Choosing the right paint finish depends on two important factors: use and aesthetics. The former requires more consideration because the type of finish you use for a particular room in your apartment should be able to match its function. When it comes to aesthetics, there are no particular rules on which type of finish would match a particular paint color because as far as visual appeal is concerned, it’s really all about personal preference. Since interior paint is such an important part of apartment renovation, you should take the time to assess what type of paint finish would go well with each area of your home. Below are the most popularly used types of paint finishes and their ideal use:
Flat Finish
Flat finish or matte finish is ideal for living rooms. For those who live in NYC apartment buildings and are located in the lower or middle floors, using a matte paint finish in the living room, especially the ceilings is ideal for maximizing natural light. This is because a flat finish doesn’t create glare when light touches its surface and is able to distribute light much more evenly in all directions. A flat finish is also better suited for textured surfaces because it is more effective in hiding bumps and imperfections. The disadvantage to using a flat finish is that it’s more difficult to clean and maintain, since dirt sticks to it much more easily unlike glossy finishes.
Semi-Gloss Finish
If you’re not too keen on the idea of very shiny walls but you need something more durable and easier to maintain than flat finish paints, then you might want to opt for a semi-gloss finish instead. Most apartment renovation experts would recommend semi-gloss finish paints inside bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms because it is easier to wipe off dirt on a semi-gloss wall than on one with a flat finish. It’s much more stain-resistant than a matte finish but is not so glossy that it would create a very noticeable glare when light touches the surface, although it does reflect light to a certain degree.
Glossy Finish
Glossy paint is better suited for high-traffic areas like bathrooms, children’s bedrooms, and kitchens but if you prefer to use a semi-gloss finish for those areas of your apartment, most apartment renovation experts would recommend using glossy paint for furniture instead, especially those that are heavily used around the house because glossy paint is much more resistant to stains and does not wear out as easily as a matte finish.