Not only do you have to decide what color you will paint your walls, you also have to decide the sheen of the paint. The "sheen" is the shininess of the paint and has a big effect on the look and durability of the paint job. It also affects coverage (how many coats you'll need).
In general, the less shiny the finish, the more sophisticated the final look. However, the inverse is true for durability - in general, the more shiny, the more durable and washable. You should also know that the sheen can change how a color looks to your eye and may appear darker or lighter with a glossier finish.
There are four basic levels of sheen: flat or matte, eggshell and satin, semigloss, and gloss. With some manufacturers, they have both eggshell and satin (eggshell having slightly less sheen) and some also have a high gloss in addition to the standard gloss.
Flat Paint
Also called "matte," this finish is generally non-reflective (though many top quality flats still have a very slight sheen) and is the most forgiving in that it can hide surface imperfections, including scratches and small dents. A flat paint also has the greatest hiding capability allowing for fewer coats of paint.
Flat paint is a good choice for large interior ceilings and for walls in living areas that don’t get a lot of abuse. It is not recommended for areas with high humidity and water exposure. My favorite matte finish paint is Aura by Benjamin Moore - it looks like velvet in the darker colors!
Eggshell or Satin
Both eggshell and satin paint have slightly more sheen than flat, satin having more sheen than eggshell.
I use satin or eggshell on kid’s room walls, kitchen and bathrooms because they have better stain resistance than flat paints and can be scrubbed more vigorously. It also resists humidity well, though your bathrooms should still have good venting.
Satin can be a nice choice for trim if you don’t want it too shiny, and it is a great choice for exterior use since it readily sheds water and resists the effects of the sun.
Semi-Gloss Paint
The next highest sheen, semigloss, is even more resistant to dirt and scuff marks, and easier to clean. It’s traditionally used in kitchens, bathrooms and on trim, windows or doors. As satin paints have improved I don’t tend to use semigloss on walls any more because it looks a little too plasticky to me and really highlights imperfections in the walls, so I reserve it for trim, windows and doors. Still, it can be a smart choice for a kid’s bathroom.
Gloss Paint
Gloss paint it highly reflective, very tough, more stain resistant and easier to clean than any lower paint sheen. Because of its highly reflective nature it will really highlight surface imperfections. Gloss paint can be used on trim, doors and windows, but choose it carefully as this type of paint will produce a "plastic" coated look on smooth trim and doors. That can be great if it is the look you want.
Other notes
This information all refers to water based paints. Some people really prefer to use oil paint for doors, windows and trim as it is more durable and because it dries more slowly, brush marks have time to even out. Bear in mind that oil paint is much more toxic and must be used in a well-ventilated area, and that it must be cleaned up with spirits instead of just water. Anther option for that higher durability is to choose a latex "enamel" - these have more binder content than other types of finishes and so are harder, more stain and scuff resistant ,plus are more washable than other interior finishes.
This information is also meant for guidance on painting the interior of a home, but each paint sheen is also available for exterior use. I recommend a satin sheen for exterior walls because it sheds water well, but still looks sophisticated. Just keep in mind that the shinier the paint, the more it will shed water and resist dirt pick-up. For exterior trim you can stick with satin, or go to a semi gloss or even a gloss.
The ability for a paint to hide an existing color is directly affected by the sheen of the new paint. In general, flat paint covers the best, gloss the worst. So, say it takes two coats of flat paint, you’ll want three or more coats of semi-gloss or gloss for perfect coverage.
Remember that every manufacturer will have a slightly different definition of each sheen, so be sure to look at the samples for the specific brand you are buying before committing to a given sheen. The samples on paint chips are usually given in a flat sheen.
Happy painting!
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