Ever found yourself staring at the endless options in the paint aisle and if there are any differences between them? There are semi-gloss, flat, satin, matte, and many more.
Here’s a short answer for you: Yes, there are! But it’s not as easy as just slapping it on the wall and hoping it’ll stick. There are certain rules you need to follow.
Today, we’ll cover everything you need to know to paint like a pro, whether you do it yourself or hire the right people for the job.
Difference Between Satin vs Semi-Gloss vs Flat Paint Finishes
The main difference between satin vs semi-gloss vs flat paint finishes is how they appear on the walls. But that’s from the homeowner’s side. A painter looks at how well a paint finish reflects light.
Flat paint finishes reflect less light, so they hide wall flaws and work well on ceilings in a soft white like Benjamin Moore’s Simply White OC-117. On the other hand, satin finishes have a soft sheen that looks good on most walls. For this, we opt for classic warm paints such as Revere Pewter HC-172.
In our experience, many people pick their colors first and then move on to the sheen. That’s not actually the right way. Here is how each finish differs and how to choose the best one.
Satin vs Semi-Gloss vs Flat Paint Finishes at a Glance
Satin, semi-gloss, and flat paint finishes come with their own pros and cons. If you add shine, you can wipe the walls clean in one pass, but you won’t be able to hide dents and patches. You can’t have both in the same type of finish.
Here is a quick satin vs semi-gloss vs flat paint finishes comparison:
|
Finish
|
Shine
|
Hides Flaws
|
Cleaning
|
Best Spots
|
| Flat finish | Almost none | Best. Dents, patches, and roller marks fade out | Hardest. Scrubbing can burnish the spot into a shiny patch | Ceilings, low-touch walls, calm bedrooms |
| Satin finish | Soft, velvety glow | Fair. Hides small marks, but not major dents | Easy. A damp cloth lifts fingerprints and smudges | Living rooms, hallways, kids’ rooms, kitchen walls |
| Semi-gloss finish | Highest of the three | Worst. It spotlights every bump | Easiest. Wipes clean fastest | Trim, doors, baseboards, bathrooms |
Many people expect shine to indicate how well the paint lasts. In many cases, a good satin paint can last longer than a cheap semi-gloss paint.
Before buying, always check if your chosen finish can handle regular cleaning without wearing off. There is no point in buying a paint that you’d have to apply every month.
Flat vs Matte: Are Matte and Flat the Same?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no, because flat matte paint is a performer. That is why brands have their own sheen scales. For instance, Benjamin Moore lists seven interior finishes. Its matte is nearly as shine-free as flat, with slightly more durability, and its ultra flat and Ulti-Matte options are very close to flat.
Sherwin-Williams stretches the scale to ten sheens, with flat and matte as neighbors and velvet right after them. So the same word means a slightly different sheen at each brand. You should check the sheen chart on the can before you buy.
Flat or matte paint works well on ceilings and walls that family members don’t touch daily. You can make these areas shiny by scrubbing off the fingerprints or scuff marks. This process is known as burnishing.
However, if your hallway gets a lot of traffic or your kids leave handprints on the walls, go for a washable finish instead.
Is Satin a Matte Finish?
Satin isn’t a matte finish. It carries a velvety glow, which matte finishes don’t have, so it’s not the same finish. A satin wall paint finish gives you:
- A soft sheen that doesn’t highlight every little mark
- Smudges and fingerprints are easy to clean with a damp cloth
- Enough toughness for hallways, kids’ rooms, and living rooms
Matte vs Gloss Paint in a New York Apartment
Glossy vs matte paint starts with your walls. Many New York walls are uneven.
Prewar Plaster and Rental Patches
In many New York rentals, walls aren’t always smooth. If you happen to end up in one, you may see bumps on the walls in low-angle light. Glossing such walls can exaggerate the bumps even more. On wall sections like that, we usually start with flat or satin choices.
Our estimates don’t include wall leveling or plastering. If you’re comparing matte gloss paint lines, tape chips side by side.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
We usually use satin in kitchens because you can easily wipe off grease and splatters. Even better, the satin finish doesn’t glare under bright lights. A bathroom with no window has steam longer, so semi-gloss tends to work better there. For cabinets, we mostly use satin or semi-gloss. Check out what sheen you can use on your cabinets.
Ceilings, Trim, and Doors
Semi-gloss suits front doors and hallway trim. These areas are most visible, so you’re likely to wipe them down more often. Deep navy colors such as Hale Navy HC-154 from Benjamin Moore look sharp on a front door in that finish.
Room-By-Room Cheat Sheet for Satin vs Semi-Gloss vs Flat Paint Finishes
Here’s a cheat sheet to help you make a quick decision:
- Living room and bedroom: Go for satin if you have a busy household. You can choose a flat finish for your bedroom if not many family members use it.
- Hallway and kids’ room: Satin looks the best. It wipes the scuffs off, and the wall doesn’t look greasy
- Kitchen walls: Opt for satin. Semi-gloss can be a great option if the stove runs every night
- Bathroom: Semi-gloss, especially if there’s no window
- Trim, doors, baseboards: Semi-gloss
- Ceilings: Flat
5 Paint Sheen Mistakes to Avoid
- Trusting the chip. Light changes color, so brush a sample on your wall and check it morning and night.
- Semi-gloss on bumpy walls. It’s great on smooth ones. That said, it shows every dent.
- Using flat paint in the kitchen. Grease marks can be hard to remove, and scrubbing them may leave shiny spots behind.
- Skipping wall prep. Glossy paint shows bumps and uneven patches, so take time to smooth the walls first. If you’re wondering about the cost, here’s how much NYC painters charge.
- Assuming all satin paints look the same. They don’t. Shine can vary from one brand to another, so check the finish before buying.
Ready to Pick? Choose a Finish at Paintman NYC
At Paintman NYC, we look at the surface, the lighting, and the mood you want before we recommend a finish. We’ve painted apartments across the city since 2017.
Whatever you choose, we’re open to your preferences. Request a free estimate on our interior painting services page, and a representative will get in touch. We’ll help you choose a finish and a color that fit your home.
Mychal Diachenko
Mychal Diachenko, Author at Paintman NYC blog. Started Paintman NYC company and has been painting for more than 10 years throughout Europe and New York City. Since 2017, he has created a family-run painting company that people trust and that is recognized for doing a great job painting apartments all around New York.