With paint, the sheen level that you choose not only has benefits to the durability of where it is used but it easily enhances your colour choice for the room based on how it helps to reflect light.
There’s a basic rule of thumb to follow when choosing paint sheens: The higher the sheen, the higher the shine -- and the higher the shine, the more durable the finish will be.
Image: Benjamin Moore
Sheen: Matte (Aura)
Flat or low sheen paints are the most forgiving as they don’t reflect light and therefore can aid in hiding many imperfections on your walls. Flat paint finishes have a velvety matte look, however are most times the least durable choice as they don’t heed well to scrubbing. Flat finishes are easier to touch up than the other sheen levels, however not always with perfection. The key is to apply only to a small area and try as best you can to “feather in” the new paint to the old finish.
Benjamin Moores Regal Ulti-matte and Aura Matte are the best in the market. They have superior qualities such as extreme hiding capabilities, unprecedented durability, spatter-free application and excellent flow and levelling qualities. The Aura line is also fast drying and mildew resistant.
Image: Benjamin Moore
Eggshell finishes are the most flexible of the sheen levels and can be used in most areas of the home. Regarded as an eggshell finish as it does actually look like the surface of an egg shell. An eggshell finish has a slight lustre sheen to it, however, it will not leave your walls looking shiny. This finish is often used in bathrooms, kitchens, kids rooms and other high traffic areas of your home. Unlike the flat sheen levels an eggshell will leave you with a rich beautiful finish with outstanding durability. This finish will stand up to repeated washings with no colour rub-off.
Image: Benjamin Moore
Semi- gloss finishes are the best for your architectural details such as trim, doors, and molding. This sheen level is best on areas that will require the most durability for scrubbing as they are cleaned frequently and this sheen will resist moisture. You need to remember however, flaws in the walls may be more noticeable with semi-gloss coatings than with eggshell or flat paints, and therefore will they require more preparation to ensure a smooth finish.