Why finish matters more than colour
Most people obsess over colour names and completely ignore finish. That’s backwards. Finish dictates how light behaves, how imperfections show, how durable the surface is, and how often you’ll curse it when cleaning. Two rooms painted the same colour but in different finishes can feel entirely different.
If a room looks “off”, nine times out of ten it’s not the colour — it’s the finish.
Search for your favourite Farrow & Ball shade
Type a shade name and jump straight to the best-value dupes.
The finish breakdown (what it does, where it works, where it fails)
| Finish | Sheen | Light behaviour | Washability | Best for | Avoid for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat / Matt | 0–5% | Absorbs light | Poor → Moderate | Ceilings, bedrooms, imperfect walls | Kitchens, hallways, bathrooms |
| Chalky Matt | 0–2% | Drinks light | Very low | Feature walls, adult bedrooms | High-traffic spaces |
| Eggshell | 10–20% | Soft reflection | Good | Living rooms, bedrooms, woodwork | Bad plaster |
| Satin | 25–35% | Clear reflection | Very good | Doors, trim, kitchens | Large wall areas |
| Silk | 30–40% | Strong reflection | Excellent | Bathrooms, rentals | Uneven walls |
| Semi-Gloss | 40–60% | Strong shine | Excellent | Trim, banisters, kitchens | Large surfaces |
| Gloss | 70–90% | Mirror-like | Maximum | Front doors, statement trim | Poor prep |
Flat / Matt
- Sheen level: 0–5%
- Light behaviour: Absorbs light
- Texture tolerance: Excellent
- Washability: Poor → Moderate (varies by brand)
Matt paint is brutally honest and deeply forgiving at the same time. It hides uneven plaster, hairline cracks, dodgy patching and old walls better than anything else. That’s why heritage homes and high-end interiors lean on it so heavily.
Where matt excels
- Ceilings (always)
- Low-traffic living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Period properties
- Walls with visible imperfections
- North-facing rooms where glare would flatten colour
Where matt fails
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Hallways
- Anywhere with greasy hands, kids, dogs, or constant contact
The common myth
“Matt paint is uncleanable.” That used to be true. Modern “durable matt” formulas are far better, but even washable matt burnishes. Scrub one spot and you’ll see it from across the room under side light.
Use matt when
- You want depth, softness, and calm
- You’re prioritising atmosphere over durability
- Walls are less than perfect
Avoid matt when
- You’ll be wiping it weekly
- Sunlight rakes across the wall all afternoon
- You expect it to behave like vinyl (it won’t)
Chalky Matt (Ultra-Matt / Estate Matt style)
- Sheen level: 0–2%
- Light behaviour: Drinks light
- Texture tolerance: Maximum
- Washability: Very low
This is matt’s moody, high-maintenance cousin. It looks incredible — flat, velvety, powdery — and completely unforgiving in real life.
What it does brilliantly
- Makes colour feel deeper and richer
- Removes glare entirely
- Creates that “gallery wall” softness designers love
What it does terribly
- Shows fingerprints instantly
- Marks if you look at it funny
- Cannot be spot-cleaned without damage
Best uses
- Feature walls
- Snugs
- Adult bedrooms
- Spaces where nobody touches the walls
- Design-led interiors where beauty > practicality
Hard truth
If you’ve got kids, dogs, or even a habit of leaning — this will annoy you.
Eggshell
- Sheen level: 10–20%
- Light behaviour: Soft reflection
- Texture tolerance: Good
- Washability: Good
Eggshell is the quiet overachiever. It sits perfectly between matt and satin, offering subtle reflectivity without shouting about it.
Why eggshell works
- More durable than matt
- Doesn’t scream “shiny”
- Light bounces gently, keeping colour alive
- Easier to wipe clean without obvious burnishing
Ideal for
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Home offices
- Woodwork if you want a softer look than satin
Eggshell on walls vs woodwork
- Walls: Excellent alternative to matt in busier homes
- Woodwork: Elegant, understated, less plasticky than satin
Mistake to avoid
Using eggshell on bad plaster. It won’t hide issues the way matt does. Prep still matters.
Satin
- Sheen level: 25–35%
- Light behaviour: Clear reflection
- Texture tolerance: Moderate
- Washability: Very good
Satin is practical, resilient, and slightly unforgiving. It reflects light clearly enough to show defects — but rewards good prep with a crisp, modern finish.
Where satin shines
- Skirting boards
- Doors
- Architraves
- Kitchens
- Utility rooms
- Hallways
Why people hate satin
- It highlights brush marks if applied badly
- It can look “plastic” on large wall areas
- Poor prep is brutally exposed
Why professionals like satin
- Easy to clean
- Stands up to abuse
- Gives architectural definition to woodwork
Rule of thumb
- Woodwork: Satin = sensible default
- Walls: Only in high-traffic areas and only with good plaster
Silk (Wall Satin / Soft Sheen)
- Sheen level: 30–40%
- Light behaviour: Strong reflection
- Texture tolerance: Poor
- Washability: Excellent
Silk is divisive. It’s practical, wipeable, and hard-wearing — but visually unforgiving.
Where silk works
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Kids’ rooms
- Rental properties
- Commercial or utility spaces
Where silk fails
- Living rooms
- Feature walls
- Older homes
- Anywhere with uneven walls
The big problem
Silk reflects everything. Lumps, bumps, roller marks, plaster joins — all highlighted under daylight.
Use silk if
- Durability is non-negotiable
- You accept visual compromise
- The walls are genuinely flat
Semi-Gloss
- Sheen level: 40–60%
- Light behaviour: Strong shine
- Texture tolerance: Low
- Washability: Excellent
Semi-gloss is sharp, reflective, and unapologetically functional.
Best for
- Doors
- Trim
- Banisters
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
Why it’s fallen out of favour
- Too shiny for modern tastes
- Shows every defect
- Feels dated in large quantities
Still useful when
- You want contrast against matt walls
- Durability matters more than subtlety
- You’re painting architectural details
Gloss (High Gloss)
- Sheen level: 70–90%
- Light behaviour: Mirror-like
- Texture tolerance: None
- Washability: Maximum
Gloss is theatrical. It’s either stunning or a disaster — no middle ground.
When gloss is brilliant
- Front doors
- Feature woodwork
- Furniture
- Statement trim
- Contemporary or maximalist interiors
When gloss is awful
- Poor prep
- Large surfaces
- Old, uneven woodwork
Gloss reality check
- Prep is everything
- Dust control matters
- Brush technique must be excellent
Gloss magnifies craftsmanship — or lack of it.
Specialised finishes worth knowing
Durable Matt
Looks matt. Behaves slightly better. Still not magic. Best compromise for family homes.
Bathroom / Kitchen Paint
Usually silk or soft sheen with mould inhibitors. Practical, not subtle.
Exterior Matt vs Satin
- Matt exterior: Traditional, breathable, hides flaws
- Satin exterior: Modern, tougher, shows defects
Limewash / Mineral Paint
Ultra-breathable, chalky, organic. Gorgeous on stone and period walls. Not wipeable. Ever.
Finish by room: the practical matrix
| Room | Best finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ceilings | Flat matt only | Anything else shows every shadow and joint. |
| Living rooms | Matt or eggshell | Eggshell if kids/pets; chalky matt for grown-up spaces. |
| Bedrooms | Matt or eggshell | Avoid shine — it kills calm. |
| Hallways & stairs | Durable matt or eggshell | Satin if walls are good. |
| Kitchens | Eggshell, satin, or silk | Matt only if you accept patina. |
| Bathrooms | Satin or silk | Ventilation matters more than finish. |
| Woodwork | Eggshell, satin, or gloss | Eggshell for soft classic, satin for durability, gloss for statements. |
The biggest finish mistakes (be honest)
- Choosing finish last. Finish should be decided before colour.
- Mixing too many sheens in one room. Two finishes max. More looks chaotic.
- Shiny paint on bad walls. This is irreversible without sanding or replastering.
- Expecting matt to behave like vinyl. It won’t. Ever.
- Underestimating light direction. Side light exposes everything. Always.
The one rule that beats all others
The glossier the finish, the better the surface must be.
If the wall isn’t perfect, lower the sheen. Always.
Quick decision shortcut (when you’re stuck)
- Old house? → Matt / Eggshell
- New build? → Eggshell / Satin
- Kids? → Durable Matt / Eggshell
- Feature woodwork? → Gloss
- Hate cleaning? → Satin
- Hate shine? → Matt
Final reality check
There is no “best” finish. There is only best for the space, the light, and how you live.
Most paint regret isn’t about colour — it’s about choosing a finish that fights the room instead of working with it.
Keep going
Explore the full Guides hub or jump to a related read.
Barrow & Fall dupe finder
Find your perfect Farrow & Ball dupe
Search the full library, compare the closest matches, and get finish guidance in minutes.
- Compare top-rated dupes in seconds
- Undertone and finish guidance built in
- Save time and skip costly tester pots
- Cross-brand matches curated for accuracy
Search a Farrow & Ball shade
Popular shades