exterior painters adelaide choosing a paint colour is only part of planning an interior repaint. The paint finish you choose can affect how a room looks, how much light it reflects, how easily the walls can be cleaned and how well the coating handles everyday wear.
Matt, low sheen, eggshell, satin and semi-gloss finishes all have different characteristics. A finish that works beautifully in a bedroom may not be the most practical choice for a busy kitchen, bathroom or hallway.
The best approach is to choose the finish according to the room’s function, moisture levels, traffic and condition of the walls. Australian paint manufacturers commonly provide different sheen levels for these purposes, with lower-sheen finishes generally producing a softer appearance and higher-sheen finishes offering greater washability and durability.
Here’s how to choose the right paint finish for every room in your home.
What Does Paint Finish or Sheen Mean?
Paint finish refers to how much light a painted surface reflects.
A flat or matt finish reflects very little light, while gloss reflects considerably more. Between those extremes are finishes such as eggshell, low sheen and semi-gloss.
The difference is not purely visual. Sheen can also influence how practical a painted surface is. Higher-sheen coatings are generally easier to clean and can be more resistant to everyday marks, while very low-sheen finishes can do a better job of disguising minor surface imperfections.
A useful general guide is:
| Paint Finish | Appearance | Common Uses |
| Flat | Very low reflection | Ceilings |
| Matt | Soft and non-reflective | Bedrooms, living areas |
| Eggshell | Subtle sheen | Living areas, hallways |
| Low sheen | Velvety and practical | Most interior walls |
| Semi-gloss | Noticeably reflective | Kitchens, bathrooms, trims |
| Gloss | Highly reflective | Doors, trims and selected details |
Exact sheen levels and recommended applications vary between manufacturers and products, so always check the product information before specifying a particular finish. Haymes, for example, classifies its low-sheen interior finish at approximately 5–8% sheen and semi-gloss at approximately 18–23%.
Best Paint Finish for Living Rooms
Living rooms usually need a balance between appearance and everyday durability.
For many homes, low sheen or matt is a practical starting point. These finishes produce a relatively soft appearance and don’t emphasise every small surface irregularity.
Low sheen can be particularly useful in family living spaces because it combines a relatively subtle appearance with washability. Haymes describes its low-sheen interior finish as suitable for bedrooms, living areas, kitchens and bathrooms.
Matt vs Low Sheen for Living Areas
Choose matt when your priority is a softer, less reflective appearance and the walls are in reasonably good condition.
Choose low sheen when you want a little more practicality for cleaning and everyday marks.
For a busy family room, low sheen can be a useful compromise between aesthetics and maintenance.
Best Paint Finish for Bedrooms
Bedrooms generally don’t experience the same level of moisture or heavy cleaning as kitchens and bathrooms.
A matt or low-sheen finish can therefore work well.
Matt paint absorbs more light than glossier finishes, creating a softer appearance. It can also help reduce the visibility of minor surface imperfections.
Low sheen is worth considering for children’s bedrooms or rooms that experience more everyday contact with walls. A washable low-sheen product can provide additional practicality without creating a strongly reflective appearance.
The colour and amount of natural light should also influence your decision. A darker bedroom with limited daylight may look quite different with a low-sheen finish compared with a flat matt coating.
Best Paint Finish for Kitchens
Kitchens have different requirements from bedrooms because walls can be exposed to cooking residue, splashes and frequent cleaning.
A washable low-sheen or semi-gloss finish can be appropriate, depending on the product and the specific surface.
Some products are specifically formulated for kitchen environments. Haymes’ Kitchen & Bathroom Interior Low Sheen, for example, is designed for high-humidity areas and offers washability, stain resistance and mould and mildew protection.
Should Kitchen Walls Be Glossy?
Not necessarily.
A very glossy finish can be highly reflective and may make surface imperfections more noticeable.
A quality low-sheen kitchen coating can provide a more restrained appearance while still offering practical cleaning properties.
The important point is to choose a product designed for the conditions rather than assuming that higher gloss automatically means better performance.
Best Paint Finish for Bathrooms
Bathrooms need a finish capable of handling moisture and regular cleaning.
A purpose-designed low-sheen or semi-gloss bathroom coating is often a practical choice, depending on the product.
Paint manufacturers offer coatings specifically formulated for high-humidity environments. Haymes, for example, describes its Kitchen & Bathroom range as suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, with a durable, washable finish designed for moisture-prone areas.
However, paint should not be treated as a substitute for proper bathroom ventilation or fixing moisture problems.
If a bathroom has persistent mould, peeling paint or water damage, investigate the underlying issue before repainting.
Best Paint Finish for Hallways and Entryways
Hallways experience more contact than many homeowners realise.
People regularly brush against walls, carry furniture through them and touch areas around doors and corners. Marks can therefore become noticeable relatively quickly.
An eggshell or low-sheen finish can be a useful option where you want a softer appearance while retaining practical washability.
Haymes describes eggshell as a low-reflective finish suited to living rooms, hallways and high-traffic areas.
For a particularly busy household, prioritise a product with good washability and mark resistance rather than choosing solely by sheen level.
Best Paint Finish for Laundry Rooms
Laundry rooms combine moisture with regular household use.
A washable low-sheen or semi-gloss finish can work well on suitable wall surfaces.
A product specifically formulated for moisture-prone areas may be preferable to a standard decorative wall coating. For example, specialist kitchen-and-bathroom coatings can be designed for areas including laundries and provide enhanced washability and resistance to moisture-related conditions.
As with bathrooms, ventilation and moisture control remain important.
Best Paint Finish for Ceilings
Ceilings are usually better suited to a flat or very low-sheen finish.
The reason is largely visual. Ceilings receive light from windows and artificial lighting, and a reflective coating can draw attention to roller marks, joins and minor imperfections.
Haymes identifies flat paint as a ceiling finish because its very low sheen reduces light reflection and can help provide a more uniform appearance.
A ceiling generally doesn’t need the same washability as a kitchen splashback area, so there is little reason to use a highly reflective coating simply for durability.
Best Finish for Doors, Skirting Boards and Trims
Doors, architraves, skirting boards and other trims are touched and handled frequently, so durability and cleanability become more important.
A semi-gloss or gloss finish can be appropriate for these areas when the product is designed for the substrate.
Higher-sheen coatings can provide a tougher, smoother surface that is easier to wipe clean. Haymes recommends gloss finishes for areas such as doors, trims, windows and furniture where a hard-wearing surface is required.
Gloss does have a trade-off: it reflects more light and can highlight dents, sanding marks and uneven surfaces.
That makes preparation particularly important.
How Wall Condition Should Influence Your Finish
The condition of your walls should be considered before choosing a sheen.
Higher-sheen finishes can draw attention to surface irregularities because reflected light makes imperfections easier to see.
If walls contain minor imperfections, a matt or low-sheen finish may create a more forgiving appearance.
However, changing the sheen will not fix major wall defects.
Large cracks, damaged plaster, uneven repairs, peeling coatings or moisture damage should be addressed during preparation before applying the finishing coats.
How Lighting Changes the Appearance of a Finish
The same colour can appear different depending on the finish and lighting.
A low-sheen wall reflects some light, while a semi-gloss surface produces stronger highlights.
Natural daylight, downlights and directional lighting can therefore change how noticeable the sheen becomes.
Before committing to an entire room, test the actual paint product on the wall where practical.
Look at it during the day and under the artificial lighting normally used in the room.
This is especially useful when choosing between closely related finishes such as matt and low sheen.
Should Every Room Have the Same Paint Finish?
No.
Using different finishes according to the room’s function is often more practical.
For example, you might use:
- Flat finish on ceilings
- Low sheen on bedroom and living room walls
- Eggshell in busy hallways
- Washable low sheen or semi-gloss in kitchens
- Bathroom-specific low sheen or semi-gloss in moisture-prone areas
- Semi-gloss or gloss on selected doors and trims
You can still maintain a consistent appearance by keeping the colour palette connected throughout the house.
The finish simply changes according to the demands of each surface.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the Same Finish Everywhere
Different rooms have different cleaning and moisture requirements.
Using High Gloss to Hide Wall Problems
Gloss can actually make imperfections more visible. Fix the surface rather than relying on the finish.
Choosing Paint Based Only on Sheen
Two products with a similar sheen can have different performance characteristics. Check the manufacturer’s specifications.
Using Standard Wall Paint in Moisture-Prone Areas
Bathrooms and kitchens can benefit from products specifically designed for their conditions.
Ignoring Test Patches
A finish can look considerably different under your home’s lighting than it does on a small colour card.
Assuming More Gloss Always Means Better
Higher sheen can improve cleanability in some applications, but appearance, substrate condition and product suitability also matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best paint finish for interior walls?
Low sheen is a versatile choice for many interior walls because it offers a relatively soft appearance while providing practical washability. Matt can also be suitable where a lower-reflective appearance is preferred.
Is low sheen better than matt paint?
Neither is universally better. Matt can be preferable for a softer appearance and hiding minor imperfections, while low sheen generally offers a useful balance between appearance and everyday cleaning.
What paint finish is best for a bathroom?
Use a coating specifically designed for bathroom or moisture-prone conditions. Depending on the product, low sheen or semi-gloss can be suitable. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended application areas.
Should kitchen walls be matt or semi-gloss?
Both can be suitable depending on the product and location. A washable low-sheen kitchen coating can provide a softer appearance, while semi-gloss provides a more reflective, easy-clean surface.
What is the best finish for skirting boards?
Semi-gloss or gloss is commonly used for trims because these finishes provide a durable, washable surface. However, preparation quality is especially important because higher sheen can reveal imperfections.
Can I use gloss paint on walls?
You can, where the product is suitable, but high gloss creates strong reflections and can emphasise surface imperfections. It is generally better suited to selected high-contact areas than large wall surfaces.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right paint finish is about matching the coating to the room rather than choosing the same sheen throughout the house.
For many living areas and bedrooms, matt or low sheen provides a comfortable balance between appearance and practicality. Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries require greater consideration of moisture and cleaning, while hallways and trims benefit from finishes that can handle more frequent contact.
The product itself matters just as much as the sheen. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the intended room and surface.
If you are planning an interior repaint, discuss the finish with your painter before work begins. A professional can assess the existing surfaces, identify preparation requirements and help you select a coating system that suits how each room is actually used.