Choosing the right paint finish — matt, eggshell, satin, gloss

A plain-English guide from five years of painting walls and woodwork in South East London.

Paint finish (the "sheen level") is one of the most-asked and most-under-explained parts of decorating. Walk into B&Q and you'll see Matt, Silk, Satin, Soft Sheen, Velvet, Eggshell, Gloss — each marketed as the "best for bedrooms" or "hardwearing for kitchens". The reality is simpler.

This post breaks down what each finish is actually good for.

What "finish" means

Paint finish = how shiny the paint looks when it's dry. Higher sheen means:

• More light bounces back
• More durable (shinier paint is physically harder)
• Easier to wipe clean
• Shows up wall imperfections more visibly

Lower sheen means:

• Softer, more velvet look
• Slightly less durable
• Harder to clean
• Hides imperfections better

The trade-off is always: shinier = tougher but reveals every flaw.

The main finish levels

Matt

0-5% sheen. Flat, soft, no reflection. The default for walls and ceilings.

Use for: most walls, all ceilings, anywhere you want a soft, quiet look.

Pros: hides filler, hides roller stipple, looks right in period homes, feels warm.

Cons: marks easily, hard to wipe clean, fingerprints show.

My recommendations: Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion, Little Greene Intelligent Matt, Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt, Mylands Marble Matt.

Modern Matt / Washable Matt

5-10% sheen. Looks like matt, wipes like eggshell. A relatively new category.

Use for: walls in hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, kids' rooms — anywhere you'd normally go matt but need durability.

Pros: cleans up with a damp cloth, keeps the softness of matt.

Cons: slightly plasticky on close inspection, costs more than standard matt.

My recommendations: Little Greene Intelligent Matt, F&B Modern Emulsion, Tikkurila Feelings Matt, Dulux Diamond Matt.

Eggshell

10-20% sheen. Subtle satin, slightly reflective.

Use for: woodwork (skirting, architrave, doors), kitchen and bathroom walls on high-traffic projects.

Pros: properly wipeable, durable, looks beautiful on period woodwork.

Cons: shows brush marks if applied badly, shows wall imperfections if used on walls.

My recommendations: Mylands Eggshell (oil-based, stunning on woodwork), Tikkurila Helmi 10, F&B Estate Eggshell.

Satin / Soft Sheen

20-40% sheen. Noticeable shine.

Use for: woodwork in high-traffic environments (rental properties, commercial jobs). Less commonly on walls.

Pros: very durable, cleans perfectly.

Cons: too shiny for most domestic walls. Can look cheap on period woodwork.

My recommendations: Tikkurila Helmi 30, Dulux Trade Satinwood.

Gloss

80-90% sheen. Full mirror shine.

Use for: Victorian banisters where you want the traditional high-shine look. Sometimes doors and front doors.

Pros: the most durable finish. Properly traditional look on period woodwork.

Cons: shows every brush mark, flaw and dust nib. Yellows over time (oil-based). Tricky to get right.

My recommendations: Dulux Trade High Gloss, old-school oil-based.

Common mistakes

Silk on walls. An old default, now dated. Looks plasticky, reflects light in a way that emphasises every roller mark. Modern matt gives you the same durability with a much better look.

Matt on woodwork. Will not stand up to cleaning. Every fingerprint, every splash of cooking grease becomes permanent.

Gloss on hallway skirting. Too shiny for most modern homes. An eggshell in a warm off-white is usually a better call.

Different finishes in the same room without thinking. Matt wall, satin woodwork, gloss skirting = visually jarring. Pick a coherent system.

What I recommend on most jobs

For a standard Victorian or Edwardian terrace in Dulwich:

• Walls: Little Greene Intelligent Matt or F&B Modern Emulsion
• Ceilings: Same brand's matt ceiling paint
• Woodwork: Mylands oil-based eggshell (period look) or Tikkurila Helmi 10 water-based (modern look, no yellowing)
• Radiators: Tikkurila Helmi 30 satin
• Front door: Mylands oil-based eggshell or Little Greene Intelligent Gloss