Right paint finish makes the room shine

Color is important, and it's what most of us focus on when choosing a paint. In fact, color is often a fundamental consideration for almost any design project, whether it's furniture, walls, ceilings or trim. But it's the finish that can dramatically change the look of a piece of furniture - or even a whole room.

It's vital to evaluate the space you want to paint and determine beforehand which of the four basic paint finishes will work best for your project. In learning the benefits of each type of paint finish, you'll always be able to determine the right sheen for a particular project.

Paint sheen refers to the level of glossiness in paint or the amount of light it will reflect, as well as its durability. Even a seemingly small difference of paint sheen can and will make a big impact on a room and determine whether you'll love or hate the final results.

Most paint comes in one of the following sheens: flat, satin or eggshell, semigloss and gloss.

Flat paint or matte is what's used on most walls and ceilings. It's the lowest sheen available and, when dry, it appears as totally nonreflective with a smooth, matte finish that enables it to conceal imperfections on walls. This ability makes it a great choice for painting on surfaces that haven't been sanded too well. Naturally, this can help to make a surface look smoother and more uniform. Even nicks and scratches will blend well with flat paint because it reflects less light and can be easily touched up.

Still, it's not a good idea to use it in areas that get a lot of wear. That's where other finish types (like satin and semigloss) come in to save the day and even help to make a space livelier and more interesting by providing some visual contrast.

Satin or eggshell also is known as low-luster. It is more lustrous than flat and with a nice, slight sheen. It's the slight sheen that allows eggshell paint to bring a warm look and feel as well as depth to a room. It's also easier to clean (than flat) and can be used on any wall. Try not to use it on walls with imperfections since it reflects light and will make those imperfections even more obvious. It is still a great synthesis of appearance and durability.

Semigloss is often popular in homes with small children because of all paints it's the easiest to clean and is so durable. But these paints do show nearly every little surface flaw (as well as brush roller marks), so they're not an ideal choice for imperfect walls. In fact, walls can appear shoddy and second-rate with this type of finish. They're really meant for painting doors, windows and trim as they provide a subtle shine without being too glitzy. The light-gloss effect, however, helps to provide some definition and visual interest in the details of the room.

Gloss or high gloss is the toughest and most durable of all finishes and the shiniest. It's often used on doors and other areas susceptible to getting dirty, such as trim, baseboard, door frames, handrails, cabinets and floors. A gloss finish will really exaggerate imperfections, so prep work is very important. Still, it's nonporous so that dust and dirt won't stick to it, making cleaning much easier. It's never to be used for painting walls or ceilings - not if you want a tasteful and beautiful home.

Incidentally, the gloss level of a paint can affect how color is perceived. A color in a glossy paint will appear to be brighter and richer than the same color with less gloss. On the other hand, paint with little or no gloss will reveal its true color and won't be altered by variations of reflection or glare.

No discussion of paint finishes would be complete without a word about the importance of primers. A proper first coat will assuredly go far in influencing the successful outcome of your paint job. It's an extremely important step as primers anchor finish coats, level uneven areas, seal porous surfaces and make the finish coat smooth and uniform. Often there's one type of primer for flat and eggshell and another for glossier finishes. Be sure to heed this advice and your walls will thank you - not to mention the compliments you'll receive.

Finally, some designer hints: Premium paints will provide a richer and more durable topcoat as they contain less oil or water and more pigment and binders. The less expensive the paint, the more water it contains. So, don't feel guilty or foolish about spending a little more for a quality paint.

When all else fails, and you're still unsure about what paint finish to use, choose flat or eggshell for your walls and semigloss for your trim. A general rule is that the shinier the finish, the better it will stand up to washing and cleaning while touch-up work will remain problematic. And if it's a rustic or worn look that you're after for a room (or a piece of furniture) then look to a flat-finish paint. A shiny surface will tend to appear more austere, less welcoming and more contemporary.

There's little doubt that choosing the right paint finish might seem confusing at first. But, take heart, because with research and the right choices, great results can be yours - even on a tight budget. In our "new economy" painting probably remains the most approachable option for redecoration because the cost of a few cans of paint (assuming they're the right finish) can absolutely transform an entire room for a nominal cost - and by almost anyone.

Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He is president-elect of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified professional in green residential design. Questions can be sent to soleildesign@cox.net.