What type of paint and finish would be best for high-traffic hallway walls with subtle imperfections, considering pale color and poor lighting?
I’m planning to give my hallway a fresh coat of paint. The walls are showing a subtle quilt-like pattern due to the plaster or gypsum boards from the 1950s. I’m not too concerned about it, but I’d like to choose a paint that doesn’t make it more noticeable.
I’m thinking of going for a pale color like SW Worldly Gray. I’m not sure if satin or eggshell finish would help hide the imperfections better. I’m even open to using flat paint if needed.
Since it’s a high-traffic area with multiple kids and a dog, I need something that can withstand all that activity.
In my dining room, I used flat Sherwin Williams paint in a dark color, and it’s been good with scrubbing, but it’s looking a bit dull in my opinion.
What do you think would be the best option? Should I go for a darker color in flat finish considering the hallway has poor lighting? Or can I stick with the pale color and go for satin or eggshell finish? Is one better than the other? Or do I have to go for a full semi-gloss finish?
The shinier the paint, the more noticeable imperfections will be. I painted my living room with Behr scrub & ?? (Can’t recall the name) in a flat finish and I am completely satisfied. My house dates back to 1957.
So, it’s the Behr Scuff Defense, am I right?
Yes, Meagan! That’s her name.
I’m not a huge fan of flat finishes and their cleanability. I do think that flat paint tends to emphasize shadows a bit more. Personally, I would choose satin for its durability and not stress too much about the texture showing, especially since it’s for a hallway.
Oh, I didn’t even consider shadows. That could definitely be a problem for us. One section of the hallway doesn’t have any windows. Thanks for pointing that out!
Eggshell is a nice middle ground. It doesn’t easily show scuffs and can be washed when needed.
Satin and flat paints may seem similar at first glance. Next in line is eggshell, followed by semi-gloss, and finally gloss.
Satin paint actually has a bit more sheen than flat, it’s one step shinier than eggshell. So the order from least to most shiny is Flat/Matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss.
. This is new information for me, but no problem. Thank you, Wal!
You guys are amazing. That’s why I enjoy asking questions on this platform. Thank you for the helpful advice and explanations on WHAT I need to do and WHY. Much more valuable than a generic internet search!
I personally find eggshell paint to be quite forgiving but still enjoy the slight sheen it provides. However, in areas with high foot traffic, we went with satin for its ability to withstand wear and tear and its easy cleaning properties. If you’re interested in a smaller project, consider adding some wall boards like beadboard to improve texture and durability. This can also help soften the look when using darker colors, which is what we did in our dining room.
Hey, I really like that idea! I’m starting to consider it more seriously now. 🤔