The most popular paint sheens that you can buy are: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss. The sheen of a paint refers to how shiny or bright the paint looks after it has dried. The sheen influences how good the finish will hold up to crayon, finger marks, and how well it hides imperfections.

The paint sheen you choose should be based on the desired durability, look, and ambiance you want.

1. Flat – a finish that creates an opaque look, that is beautiful on ceilings and interior walls. Of all the sheens, it is the most dense, and absorbs the most light. It isn’t suited for baths, kitchens, or children’s bedrooms because it doesn’t clean well. If the children in the house put finger marks or scribbles on this type of finish, the only way to fix it, will be to paint over them.
   
2. Eggshell – this type of finish gives a low luster feel and is primarily used for many decorative finishings on interior walls. It generally holds up better to scribble marks than a flat paint, and can be used around children.
   
3. Satin – has more sheen than an eggshell finish, and cleans better than the flat and eggshell finishes. It can be used for woodwork, walls, doors, and hallways. You can’t scrub this finish as much as the glossier paints, but you can use it in bathrooms or kitchens.
   
4. Semi-gloss – this paint sheen gives a shiny look to a room, but is not the shiniest finish. It can be scrubbed vigorously and still maintains its original look.
   
5. High-gloss – this is the shiniest finish you can buy, and reflects a lot of light. It is stain resistant and can be scrubbed. It is ideally suited for kitchens and baths, or any area in your home that gets the most wear and tear.

Gordon has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in interior design, and home renovations, you can also check out his latest website on kitchen dish towels which reviews and lists his latest favorite kitchen hand towels that looks great in any modern kitchen.