If you’ve been paying any attention to recent design trends, you know that “color drenching” is hot right now. While not really new—the style actually began in Victorian times—it recently became popular again. Color drenching is when you paint everything from the floor up (trim, walls, doors, ceiling) the same color.

But using the same color doesn’t necessarily mean using the same finish, or sheen, of paint on every surface. Which one should you use where? The answers are below. Note: Experts recommend buying all of your color drenching paint types from the same brand, as color-matching may or may not work in this application.

FLAT

Image: Benjamin Moore

Flat paint is most often used for ceilings, for good reasons. It has finish that’s a little on the chalky side and doesn’t reflect light. That means it can help hide any imperfections (especially when viewed from below) but also makes it hard to clean. Since most of us don’t wipe down our ceilings on a regular basis, the masking abilities tend to outweigh the cleanability factor. If you’re thinking of painting your ceiling yourself, check out How To Paint A Ceiling In 4 Easy Steps from Benjamin Moore.

MATTE

Image: Color Concierge

Matte is a little bit glossier than flat, but you may not be able to see the difference. This finish is a little easier to clean (wipe-able but not wash-able) but is still best used for low-traffic areas. That said, some designers have gone all in with Matte and painted everything with it, as shown in the image above.

EGGSHELL

Image: Dulux

Eggshell is a popular choice for walls. It has a slight gloss, which reflects a bit more light than the previous two options. Eggshell is more durable and easier to clean than flat or Matte but still helps hide small imperfections. It also tends to be a little less expensive than another popular choice for walls, Satin.

SATIN

Image: DesigningIdea.com

Satin is Eggshell’s shinier, tougher sister. It’s not as good at hiding imperfections as Eggshell because it reflects more light, which can highlight dings and dents. It’s stronger and easier to clean, though, which makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas and bathrooms.  

GLOSS/HIGH GLOSS

Image House of Brinson

Gloss (and its bestie, High Gloss) are the shiniest sheens in town. They’re highly reflective, easy to clean and can take more punishment than the other sheens. That makes them great for baseboards, doors, built-ins and any features you’d like to highlight, like the decorative trim in the image above. (The walls pictured are Farrow and Ball’s version of Eggshell, which they call “modern emulsion.”)

On thing to consider with Gloss is that it does have a way of emphasizing imperfections, so you might not want to paint everything in the room with it. Then again…you might. Check out this room in all its glossy glory:

Image: Marie Flanigan Interiors, photography Julie Soefer

If all this talk of shine and sheen has your head in a whirl, don’t worry. Just contact us. We’re experts in paint types and application and will be happy to drench your room in any color you choose.