The go-to guide to picking your paint

Unsure which paint is best for your project? Choosing the right finish is just as important as choosing the right colour. The paint finish you choose will influence the character of your room, the quality of the job and the overall atmosphere you are trying to achieve.  

In addition to durability, the sheen level can have an impact on the way colour appears. Higher gloss paints are shiny and therefor very reflective, which can make the colour appear darker than low sheen or matt finishes. We always recommend testing your selected colour and sheen level on your surfaces before making your final decision. 

With this in mind, we compiled a simple list of the standard paint finishes and where to apply them to ensure you get the results you want from your paint job.  

The most important thing to consider when choosing paint is the amount of traffic in that specific area. Kitchens, which are higher traffic areas will benefit from a more durable low sheen finish, while front doors and skirtings would require a semi gloss or gloss finish for ease of clean and reduced marking. 

We have simplified it all for you in this handy guide...

Walls

For internal walls we recommend a low sheen finish. It is durable and hard wearing, hides imperfections and will resist knocks and scratches while giving the walls a smooth velvety appearance. 

Ceilings

For ceilings we recommend using a flat finish, it will minimise any surface imperfections and the result will be uniform, smooth and streak free. 

Doors, skirtings and architraves

For doors, skirtings, architraves and other woodwork we recommend a semi-gloss finish because it is easy to clean. These areas are higher traffic areas and therefore see more wear and tear. Both gloss and semi-gloss will work well on woodwork, with semi-gloss giving a less shiny finish than gloss. 

I put together a simple and easy-to-use chart for your reference: DOWNLOAD CHART

I hope I have been able to simplify your DIY paint project and give you the confidence to choose the right finish for the surfaces in your home! 

Best of luck! Michal x