6 Types of wall paint: Know the right one for your home

It’s easy to go with the first paint colour that catches your interest. But will it work for your busy household? More importantly, will it stand the test of time? There are many types of wall paint to choose from. And if you choose the wrong one, you could end up doing touch-ups. Or worse, a do-over! 

To save you the trouble (and money), here’s what you should know about the different types of interior paint and where they’re best used. 

Types of interior paint 

1. Flat or matte finish

Let’s start with the most commonly used type of paint for interior walls and what’s usually considered the standard sheen for interior walls: the flat or matte finish. 

A flat or matte finish soaks up light rather than reflects it, resulting in that flat or muted tone to your walls. It has a soft and the least reflective sheen. But it’s pigmented, which means you enjoy a greater depth of colour, more coverage, and a velvety texture to your walls.  

And because of its excellent coverage, you save time and money. It’s the best type of paint for interior walls with holes or scratches because it can easily hide imperfections, which is why it’s also known as the ‘concealer of paints.’ 

• Best for: Low-traffic areas like the dining room and bedroom
• Pros: Has the most pigment, provides great coverage, excellent at hiding imperfections, money-saver
• Cons: Not very durable, difficult to clean
  
  

2. Textured finish 

What type of paint for interior walls should you use if you want a distinct, rustic look? You can use a textured paint finish if you’re leaning towards wall paint design ideas with a 3D effect. 

A textured finish is among the interior paint finishes perfect for signature walls because they add elegance and depth, especially to the walls in your bedroom or study.  

Depending on your style or personal preference, you can opt for that layered or gritty look, which can also be an easy way to hide your walls’ imperfections. You can choose from metallic to brick to ethnic, too. It depends on your space and how you can make everything look cohesive. 

• Best for: Accent or feature walls
• Pros: Can easily hide a wall’s imperfections, aesthetically pleasing, quite durable 
• Cons: Some designs can make a room look dated. It can also cost more as it’s a specialty finish.
   

3. Eggshell finish

Unlike the flat, unpolished look of matte finish paints, eggshell finish paints have that light, soft eggshell sheen (hence the name). Just think of it as a combination of flat and satin paints. 

It has subtle reflectivity and a great deal of durability, making it one of the most recommended types of interior paint for high-traffic areas and demanding environments like the bathroom and kitchen. As such, they’re also a great option if you want easy cleanups. 

Want to cover that ugly nail hole or scratched wall? An eggshell finish can sort that out for you, too. 

• Best for: Hallways and low to medium-traffic gathering spaces like the living and dining room
• Pros: Washable, scuff-resistant, and has a soft sheen and great coverage/concealing properties
• Cons: Not lustrous and can be hard to do a touch-up
   

4. Satin finish

What other types of interior paint finishes are there? Check out satin finish paints if you’re looking for the best paint for areas that don’t get a lot of natural light, like the hallway or the kitchen. 

Satin finish paints have a pearl sheen and texture without the glossy finish. It’s more reflective than an eggshell finish but has a softer and more velvety finish. The plus side is that it’s also easy to clean while giving an elegant look to the room. 

• Best for: Areas without a lot of natural light, high-traffic areas like kitchens and living rooms, and moisture-exposed areas 
• Pros: Elegant look, durable, and easy to clean
• Con: Does not hide imperfections like rookie brush or roller strokes and other touch-ups
   

5. Semi-gloss

Don’t want something too flat or too shiny? You can easily strike a balance with a semi-gloss paint finish. 

It has that reflective and smooth sheen that isn’t as shiny or reflective as high-gloss paints. For this reason, semi-gloss paints are often used with other finishes to create a dual-toned signature or wall accent. 

Moreover, it’s mildew-resistant. You can use it in areas constantly exposed to moisture, like kitchens, dining rooms, and kid’s playrooms. 

• Best for: Rooms prone to drips and humidity, like kitchens and bathrooms 
• Pros: Mildew-resistant, makes a space look bigger, has a smooth and soft sheen, easy to clean, durable 
• Cons: Not shiny and does not hide wall imperfections very well
  
  

6. High-gloss finish

Want the highest shine on your interiors? Choose a high-gloss finish for the best kind of reflective finish. 

A high-gloss finish is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, accent walls, and window trims. You can also use a high-gloss finish for areas in your home that don’t get natural light, like reading nooks, powder rooms, and hallways. 

This type of wall paint is also highly durable and cleanable, so it can stand regular dirt or stains and multiple cleanings. 

• Best for: Kitchens and bathrooms, as well as window trims, cabinetry, and accents 
• Pros: Durable, easy to clean, works well with moisture, and an excellent choice for achieving designer walls 
• Cons: Trickier to apply and cannot hide imperfections; multiple coats required
  
  

☞ Also read:

• Wall painting techniques

• House painting hacks

How to choose the right paint finish

Play around with paint samples to see how it will look in different rooms and against different lights when dry. They may look gorgeous in a magazine or at the home improvement store but look totally different in your tiny bedroom or kitchen. 

• The higher the sheen, the more imperfections it will show. So if you’re trying to hide scratches, bumps, or holes, go for the non-gloss types of wall paint. 

• To achieve a serene or calm atmosphere in a room, go for a matte finish. 

• Opt for a gloss finish if you want energy and activity. Gloss-finish paints are also perfect for high-traffic areas and dirt-magnet walls. 

• Use satin and eggshell paints for smaller rooms with little to no natural light to bring out the paint colour.  

Picking the right type of paint doesn’t have to be complicated   

A simple coat of paint can quickly transform a tired-looking space. But apart from choosing the right paint colour, you should also pick the right kind of sheen to make the paint last even longer.  

Take note of the above tips before you start your paint project. The busiest areas in your house should have a durable, easy-to-clean type of finish, like satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. As for the rest, you can explore and experiment with matte, eggshell, or textured paint finishes. 

If you find that these tasks are beyond your comfort level, don’t worry. Plenty of skilled painters on Airtasker can take care of them for you. Check out this guide on interior painting costs to plan your budget now.