Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss: Which Sheen Goes Where

"Sheen" is how shiny paint looks once it dries. Picking the right one matters as much as picking the color.

Flat (matte). No shine, and great at hiding wall bumps and patches. It's harder to wipe clean, though. Best for ceilings and low-traffic rooms like adult bedrooms.

Eggshell. A soft, low glow. It's a little more washable than flat and still hides flaws well. It's the go-to for living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways.

Satin. A gentle shine that stands up to scrubbing. Use it in kitchens, bathrooms, kids' rooms, and anywhere hands and messes happen.

Semi-gloss. Shiny, tough, and very easy to clean. Perfect for trim, doors, baseboards, and cabinets. The catch: it shows every dent and brush mark, so prep matters.

Gloss. The shiniest option. It's mostly used for accents, furniture, or a bold, modern look on doors.

A simple rule: the shinier the paint, the easier it is to clean, but the more it shows flaws.

Our pick: We recommend Behr paint, which comes in all of these sheens.

Bottom line: Use flat on ceilings, eggshell or satin on walls, and semi-gloss on trim, and you can't go wrong.

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