Where to use Paint Sheens

FLAT  -  If you have a surface that has imperfections, often flat paint is a good choice. Flat paint also looks good on interior ceilings other than bathroom, laundry room and kitchen where an enamel is used. Flat paint has a soft look to it, but does not wash or scrub very well.

EGGSHELL or SATIN  - Interior walls other than bathrooms, laundry room and kitchen. This product provides decent wash-ability, without much of a sheen. Some people even choose to use this sheen on the trim, as well. It will not show imperfections in wood as much as semi-gloss or gloss, yet still cleans up nicely. It often only has a side sheen to it and appears flat from a direct view. Exterior walls and trim are often painted with this sheen, except for doors that are most commonly semi-gloss or gloss.

SEMI-GLOSS  -  Interior  -  Bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, all doors and trim throughout the home are often painted with semi-gloss. Entire interior of apartments are often painted with a semi-gloss for it's washability. Exterior  -  Trim and doors are often painted with semi-gloss. A few of my friends have painted their entire homes with semi-gloss because the dirt and debris have less to cling to and is easily rinsed away once or twice a year.

GLOSS  -  Pretty much the same places as semi-gloss would be painted, but when you want the surface to be shinier. Nothing shows off nice woodwork better than gloss. Whether it is paint, varnish, epoxy or urethane, gloss is always the most durable and least forgiving for showing imperfections in the surface.