Getting ready to paint involves several steps, including picking out the perfect paint. Along with choosing a color, it’s crucial to pick out the right finish. Today, there are numerous finishes available, from a matte without any sheen to a high-gloss with maximum sheen. And, to make things more complicated, there is no one right answer for what finish to use when working on a painting project. When picking out the finish, there are several things to think about, including the following.
Where the Paint Goes
Where is the paint going to go? Walls often have almost any finish, from matte to semi-gloss, depending on other factors. Trim and cabinet paint are usually a semi-gloss or high gloss for ease of cleaning and to enhance the item’s look. Paint that goes on the ceiling is often matte or eggshell since it’s not going to get dirty easily and doesn’t need to shine. Think carefully about the type of surface that will be painted, how large it is, and where it will go in the room. While this does impact color options, it impacts the finish, as well.
The Color of the Paint
The color of the paint can be altered based on the finish chosen – colors can look different if they are matte or if they are very shiny. It’s important to test paint colors to find the right one for the room and check out the paint color in different types of lighting to get the right look. Along with doing this, take time to test the finishes. Once the right color is chosen, test at least a couple of different finishes in different parts of the room and different lighting to see how they change the paint color. Be sure to use larger test swatches to get a good idea to see how the colors look.
Desired Sheen When Finished
Some people will prefer a shinier surface, while others may want more of a matte look. Right now, dark matte colors, especially for accent walls, is highly popular, but it’s not a great choice everywhere. In bathrooms, for example, there is a lot of moisture, so a matte finish that doesn’t protect the pain is not a good idea. Other people might want to pick out a glossier finish, as they prefer the shiny look it offers. When testing the finishes, see if one just looks better than another.
Lighting in the Room
The lighting in the room can impact the way the paint and finish the look. Natural light will provide a better view of how the color looks, but it is important to test the colors and finishes in the light that will be used in the room. If the room doesn’t have a lot of natural light but has a significant amount of artificial light, test the colors in artificial light to see how they’ll look. Don’t forget to check them out when it’s dark, and there’s low light in the room, too.
Cleaning and Durability
How frequently will the surface need to be cleaned? Cabinets may be cleaned regularly, so a higher gloss is desired. More sheen in the finish means it’s smoother and easier to clean. It also helps prevent stains. In children’s rooms and playrooms, a semi-gloss or gloss is often a good idea since these walls may need to be cleaned more often. In rooms with low traffic, like a living room that is used infrequently, a matte, eggshell, or satin finish will be fine since the walls won’t need to be cleaned often.
Ease of Painting
The ease of painting can make a bigger difference than many people realize. The higher the gloss, the more likely it is imperfections will stand out. A matte or eggshell finish will hide imperfections on the surface as well as the paint is better than a semi-gloss or gloss finish. This also means it’s going to be easier to paint the matte or eggshell since imperfections will be hidden. Most of the time, it’s recommended to have a professional handle the painting if high-gloss is used because it can show imperfections more than other finishes.
When it’s time to paint, the color isn’t the only consideration. Once the perfect color is picked out, take the time to think about the finish, too. The right finish can make a huge difference in how the project looks, but it’s not always easy to pick out an amazing finish. There are tons of options available today, from matte to high-gloss and everything in between. Since any number of finishes can be right for a project, use the tips here to narrow down the options and find one that’s going to look great and provide all of the benefits needed.