Decorating Guides
What Paint Finish Is Right for Your Walls?
The question of finish may be as crucial as colour. See which of these 9 varieties suits your space — and budget
Most would agree that wall colour is a key decorating decision, right up there with choosing furniture and pinpointing your style. But what about the finish of your walls? From velvety matte to high gloss enamel, Venetian plaster, decorative finishes and more, the choices are endless – and the decision you make can have a profound impact on the look and feel of your room. Read on to get the rundown on nine of the most highly coveted wall finishes, so you can make a great choice for your space.
Eggshell
One of the most popular finishes for interior walls, eggshell paint has a subtle gleam, medium reflectivity and is fairly easy to clean. It’s a good all-around paint choice.
Browse through images of eggshell white rooms
One of the most popular finishes for interior walls, eggshell paint has a subtle gleam, medium reflectivity and is fairly easy to clean. It’s a good all-around paint choice.
Browse through images of eggshell white rooms
Semi-gloss
With much more reflectivity than eggshell, semi-gloss paint is a popular choice for trim. In the space shown here, the walls have an eggshell finish, the ceiling is flat and the trim is done in semi-gloss.
With much more reflectivity than eggshell, semi-gloss paint is a popular choice for trim. In the space shown here, the walls have an eggshell finish, the ceiling is flat and the trim is done in semi-gloss.
High gloss or lacquer
Lacquered (aka high gloss) walls and ceilings have been a hot look in decorating for some time, and it’s a trend that appears to have staying power.
Real-deal lacquer contains toxic ingredients and is no longer used in most places. Instead, a lacquer-like effect can be created using regular paint with a high gloss finish, or with a modern lacquer that combines high gloss paint with water-based varnish.
High gloss paint creates a reflective surface and is highly durable. But be warned – it will show every imperfection in your walls.
Lacquered (aka high gloss) walls and ceilings have been a hot look in decorating for some time, and it’s a trend that appears to have staying power.
Real-deal lacquer contains toxic ingredients and is no longer used in most places. Instead, a lacquer-like effect can be created using regular paint with a high gloss finish, or with a modern lacquer that combines high gloss paint with water-based varnish.
High gloss paint creates a reflective surface and is highly durable. But be warned – it will show every imperfection in your walls.
Creating this look requires some serious wall preparation. Most walls will first need to be skim-coated, where a layer of joint compound or plaster is applied, before priming.
During painting, you may need to layer three, four, five or more coats of colour to achieve the effect you are looking for. Pros spray rather than brush on the paint for an ultra-slick look.
Wondering which to choose – Lacquer, Varnish or Polyurethane?
During painting, you may need to layer three, four, five or more coats of colour to achieve the effect you are looking for. Pros spray rather than brush on the paint for an ultra-slick look.
Wondering which to choose – Lacquer, Varnish or Polyurethane?
If you want to lacquer a small area, like the pocket door shown here, doing it yourself is reasonable.
But if you have your heart set on high gloss living room walls (and ceiling), it’s best to hire a pro.
And you can expect it to set you back more than the typical painting job – it will take a great deal more paint, plus extra time to prep and apply.
But if you have your heart set on high gloss living room walls (and ceiling), it’s best to hire a pro.
And you can expect it to set you back more than the typical painting job – it will take a great deal more paint, plus extra time to prep and apply.
Special effects
Decorative painting
Looking for something a little different? Consider doing a decorative or faux finish on your walls. From a gorgeous patina that looks like it came straight from an old, palace hotel, to fun textures and patterns, the only limit is your imagination. For some, this can be a fun DIY experiment; for others, a professional decorative painter may be in your future!
Check out some of the best DIY projects on Houzz
Decorative painting
Looking for something a little different? Consider doing a decorative or faux finish on your walls. From a gorgeous patina that looks like it came straight from an old, palace hotel, to fun textures and patterns, the only limit is your imagination. For some, this can be a fun DIY experiment; for others, a professional decorative painter may be in your future!
Check out some of the best DIY projects on Houzz
Murals
An original, hand-painted mural created just for your home is something to treasure. Whether you are looking for a special scene to complete baby’s nursery, or a one-of-a-kind statement for your formal dining room, a mural can be the ultimate expression of your personal aesthetic.
An original, hand-painted mural created just for your home is something to treasure. Whether you are looking for a special scene to complete baby’s nursery, or a one-of-a-kind statement for your formal dining room, a mural can be the ultimate expression of your personal aesthetic.
Venetian plaster
Lustrous and rich in texture and in colour, classic Venetian plaster is considered by some to be the ultimate in elegance.
Originating in Venice in the 1500s, this interior finish is made from slaked lime, marble dust and pigments. It is far more durable than paint and resists cracking.
Here’s how to wow with plaster of paint
Lustrous and rich in texture and in colour, classic Venetian plaster is considered by some to be the ultimate in elegance.
Originating in Venice in the 1500s, this interior finish is made from slaked lime, marble dust and pigments. It is far more durable than paint and resists cracking.
Here’s how to wow with plaster of paint
Stained wood panel walls
If you have wood panelling rather than sheet rock or plaster, you have the option to stain, rather than paint, the wood. The appeal of stain is that the grain of the wood shows through. Wood stain alone will have a finish akin to matte paint, but you can alter the look by applying a glaze with a higher sheen on top.
Read more:
The Secret to a Long-Lasting Wall Paint Job
Tell us:
Have you ever tried a decorative wall finish? Or want to? Which is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below.
If you have wood panelling rather than sheet rock or plaster, you have the option to stain, rather than paint, the wood. The appeal of stain is that the grain of the wood shows through. Wood stain alone will have a finish akin to matte paint, but you can alter the look by applying a glaze with a higher sheen on top.
Read more:
The Secret to a Long-Lasting Wall Paint Job
Tell us:
Have you ever tried a decorative wall finish? Or want to? Which is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below.
Matte
Not to be confused with flat paint (generally only used on ceilings), paint with a matte finish is velvety and makes colours look especially rich and deep. It is not at all reflective and hides wall imperfections well – but it is hard to clean. A good choice for areas with less traffic – and homes without crayon-wielding children.