What's your preferred paint finish? Gloss or matt?

10 years ago

Picking the perfect paint finish might depend on what you're painting (walls, doors, windows, cupboards etc.). Do you have a specific favourite or does it depend on the room/area in your home?

Vote below and let us know!

Emperors Gate, South Kensington, London · More Info

Gloss

Eggshell

Matt

Soft sheen

Something else - tell us below!

Featured Answer

PRO

NJ Celeste

10 years ago

There is no one answer to this question. For walls, excluding kitchens and bathrooms, a nice chalky matt finish gives depth as well as colour to your walls, however, for woodwork I prefer to use a soft sheen finish. Front doors are the only place where a deep gloss can look spectacular, don't forget this is the first think anyone sees as they enter your home.

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Comments (18)

PRO
Amber Jeavons
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Hello Emmeline,

I do like matt chalky finishes.. However it does really depend on the situation and the quality of the paint... I have seen some fantastic high gloss paint used in a bedroom for the walls... I should say Lacquer.. as it was... but... You get the idea and also some colours lend themselves beautifully to being a high sheen like the eggshell blue colour in the pic you posted...

The other members of the cast have to suit too, by that I mean the furnishings... Do they form the corps de ballet in this scenario or are they the soloist! There will always be something that stands out and something forming the backdrop... you just have to work out what it is... and then decide.. So for me it all entirely depends on the space.. but as huffyboy said.. no gloss on woodwork.. : ) )
Andrew Millar
10 years ago
I prefer matte ,don't like the sheen from glossier paints.I don't paint my woodwork in gloss anymore, they always yellow and look terrible.
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PRO
Sheila's Florist Ltd
10 years ago
Gloss, I always prefer
Bec
10 years ago
I like eggshell for woodwork and durable matt for walls
Pat Hannon
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Matt for walls and eggshell for woodwork. Based here in Dublin, I'm wondering what is the best eggshell finish? Over here our two top brands for quality are Colourtrend (make in Kildare, Ireland) and Benjamin Moore (USA).
PRO
Fusion interior design
10 years ago
Matt for walls and satinwood for woodork
Lila 1410
10 years ago
Matt walls and ceilings, gloss for woodwork and radiators. My front door has a permanent stain, I don't think it's paintable.
Tracy Sidaway
10 years ago
I use Matt on the walls.
All my woodwork is gloss, I like satinwood but I like water based so I'm not sure if it's as durable? I also found it harder to clean when my children were little but we still have pets.
k11agl
10 years ago
Generally chalky Matt but when it comes to kitchen, bathroom and wood or egalitarian work I guess we need to pay more for the other appropriate options!
Trudy Davies
10 years ago
A good quality Matt emulsion for walls, worth spending extra for as colour is more intense, goes further and goes on easier I find, then nice satinwood on wood, radiator paint worth the extra too as doesn't yellow for those.. Job done!
ash4711
10 years ago
I too like matt for walls and ceilings and satinwood for paintwork. I've found though that the normal water based satinwood from the DIY shops doesn't give a good finish, so I always get trade grade paint for everything.
PRO
MaisieMoodesign
10 years ago
Matt all the way!
maria_mcbain
10 years ago
Matt every time, looks much better with all the pastel colours I have and with solid oak doors and floors it's a must.
PRO
GoWallpaper.co.uk
10 years ago
Matt all the way.
Laraine Clarke
10 years ago
Definitely prefer Matt for walls, but love oil based gloss for woodwork. I've tried water based soft sheen for woodwork in the past but found it hard to get a good finish and dirt clings to it. I'm getting los of favourable interest in my latest brilliant white doors and skirting. Cleaning brushes is a bit more trouble but well worth it I think.
specialk1606
10 years ago
I prefer satin or soft sheen finish on walls. It's easier to wipe when you have children living with or visiting you. I've never tried anything other thanks gloss for woodwork.
PRO
Committee of Taste
10 years ago
Farrow and Ball eggshell always

What's your preferred paint finish? Gloss or matt?

NJ Celeste

Comments (18)

Amber Jeavons

Andrew Millar

Related Discussions

Sheila's Florist Ltd

Bec

Pat Hannon

Fusion interior design

Lila 1410

Tracy Sidaway

k11agl

Trudy Davies

ash4711

MaisieMoodesign

maria_mcbain

GoWallpaper.co.uk

Laraine Clarke

specialk1606

Committee of Taste

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