Differences Between Matte vs Satin vs Gloss Paint Finishes

It is an age-old battle: satin vs. matte vs. gloss paint finishes. People have debated forever about which one is right for their living space, but the reality is that different finishes make sense depending on what the end goal happens to be. Today, we will take a look at how each paint finish compares and when each might be the right option for your next interior painting project. 

Matte Paint Finishes

Paint doesn’t need to have a glossy finish to make a room look great. Many homeowners prefer matte paint for its soft, elegant appearance and ability to create a uniform look. This finish is especially useful on uneven surfaces, where it helps minimize imperfections and maintain a consistent aesthetic throughout the space. Plus, its subtle texture can add a sense of warmth and sophistication that glossy finishes often lack. 

Best Rooms for Matte Paint Finish

As you continue to consider satin vs. matte vs. gloss paint finishes, you will want to think about which rooms each type of paint finish makes the most sense for. When it comes to a matte paint finish, there are several rooms where it is an ideal choice, including: 

• Bedrooms - Matte paint finishes offer a calming and relaxed atmosphere, and that is precisely what most people want when it comes to their bedrooms. They need a space that they can retreat to at the end of the day and feel comfortable and cozy, and a matte paint finish helps set the table for that experience. 
• Dining Room - Do you want to create an upscale and welcoming atmosphere to your dining room so that you can welcome and entertain guests whenever you choose to do so? If that sounds ideal to you, then a matte paint finish for your dining room is the way to go.     

Experiment with a matte paint finish throughout different rooms of your home and see where it feels the most appropriate to you. 

Best Colors/Tones for Matte Paint

Certain colors work best with each type of paint finish, and therein lies a difference between gloss and matte paint finishes. When it comes to a matte paint finish, you should aim for darker colors such as navy blue, plum, sage green, forest green, and even clay. These colors tend to work best with a light-absorbing matte paint finish. 

Satin Paint Finishes 

Sometimes referred to as "eggshell", a satin paint finish offers a low-to-medium sheen and reflects enough light to give a clean look to the paint job performed, but it is not so over the top that it appears overly shiny. It is one of the most popular types of paint finishes because it is versatile and can be used for many different purposes. 

This is a great selling point for many people who are interested in getting as much value out of the paint jobs that they do around their home. They can add to the longevity of that work if it happens to be easy to clean. 

Best Rooms for Satin Paint

As we previously mentioned, satin paint is one of the more versatile options that you can select, and this means that it works in almost any room. However, there are certain standout rooms where it is particularly useful. Those are: 

• Kitchens - Think about all of the messes that occur in a kitchen space. From grease spills to moisture buildup, you will inevitably end up with a lot of potential messes to deal with. Therefore, you should consider using a satin paint finish in this room to make the clean up a bit easier for yourself.
  
  
• Bathrooms - A satin paint finish is also a good idea for most bathroom areas. This is another room that you will want to spend extra time cleaning, and that means you want to use a paint finish that is easier to clean than most. As such, a satin paint finish is the way to go. 

Best Colors/Tones for Satin Paint

One difference between satin and matte is the fact the colors that work best with a satin paint finish are mid-tone neutrals. This is because satin paint adds some depth to those colors and helps them to stand out. Examples of great colors that work with a satin paint finish include creamy whites and soft grays. These are the types of neutral colors that can have a little life brought into them by using a satin paint finish. 

Gloss Paint Finishes

Do you want a highly shiny paint that looks great and still offers you the ability to clean it without too much struggle? If that sounds ideal to you, then you should consider the benefits offered by a gloss paint finish. This is what you need when you want to go for the sparkle and dazzle that this type of finish can offer. 

Best Rooms for Gloss Paint Finishes

There are several rooms in your home that are prime candidates for a gloss paint finish. Namely, you might choose to use them in: 

• Laundry Rooms/Mudrooms - Keeps this room bright and cheerful whereas it might not have been otherwise.
  
  
• Kid's Rooms - Oftentimes, children like a gloss paint finish because it adds a little pop to the color of their room. 

These options, along with others, are something worth considering if you are thinking about adding some gloss paint finishes around your home. 

Best Colors/Tones for Gloss Paint Finishes

The colors or tones that you should consider the most with gloss paint finishes are those that have the potential to be highly reflective and offer maximum impact. Some colors that fit this description include: 

• Navy Blue
• Black
• Emerald Green

Play around with these colors and see how you like their highly reflective nature. Check out how they can work in all different rooms of your home. Most importantly, don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.