It’s hard to deny the difference a fresh coat of paint can make. It’s often the first thing we suggest to clients, especially for the spots that aren’t part of a bigger renovation, like hallways, doors, and trim. Paint can brighten shabby, dull, or dated areas and make them feel like yours again.
The hallway that’s sporting one too many scuffs, the bathroom you’ve been meaning to do something about, the front door that’s looking a little tired: these are projects that don’t take much work, and each one changes how your home feels every time you return to it.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to get started, consider this your sign. Below, we walk through which paint sheen suits which surface, then share the colours our in-house interior designers, Jillian Fritz and Julia Chamberlain, are recommending right now.
Types of Paint Sheens & Where to Use Them
Sheen, or paint finish, refers to how much light reflects off a painted surface. The sheen can affect colour’s appearance, and has the ability to add dimension. The spectrum of sheen ranges from no shine (i.e. “flat”) to high shine (“gloss”).
Each company will have slightly different names for their available paint sheens. The information we’ve provided here is based on Benjamin Moore products. Our preferred brands are Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams because of their high-quality ingredients, massive selection of colours, and highly predictable performance.
Flat – Its “lack of reflection allows more paint pigment to come through, is more forgiving of flaws and allows for excellent hide, creating a uniform surface,” notes the Benjamin Moore guide. Flat offers a velvety flawless finish, and is best for use in very low-traffic areas or surfaces that won’t be touched.
Use for: non-bathroom ceilings (ask for an ultra flat ceiling paint), adult bedrooms, formal living rooms, studies.
Matte – Has a luxurious look, providing excellent coverage and depth of colour. It has more durability than a flat sheen, and can withstand frequent washings. Matte hides more imperfections on expansive walls, while eggshell (below) is more washable.
Use for: living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and large open walls.
Eggshell – Also low-sheen but even more durable and easy to clean than matte and flat paints, eggshell has a subtle glow and hides flaws.
Use for: hallways, family rooms, kids’ bedrooms, and other walls that get touched or wiped down.
Pearl – A medium gloss with high durability for high-traffic areas and mildew resistance for high-humidity rooms like bathrooms.
Use for: bathrooms, laundry rooms, baseboards, door and window casing, crown moulding.
Satin – Has higher gloss than eggshell while offering better stain resistance and durability. Good for highlighting architectural details.
Use for: trim, interior doors, kitchens, and details you want to highlight, like built-ins or panelling.
Gloss (Semi and High) – A gloss finish offers a luminous look that tends to make colours look brighter and richer. Highly durable and stain-resistant, gloss creates dimension.
Use for: doors, cabinetry, and trim, or a dramatic accent. Since it’s less common, use it deliberately.
Exterior Painting
- Low lustre is the go-to for sheens on the exterior of your home. You can paint almost everything low lustre (it’s comparable to an interior eggshell).
- Flat – Good for stucco application.
- Satin – Use for doors exposed to a lot of exterior elements.
High gloss can be used outside or inside for dramatic effect. It’s a less popular finish but is effective in certain applications like architectural details.
Our Top Paint Colour Picks
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the endless colour choices out there, our designers share their top recommendations in four colour categories below. If you search for any of these colours on Pinterest and Instagram, you’ll find hundreds of images to help you visualize the final outcome. But we always recommend buying a sample, painting a good-sized swatch, and observing it at different times of day before committing to a paint colour.
The white recommendations are divided into three groups. White paint can be greatly affected not only by the lighting of the room (both natural and artificial), but also the materials and flooring.
If you’re taking on a DIY paint project, we highly recommend trying several white paints as side-by-side swatches to really see their differences and the undertones of each one.
Colour descriptions in quotes are from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams’ own product pages.
White Paint Colours
Warm Whites
Swiss Coffee OC 45 – “An essential white paint colour with just the right amount of warmth.”
Mountain Peak White OC-121 – “Soft notes of yellow add richness to this crisp white.”
Greek Villa SW 7551 – “This sunny white comes to life in natural light. Use it to brighten any space or try it on trim to make other colors pop.”
Sanctuary SW 9583 – A soft, warm neutral that sits between white and greige.
Cool Whites
Snowbound SW 7004 – “With its slight gray undertone, this versatile cool white pairs well with other gray-influenced colors.”
Dove Wing OC-18 – “Silvery undertones bring a luminous quality to this white.”
Morning Dew OC-140 – “A soothing, cool gray with a touch of green.”
In-between White (true neutral / greige)
Natural Cream OC-14 – “A light greige that flatters both warm and cool colour schemes.”
Brown Paint Colours
Black Fox SW 7020 – A deep, warm charcoal-brown that blends black, brown, and gray for dramatic contrast without going true black.
Dark Clove SW 9183 – “…this deep, spiced-brown features subtle yellow undertones that will wrap you in warmth all year long.”
Homestead Brown SW 7515 – “…a cool, deep brown. Its slate undertone provides a grounding and stable presence, creating a timelessly rustic atmosphere.”
Char Brown 2137-20 – “A lush brown with a hint of mossy undertone.”
Otter Brown 2137-10 – “A dark brown with rich olive tones.”
Green Paint Colours
Vintage Vogue 462 – “An ultra-dark, smoky green that can be used in the place of black or brown.”
Antique Pewter 1560 – “Reminiscent of a rich patina, this green hue is grounded by a touch of gray.”
Hidden Trail SW 9525 – A muted, earthy olive-green with a warm, grounded feel.
Blue Paint Colour
Hale Navy HC-154 – The perfect deep navy, which is a perennial favourite of ours, and many other designers
Along with our interior design services, NOVERO Homes provides high-quality professional painting services. If you’re considering outsourcing your paint update project, contact us for an estimate.
Feature photo source: Studio McGee