Choosing the Right Paint Sheen: A Guide for Your Home

When it comes to painting your home, color usually gets all the attention. But just as important, and often overlooked, is the paint sheen. The sheen you choose affects not only the final look of your walls, trim, and doors but also how well they hold up to everyday life. At Citizen Builders, we carefully consider paint sheen in every project, knowing it can elevate a design from good to exceptional.

Dorothy at Day house Studio envisioned the dual sheen concept In our recent Bountiful project. We used two different sheens of black paint to achieve a layered, sophisticated effect: a satin sheen on the baseboards and doors, and a matte sheen with Scotchgard protection on the walls. Let’s walk through what this means, why it matters, and how it can help you make the right choice for your own home.

What Is Paint Sheen?

Paint sheen refers to how shiny, or matte, the surface looks once the paint dries. The higher the sheen, the more reflective the finish. Sheen doesn’t just change the appearance of a color; it also affects durability, washability, and how much light bounces around the room.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common sheens and where they typically work best:

• Flat/Matte

  • Appearance: Soft, velvety, no shine.

  • Best for: Walls in low-traffic areas or ceilings.

  • Pros: Hides imperfections beautifully.

  • Cons: Traditionally harder to clean, but new technology has improved durability.

• Eggshell

  • Appearance: Slight hint of sheen, like the surface of an eggshell.

  • Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms, or moderate-traffic walls.

  • Pros: More washable than matte, still soft in appearance.

• Satin

  • Appearance: Smooth with a gentle luster.

  • Best for: Trim, doors, hallways, and kitchens.

  • Pros: Durable and easy to clean, resists scuffs and fingerprints.

• Semi-Gloss

  • Appearance: Noticeably shiny.

  • Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens, trim, cabinets.

  • Pros: Moisture-resistant and highly durable.

  • Cons: Can highlight surface imperfections.

• High-Gloss

  • Appearance: Reflective, almost glass-like.

  • Best for: Accent pieces, furniture, or very modern spaces.

  • Pros: Incredibly durable.

  • Cons: Shows every flaw in the surface prep.

How Sheen Changes Color

The sheen you select can subtly change the way a paint color looks in your home. A higher sheen (like satin or semi-gloss) reflects more light, making colors appear slightly lighter and more vibrant. A lower sheen (like matte or flat) absorbs light, creating a deeper, more muted look.

This effect is especially important with darker colors like black. In our Bountiful project, we wanted the walls to feel rich, deep, and soft, while the trim and doors needed just a touch of sheen to set them apart. Using two different finishes of the same black gave the home depth and definition without introducing another color.

Why We Used Two Sheens of Black in Bountiful

• Walls: Matte with Scotchgard Finish
  We chose a matte finish for the walls to create a moody, elegant backdrop. Matte is ideal for achieving that soft, dramatic look—especially with black paint. The challenge with matte paint, however, has always been durability. That’s where Scotchgard technology comes in.

  Scotchgard provides an invisible protective layer that makes matte walls far more washable and resistant to stains. This means fingerprints, smudges, or scuffs can be wiped away without damaging the finish or leaving shiny spots behind. It allowed us to give our clients the richness of matte black while still making the walls practical for everyday living.

• Baseboards & Doors: Satin Finish
  For the trim and doors, we used a satin sheen. Satin has just the right amount of luster to highlight architectural details, resist wear and tear, and make surfaces easier to clean. In high-contact areas like doors and baseboards, a more durable sheen is essential.

  The satin sheen reflects a touch of light, subtly outlining the trim against the matte walls. This created a layered effect: same color, different sheen. The result is a space that feels polished and intentional, without being overwhelming.

How to Choose the Right Sheen for Your Project

When selecting paint sheens for your own home, here are a few guiding questions:

1. What’s the function of the space?
   High-traffic areas need more durable sheens like satin or semi-gloss, while lower-traffic spaces can enjoy the elegance of matte or eggshell.

2. Do you want to highlight or hide?
   Shiny finishes highlight details (and flaws), while matte finishes hide imperfections and create a softer look.

3. How dramatic should the effect be?
   If you’re using dark colors, consider mixing sheens like we did in Bountiful. This adds contrast and depth without changing the color palette.

4. What’s your lifestyle?
   Families with kids and pets often benefit from satin or washable matte finishes. If you entertain frequently, durable walls are a must.

Paint sheen is one of the most powerful tools in interior design. It affects the way your paint color looks, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to live with. At Citizen Builders, we love using sheen to add subtle dimension and durability to our projects.

Our Bountiful home is the perfect example: matte black walls with Scotchgard protection paired with satin black trim and doors created a sophisticated, modern, and highly functional space.

When choosing your paint, don’t stop at the color—choose the sheen that will help your home shine (or stay soft and velvety) in all the right ways.