Consumer reports room by room guide to using the right paint finish for every surface.
Type of paint to use on living room walls.
My personal preference may fall to flat paint because i like the look but most people are quite happy with eggshell paint which has a soft glow to it where the light hits.
Here s what you need to know about four main paint finishes flat eggshell semigloss and gloss and the best bets for where to use them in your home along with a few more stand out paint ideas.
Eggshell can be easily cleaned so any spills and drips can be wiped with a wet rag.
Flat or matte finish is frequently used in new construction and on ceilings because it hides flaws extremely well.
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That decision is totally up to you.
For living rooms that also serve as high traffic family rooms the best paint finish to use is often eggshell or satin.
Natural light and how much use a room gets are just two things you should consider.
Flat eggshell and satin paint are best for interior walls whereas semi gloss and gloss paint are best for trim and woodwork.
There are no set rules for how certain paint colors look in each finish.
The formal living room does not need frequent clean up as it is a low traffic area which is great for this type of paint finish.
Flat avoids the space limiting illusion that glossy paints create.