I discovered this little gem years ago when I was repainting the living room after the divorce. It had been painted a neutral tan in flat paint. I repainted a lighter, soft apricot in satin finish primarily because I wanted to preserve as much light as I could.
Built-in light
The transformation was remarkable. The room glowed with soft light, even on cloudy days. I’m sure a lot of the lighter energy was because of the warmer, cheerier color, but the amount of reflected light in the room had definitely increased.
While some people may be afraid of using eggshell or satin finishes on walls for fear the walls will be too shiny, I haven’t found that to be true. After you hang art work and direct the focus to the furniture and other objects in the room, you’ll hardly notice the sheen on the walls.
Types of finishes
If you’re not familiar with paint finishes, here’s a quick primer:
Flat – The most common finish for walls, flat has a matte finish that doesn’t reflect light. Because of that, it’s also the most forgiving for hiding imperfections in the wall and the hardest to clean.
Eggshell – Called this because it resembles the soft sheen of an egg. Reflects a bit more light than flat and is easier to clean because it’s smoother.
Satin – This finish has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. Often used for windows, doors or trim where you don’t want the higher shine of semi-gloss, it’s also useful for walls or ceilings. Easy to clean.
Semi-gloss – Typically used for trim and cabinets. Has a nice, not overpowering shine that will highlight a poorly prepped surface. Also more durable.
Glossy – Not often used in homes, glossy finish offers high shine and will magnify any surface imperfections.
Mix ‘em up
If you’ve typically painted with flat paint for walls and semi-gloss for trim, don’t be afraid to mix up your finishes. I “striped” walls using flat and satin of the same soft white, creating a subtle wallpaper effect while increasing the light reflectivity and visual interest.
Satin paint used on the crown molding provided a subtle architectural highlight in a bland room. Ceilings painted with satin finish in rooms with no direct sunlight will brighten up.
Be bold
Take note of which rooms in your house might benefit from built-in brightening with paint during the rest of this winter season. The next time you repaint, be bold – move beyond flat.
This tip is an excerpt from the guide, Your 8 Step Plan to Stopping the Winter Blues, which you can get here.
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