Because the world of paint is so vast, picking the perfect shades can be downright overwhelming. Not only is there a myriad of colors, but there are also varying finishes and methods in which to paint them.

Elements like the size of the room, the amount of overall traffic, and the angles and light the room receives all need to be taken into consideration when choosing both colors and finishes. The simplest yet most effective advice I have, and one I will never tire of repeating, is to sample, sample, sample. Each color will look completely different depending on the room it’s in, so it’s important to sample the colors in the actual room. Think of a variable like this: no two rooms will get the same amount of light, so the pigment can look different depending on where it’s placed.

Here’s a breakdown of some common paint finishes and where to best use them.

1. Flat/Matte

These paints have the least amount of gloss or shine to them. Because matte paints have the most pigment, and therefore the most coverage, they conceal the most. Utilize this finish when your goal is to hide imperfections on your wall (think nail holes, cracks, slanted walls).

However, because matte paints are not easy to clean and get damaged by paint cleaner, they aren’t recommended in high-traffic areas. Instead, I visualize them being used as ceiling paint or other low-traffic areas with lots of light. I’d like to think pastels and muted tones for easy sophistication.

2. Eggshell

Eggshell finish has a little bit more luster than matte. It’s more durable and is also able to hide imperfections. It’s ideal for everyday spaces like bedrooms and living rooms, and is especially great because it doesn’t show fingerprints easily.

3. Satin

Perhaps the most common interior paint finish, satin has a nice lustrous sheen and is easy to clean. However, the inverse is that the higher the sheen, the more any imperfections in the wall will be revealed. Satin looks great with woodwork, walls, doors, and hallways.

4. Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paints are great in that they have a high sheen, are moisture resistant, and are durable. Because of that, they’re a great finish for bathrooms and kitchens. They’re also commonly used for trim and moldings to make them pop, which works well for cabinets and millwork, where a little gloss is nice but won’t look so scratched up.

5. High Gloss

High-gloss paints have the most shine, and the key to making them work is the prep work beforehand. Because they show every imperfection on your wall, having a well-prepped space and skilled painters is crucial. If your goal is maximum impact, high gloss also tends to show better with darker paints, since the light bounces off of darker pigment and creates a high shine.

Textures and Effects

There’s a wealth of information to be found when deciding on a tone of the room, and just as many simple and effective tools to elevate any room. Products like special-effect paint rollers can recreate the look of subway tile, wallpaper, or even a wood pattern. This is a relatively inexpensive way of adding real effect.

Other painting techniques include limewash, which uses crushed-up limestone that creates a putty, resulting in a chalky, beautiful patina texture; Venetian plaster finish, a sophisticated and nuanced technique; and shimmery metallic paints can also be an option for some.

Don’t be afraid to sample and experiment before you commit to a color. I’ll say it again (and again, and again), samples are your best friend. Although taking that extra time can be tedious, it is exactly that extra time where you may end up picking a color you wouldn’t expect. Let the light be your guide and have some fun with it!

Shiri Feldman heads Shiri Feldman Interior Design, a full-service design shop located in New York City. Having attended the New York School of Interior Design and graduated from the Jane Packard Floral Design Program, Shiri has experience in high-end floral design, set design, event planning, spatial design, landscape design, multi-family design, and more. Contact her at shirifeldmaninteriors or www.shirifeldmaninteriors.com.

 (Originally featured in Family Room, Issue 016)