Sheens from flat to high gloss
| Sheen | Look and wear | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flat | No shine; rich color, hides flaws, but prone to scuffs and stains | Ceilings, adult bedrooms, formal living rooms, textured walls |
| Matte | Nearly as shine-free as flat, with a bit more durability | Living and dining rooms |
| Eggshell | Low sheen, much more durable than flat | Bedrooms, living areas |
| Satin | Smoother, washable, good for nicks and scuffs | Hallways, kids' rooms, family rooms, woodwork |
| Semi-gloss | Subtle shine, easy to clean | Trim, doors, kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms |
| Gloss / high gloss | The shiniest and most durable, but shows every flaw | Cabinets, doors, trim, furniture |
Sources: Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore.
The trade-off: washable vs forgiving
Higher sheens clean better but show more. Benjamin Moore says gloss reflects light and can accentuate blemishes, so avoid it on surfaces that aren't completely smooth; on the other hand, stains are harder to remove from low sheens, and heavy scrubbing can leave shiny spots (Benjamin Moore). Sherwin-Williams: to hide imperfections, use flat or eggshell; for high traffic or moisture, use satin or semi-gloss (Sherwin-Williams).
That matters in older Twin Cities homes with plaster walls and decades of patches: a lower sheen hides a lot.
Bathrooms and kitchens
Sherwin-Williams recommends satin or semi-gloss in bathrooms because it stands up to moisture, and semi-gloss in kitchens for easy cleaning (Sherwin-Williams). If you want a matte look in a bathroom, use a paint made for it: Benjamin Moore's Aura Bath & Spa is a matte bathroom paint with a mildew-resistant coating (Benjamin Moore).
Sheen names aren't standard across brands
One brand's satin can be shinier than another's. The Master Painters Institute defines seven gloss levels by measured reflectivity (MPI), but paint labels use marketing names. If you're touching up or matching, match the brand and product, not just the word on the can.
Fumes and fresh air
Paints contain solvents that release VOCs, and EPA says indoor VOC levels can run 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors. Its advice: increase ventilation when painting and follow label precautions (EPA). In a Minnesota winter, when windows stay shut, low-VOC paint and good ventilation matter more.
Leftover paint in Minnesota
Minnesota's PaintCare program takes leftover house paint, primer, stain and clear coatings free at drop-off sites around the state; a small fee is built into the price of new paint (PaintCare Minnesota).
Quick picks
- Ceilings: flat
- Bedrooms and living rooms: matte or eggshell
- Hallways and kids' rooms: satin
- Kitchens and bathrooms: satin or semi-gloss (or a bath-rated matte)
- Trim and doors: semi-gloss
- Cabinets: semi-gloss or gloss