps that can tell you the name of the paint so you can bring your idea to life.
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