Eggshell vs. Matte: Which Paint Sheen is Right for Your Room?

When you decide that it’s time to refresh a room, picking the perfect colour is usually number one. But there is a second choice that is important to consider in getting your final look and that will affect the longevity of your walls: the paint sheen.

Sheen refers to how much light the paint reflects once it is completely dry. The two most popular choices for homes are Eggshell and Matte. These sheens look very similar on the paint chip, but they behave very differently on your walls.

The Breakdown

Matte finish has a low level of sheen, giving off a smooth, velvety, and contemporary look. It absorbs light rather than reflecting it, creating an elegant, uniform look.

• Best for: Living rooms, adult bedrooms, dining rooms, ceilings, and older walls.

• Pros: Absorbs light to hide surface imperfections and scratches, while delivering a rich depth of colour.

• Cons: Can be not as easy to wash and is more prone to scuffs if scrubbed too roughly.

Eggshell finish is true to its name, with a soft, subtle low-lustre glow that mimics the surface of a chicken’s egg. This finish reflects a little bit of light, adding a hint of warmth and depth to a room.

• Best for: Hallways, family rooms, foyers, kids’ bedrooms, and kitchens.

• Pros: Very durable, easy to clean, handles day-today wear and messes, and provides a soft glow.

• Cons: The slight shine can highlight imperfections, dents, or uneven textures in the drywall.

  
  

How Lighting and Sheen Affect Colour

Matte absorbs light, which keeps your paint colour looking consistent from different angles and in different lighting. It softens rooms flooded with bright, direct natural light by preventing harsh glares.

In contrast, Eggshell bounces light around. In a room with lots of windows, natural light can make an eggshell wall look significantly shiner. However, this works well in darker rooms or spaces that rely on artificial lighting because the soft glow is an excellent asset to help the room to feel brighter, warmer, and bigger.

Touch-Ups

Things get messy, walls get nicked, that’s life! When it comes to being able to fix small marks later, Matte is the better option. Because of the fact it doesn’t reflect light, a small paint touch-up blends seamlessly into the rest of the wall without looking noticeably patchy.

Eggshell touch-ups can be trickier. If you paint over a small spot on an eggshell wall, the paint can alter the sheen. When the light hits the wall from a side angle, you may see either a shiny or dull halo around the patched spot. For eggshell walls, you often will have to repaint the whole wall to keep the finish perfectly uniform.

Get in Touch!

If you are still unsure which finish suits your home’s lighting and lifestyle, reach out to us! At Second Coat Painting, we do more than just the painting, we evaluate your walls, your light, and your daily needs to make sure that you have the best primer and sheen combination for the best looking paint job!