Choose the paint finish by how much the surface is touched, cleaned and lit: matt for ceilings and low-traffic walls, low sheen or satin for walls you need to wipe, and a gloss or sheen enamel for trim, doors and cabinetry. The finish matters as much as the colour — it changes how washable the surface is and how much it shows flaws. This guide runs through the finishes and which room each one suits.
What do the paint finishes mean?
Paint finish (or sheen) is how much light the dry paint reflects, from flat matt through low sheen and satin to semi-gloss and gloss. The higher the sheen, the more washable and reflective the surface, but the more it shows every bump and repair. The lower the sheen, the softer the look and the better it hides flaws, at the cost of scrubbability. Choosing well is a balance between how the surface looks and how hard it has to work.
Matt / flat
Matt is the lowest sheen: a soft, flat finish that hides wall and ceiling imperfections and suits low-traffic rooms. It gives a calm, modern look and is the standard for ceilings and for bedroom and lounge walls that do not get scrubbed. The trade-off is that dead matt is the least washable finish. Classic Acrylic PVA in matt suits general walls, and Classic Ceiling White is a purpose-made matt for ceilings.
Low sheen / eggshell
Low sheen (eggshell) carries a subtle glow and is more washable than matt, which makes it a versatile choice for walls in busier rooms. It suits passages, dining rooms, children's rooms and family spaces where walls get touched and occasionally wiped. UltraLux comes in a low sheen that gives a washable, hard-wearing wall finish while still looking soft. It is the sensible middle ground for most homes.
Satin
Satin has a soft, velvety lustre that wipes clean easily, so it works well on walls in kitchens, bathrooms and high-moisture areas. Its slight sheen sheds splashes and takes regular cleaning better than matt or eggshell. On bathroom and kitchen walls, a low-sheen premium acrylic or a water-based High Sheen Enamel gives that washable, moisture-resistant satin-style finish. See the bathroom & kitchen paint guide.
Semi-gloss and gloss
Semi-gloss and gloss are the highest sheens and the hardest-wearing, which is why they belong on trim, doors, cabinetry and metalwork rather than walls. They wipe clean, resist knocks and set off panelled detail, but they show every surface flaw, so the prep has to be smooth. High Gloss Enamel gives the hardest gloss on doors and frames, and Eggshell Enamel offers the enamel toughness with a softer look. The full range is in the enamel paint guide.
Which finish hides wall imperfections best?
A flat matt hides imperfections best, because its low sheen scatters light instead of reflecting it, so dents, filler marks and uneven plaster do not catch the eye. The higher the sheen, the more a surface acts like a mirror and shows every ripple and repair, which is why gloss needs the smoothest preparation. On an older or less-than-perfect wall, a matt or low-sheen finish is the forgiving choice — a matt Classic Acrylic PVA or a low-sheen UltraLux disguises minor flaws while still giving a clean, modern look. If the wall must take a higher sheen for washability, spend the extra time filling and sanding first, because the shine will reveal anything left behind.
Which finish for a kitchen or bathroom?
Kitchens and bathrooms need a washable, moisture-resistant finish: a low sheen or satin on the walls and a higher sheen on trim and splashbacks. Steam, splashes and frequent wiping quickly wear a matt finish, so a low-sheen UltraLux on the walls and High Sheen Enamel on cabinetry, trim and splash zones is the durable combination. Keep dead matt out of wet rooms.
Which finish for living rooms and bedrooms?
Living rooms and bedrooms suit a matt or low-sheen finish for a soft, calm look that hides wall imperfections. These are low-traffic rooms, so scrubbability matters less and appearance matters more. A matt Classic Acrylic PVA works well on a budget, while a low-sheen UltraLux adds washability and longer colour life for busy family spaces without looking shiny.
Which finish for trim, doors and ceilings?
Use gloss or semi-gloss enamel on trim and doors, and a dedicated matt on ceilings. Skirtings, architraves, doors and window frames take the most handling, so a hard High Gloss Enamel keeps them crisp and wipeable. Ceilings are the opposite — a flat matt like Classic Ceiling White hides imperfections and cuts glare overhead. Matching the right sheen to each surface is what makes a room look professionally finished.
How do you match finish to durability?
The busier and wetter the surface, the higher the sheen it should take. Ceilings and quiet walls take matt; general and busier walls take low sheen; kitchen, bathroom and passage walls take satin or low-sheen premium acrylic; and trim, doors and cabinetry take gloss enamel. Work through a home surface by surface and the finish choice falls into place. For the products behind each choice, see the wall paint guide.
Where to buy
Shop the full range — Classic Acrylic PVA, UltraLux, Classic Ceiling White and the enamel range — with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For colour and finish advice, call +27 84 985 6141.
