The Best Paint Finish for Every Room: Matt, Eggshell, Satin or Gloss?

The finish — or sheen level — of your paint is just as important as the colour. The right finish enhances a room; the wrong one can make a beautifully chosen colour look cheap or inappropriate. Here's our guide to choosing finishes for each room in a Chelsea period home.

Understanding Sheen Levels

**Dead Flat / Chalky:** No sheen whatsoever. Beautiful depth of colour but marks easily and is difficult to clean. Best for low-traffic areas and ceilings.

**Matt / Flat:** Very slight sheen, barely perceptible. Good colour depth with slightly better cleanability than dead flat.

**Eggshell:** A subtle, soft sheen. The modern standard for walls in premium homes. Cleanable, durable, and elegant.

**Satin / Satinwood:** A noticeable smooth sheen. The standard for woodwork in contemporary decorating. Durable and easy to clean.

**Semi-Gloss / Gloss:** High sheen, highly reflective. Traditional for woodwork but increasingly rare in modern Chelsea interiors. Very durable.

Room-by-Room Recommendations

Living Rooms & Drawing Rooms - **Walls:** Eggshell or estate emulsion (chalky) for period character - **Woodwork:** Satinwood for a refined, contemporary feel - **Ceiling:** Dead flat or matt in white

Kitchens - **Walls:** Modern emulsion (wipeable) or eggshell — must be washable - **Cabinets:** Satinwood or specialist kitchen paint (hardwearing) - **Ceiling:** Matt, preferably moisture-resistant

Bathrooms - **Walls:** Eggshell or specific bathroom paint — moisture resistance essential - **Woodwork:** Satinwood or eggshell - **Ceiling:** Specialist bathroom ceiling paint (anti-mould)

Bedrooms - **Walls:** Estate emulsion (chalky, beautiful) or eggshell (more practical) - **Woodwork:** Satinwood - **Ceiling:** Dead flat

Hallways & Stairs - **Walls:** Eggshell (must be durable — hallways take heavy wear) - **Woodwork:** Satinwood (heavy use areas benefit from the durability) - **Banister:** Satinwood or eggshell

Period Properties: A Note on Authenticity In heritage-conscious Chelsea properties, some homeowners prefer historically accurate finishes. Victorian woodwork was typically finished in oil-based gloss. Georgian panelling used flat oil paint. We can advise on period-appropriate finishes if authenticity is important to you.