SHEEN CHEAT SHEET

A breakdown of the sheen spectrum from flat to high-gloss

From flat and matte to eggshell, pearl or satin, semi and high-gloss, it can be hard to know which sheen will work best for your space. For newbies who are just dipping their toes into the sheen pool, your best bet is to chat with the professionals at Maher’s Paint, who can point you in the right direction, but before you go shopping it never hurts to have a basic idea of what you’re after.

Generally speaking, the sheen spectrum — from low to high sheen — goes flat, matte, eggshell, satin or pearl, semi-gloss and high-gloss. Check out the sheen cheat sheet below to get the details on each of these options and see which one sounds like the perfect fit for your project.

FLAT: Low-sheen with a non-reflective finish. Ideal for very low-traffic areas and ceilings.

MATTE: Low-lustre finish, relatively durable, easy to clean and hides minor surface imperfections well.

EGGSHELL: Has a soft, smooth appearance, very much like its namesake, an eggshell; slightly reflective. It’s a moderately durable sheen and is a safe choice for most types of walls in your home.

HERE’S A COUPLE OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SHEEN SHOPPING:

More sheen means more durability: One rule of thumb is the higher the sheen the better it will be in a high-traffic area that requires a bit more durability. Flat and matte sheens that have little or no shine can be quite easily scratched and marked up, so bedrooms and home offices or similar, lower-traffic spaces would probably be the only places you’d want to use those sheens in. at said, some manufacturers have developed matte finish products with durability equal to that of their eggshells. Moderate sheens like eggshell, satin or pearl, and higher sheens such as semi or high-gloss, however, can stand a lot of abuse, so they are great for busy areas. Moisture-prone areas such as the bathroom or kitchen are great candidates for paints made specifically for those conditions, ask your local expert.

SATIN OR PEARL: Has a lustrous fi nish, and is a good option for high-traffi c areas due to its durability. It can also stand some exposure to moisture.

SEMI-GLOSS: Super sleek, shiny appearance, and best for hightraffi c areas and spots that get touched or bumped a lot, such as doors and trims.

HIGH-GLOSS: Creates a bright, ultra-shiny and reflective finish that almost resembles glass. Suitable for surfaces in a high-use environment.

Sheen affects room mood: It’s important to base your sheen selection on the function of your room and using the sheen that will accommodate that, but you should also consider how it will look in that room and the overall feel you are after. For example, lower sheen paints soak up light, which helps hide imperfections, and high-gloss sheens do the opposite, reflecting light to make darker rooms feel brighter and lighter and emphasizing imperfections.

Our feeds have been filled with people moving to the dark side lately — hopping on the matte black trend. While we love the concept and swoon over a well-styled space with depth, a dark shade void of shine can easily miss the mark if it’s not executed properly. e idea is to balance the depth of the black with other elements, which should be easy since everything pops more against black and the lack of sheen allows other textures to shine. Remember these tips after you’ve completed your coat to make sure your new matte black wall reaches its full potential!

Balance The Bold

Use lighter wooden hues or accents to create contrast and avoid overwhelming the scene with too much color. These lighter tones will help to soften the sharpness of the black and provide character. Use rattan, terracotta, and plenty of crisp whites!

Bring On The Plants

Incorporate as many plants as you can — the black backdrop will help the greenery pop, softening the heaviness of the black and bringing life to the darkness. Choose planters with woven textures to complete the look.

Accessorize With Intention

Because a black backdrop shines a spotlight on anything in front of it, it’s a good idea to pay extra close attention to which décor items you choose to showcase. Pick your best, trendiest items, and avoid doing too much. A few key items will work to personalize the space.

Roll Out A Rug

Black can feel a little cold at times, so if you’re looking for a cozy feel, you’ll need to rely on other features, like a good rug. Choose a lighter color, a woven texture, or a bold pattern.

Break Up The Black

A bare black wall will look a little strange. It’s a good idea to incorporate some artwork (go for white or neutral frames with large art mats). Avoid darker colors — any pieces you choose should either be understated and neutral in tone or bold and colorful.

STOP BY MAHER’S PAINT TO GET STARTED ON YOUR NEW MATTE BLACK STATEMENT WALL!