Matt, Silk, Eggshell or Gloss? Which Paint Finish to Use and When

Walk into any paint aisle and you’ll see the same colour in four or five different finish options. Most people pick one without thinking too hard about it — and then wonder why the walls look different from how they expected, or why the paint marks up easily in a room that gets heavy use. The finish is not just a stylistic choice. It affects durability, how easy the wall is to clean, and whether imperfections in the surface show up or stay hidden.

Here’s what each finish is for and where to use it.

Matt

Matt paint has no sheen at all. It absorbs light rather than reflecting it, which means it makes colours look richer and deeper, and it’s extremely good at hiding minor surface imperfections — uneven plaster, slight indentations, old filled holes. If the wall surface isn’t perfectly smooth, matt is forgiving.

Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and ceilings. Anywhere that doesn’t get heavy traffic or frequent wiping down.

Not ideal for: Kitchens, bathrooms, or hallways. Matt paint marks easily and is harder to clean — wiping a mark off a matt wall often just spreads it or removes the paint.

Eggshell

Eggshell has a very subtle low sheen — just enough to give the surface some durability without looking obviously glossy. It’s more washable than matt and holds up better in areas that see occasional scuffs or wiping, while still looking relatively flat from a distance.

Best for: Hallways and stairs (high-traffic areas where you need durability), woodwork in rooms where you don’t want a full gloss look, and walls in children’s rooms where you’ll need to wipe things down regularly.

Worth knowing: Eggshell shows surface imperfections more than matt, so prep matters more — fill and sand before applying.

Silk / Satin

Silk and satin are the same thing under different brand names. They have a noticeable sheen that reflects light and gives a smooth, slightly polished look. They’re also the most washable of the standard wall finishes — you can wipe them down repeatedly without damaging the surface.

Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, and any room that gets steam, condensation, or frequent cleaning. Also good for feature walls where you want a slightly more reflective look.

Worth knowing: The sheen will show every imperfection in the surface beneath it. If your walls have a lot of texture variation, silk will make it more visible, not less. Prep properly first.

Gloss

Gloss is the most durable and most reflective of all. It creates a hard, shiny surface that can be wiped clean easily and resists knocks and moisture well. It’s almost never used on walls because the high reflectivity shows every brush stroke, roller mark, and surface flaw. On the right surface, though, it looks sharp and lasts well.

Best for: Skirting boards, door frames, banisters, window sills, radiators, and any exposed woodwork or metalwork. Also appropriate for interior doors if you want a traditional look.

Not for walls: Unless you’re going for a specific high-gloss feature effect, gloss on walls is very difficult to apply well and easy to get wrong.

Quick Reference

• Ceilings: Matt only
• Living rooms / bedrooms: Matt
• Hallways / stairs: Eggshell (durable, washable)
• Kitchens / bathrooms: Silk or satin
• Kids’ rooms: Eggshell or silk (both washable)
• Skirting boards / door frames / woodwork: Eggshell or gloss
• Radiators: Specialist radiator paint, or gloss