Choosing the right type of wall paint for each room of your home is important for durability, cleanliness and longevity. The majority of interior paint used today is water-based latex and can also include a built-in primer. Having the added primer helps cover the old paint colour and increases the adhesion of the top coat. The sheen you choose for each room will depend on the use of that space. The following are common guidelines to help with your decision.
Living/family room
The most popular choice of wall paint finish for living or family rooms that get a lot of use is eggshell and with satin coming in second. Eggshell has less sheen than satin and will give a soft look without a lot of reflection. Both are durable and easy to clean. Another option for rooms that don’t get a lot of traffic is flat paint which has less reflection than eggshell. Flat paint is less durable and more difficult to clean so it’s important to use it in spaces that don’t get a lot of use.
Dining room
Because this room doesn’t get a lot of use, you can use matte, eggshell or satin paint. Choose the sheen you like best but keep in mind that the more matte the sheen, the more difficult it is to clean.
Hallway
These areas have the most traffic in the home and are considered high impact spaces. Satin paint is durable and washable enough for these demanding areas. It has a slight sheen that makes it resistant to scuffs and dirt.
Entryway
This area is similar to hallways except that traffic may be higher and walls are also exposed to moisture from outdoors. To keep this area clean, you’ll need a durable paint finish. Satin paint can be used but if your entryway tends to get really messy, use semi-gloss paint.
Kitchens and bathrooms
There is specially formulated kitchen and bath paint engineered to resist mold and mildew in high humidity areas. It is also more durable, easier to clean and resists stains better than standard paint. The finish of kitchen and bath paint is typically satin or semi-gloss but there are brands that offer a low-sheen option.
Laundry room
This hard working room is exposed to moisture and a lot of use. Choose either a satin or semi-gloss finish. You can also use kitchen and bath paint which has a higher resistance to moisture.
Bedroom
The paint finish you choose for an adult’s bedroom may differ than that of a child’s bedroom. Children’s rooms tend to have a lot of activity so eggshell or satin is recommended since those finishes are easier to clean. Adult rooms are more quiet spaces and won’t need to be cleaned as often and for that reason, any finish from matte to satin can be used.
Basement
The moisture level of your basement will dictate what kind of paint to use. If moisture is not an issue, you can use almost any kind of paint. The majority of basements do have moisture, especially in the months when the furnace isn’t turned on. Kitchen and bath paint is a good option because it has a resistance to mold and mildew.
Garage
This is another hard working area that needs a durable paint finish. Use satin or semi-gloss paint so that walls don’t mark easily and can be cleaned without difficulty.
What is super matte paint?
This type of paint has the lowest sheen and appears soft and velvety with almost no glare. It should be used in areas that have low traffic like living rooms and bedrooms. It’s durability is less than paints with higher sheens and scratches cannot be easily touched up. Fingerprints and smudges are noticeable and not easily cleaned.
