How to Choose the Best Paint Finish

How to Choose the Best Paint Finish for Every Area of Your Home, From Kitchen Cabinets to Bathroom Walls

Wondering where to use flat, satin, semi-gloss, and other paint finishes? We asked the experts to explain.

Choosing the perfect paint color for your home is a big decision, but perhaps even more important is choosing the right type of paint finish. Also known as sheen, paint finish refers to the amount of light the paint reflects from its surface, which dictates how shiny it is. Flat paint has no shine, while high gloss is very shiny. Beyond aesthetics, knowing the difference between finishes is important as some are easier to clean and stand up to damage better than others. To make the choice easier, we're sharing the best types of paint for each area of your home.

Martha Stewart has put together an incredible list of best finishes for each room. www.marthastewart.com