Paint Finish Guide

Paint finishes to use and how to use them.

Selecting a paint color on its own can be difficult, but when you factor in that the paint finish is just as (if not more important) than the color, the possibilities can feel endless. Paint finishes are not difficult to nail down necessarily, but are far from straightforward. Color can give a room a specific vibe or aesthetic, but the finish is what sets the mood. And the goal here is to really nail the combination of the two to make the room feel polished, durable, and purposeful. I think that most people just think of paint finish in terms of purpose, in a “please tell me this will be easy to maintain” kind of way. And yes, that does have a LOT to do with it, but there is also so much more that the finish itself can bring to a space.

So as to not bury the lede, let’s just dive right into it! Here’s a handy paint finish pocket guide that will tell you which finish to use in your space, at a glance.