Decorating the living room is a fun and exciting task, but it also comes with its own set of considerations. One such consideration is paint choice. What type of paint best fits the room’s desired color, texture, and feel?
Eggshell paint is an increasingly popular choice for living room walls. Known for its low sheen, eggshell paint is easier to clean than flat paint. It offers greater protection against stains and scuffs, and it’s also durable enough to stand up to wear and tear from everyday use.
In this article, you’re going to learn:
- Why eggshell paint is a great choice for living room walls
- The drawbacks of using eggshell paint
- How eggshell compares to other paint finishes
- What paint finish should be used on baseboards and trims
5 Benefits of Using Eggshell Paint in Your Living Room
Eggshell is one of the best paint finishes for living rooms. Here is a list of the 5 reasons why.
Appearance
Eggshell paints have a slightly glossy sheen, providing a subtle touch of elegance without overpowering. Regardless of which color you choose, the subtle sheen will add depth and dimension to any space and make it look more polished.
Affordability
Eggshell paints are also very affordable compared to other types of paints on the market, making them an attractive option for budget-minded homeowners looking to spruce up their living rooms without breaking the bank.
Durability
Eggshell paints are more durable and long-lasting than flat and matte paints, making them ideal for moderate-traffic areas like living rooms. Since it has a sheen, albeit low, it still has a protective layer that helps it resist dirt, dust, and stains.
Easy cleanup
Eggshell paints are much easier to clean than flat and matte paints since their finish doesn’t attract dirt and dust particles as readily.
This makes them great for homes with children or pets, since it takes less effort to keep the walls looking neat. A washcloth dipped in gentle detergent is usually all you’ll need to wipe away most smudges and fingerprints.
Versatility
The versatility of eggshell paints is second-to-none. They can be used in different rooms and come in a wide variety of colors, so you can find something that fits your home perfectly.
Additionally, they can be applied with either a brush or roller depending on the size of the job at hand, making them suitable for both small DIY projects and larger renovations.
4 Drawbacks of Using Eggshell Paint in Your Living Room
Despite its many benefits, there are some disadvantages to using eggshell paint.
Not designed for hard scrubbing
Although eggshell paints are great for easy cleanup, they are not designed to withstand hard scrubbing and frequent washing.
Therefore, if your living room is regularly exposed to a lot of dirt and grime, you may want to consider a glossier sheen instead. Eggshell is not recommended for living rooms with very high traffic as it can easily get damaged.
Still susceptible to scuffs, dings, and knocks
Despite its durability and protective layer, eggshell paints can still be susceptible to scuffs, dings, and knocks. This is especially true if you don’t take proper precautions to protect the walls from furniture and other items.
Will not hide imperfections
Eggshell paints do not hide imperfections as well as flatter sheens, so it’s important to ensure your living room walls are perfectly smooth before you begin painting. Any blemishes or bumps will be more noticeable with an eggshell paint finish.
Low moisture resistance
Eggshell paints also have low moisture resistance, making them less than ideal for areas that are prone to moisture and humidity, such as an open-plan kitchen and dining room.
In these cases, you may opt for a finish with more moisture resistance, such as semi-gloss or high-gloss paint. This will help ensure the paint stays looking great for years to come.
How Does Eggshell Paint Compare to Other Finishes?
Flat (matte)
The primary difference between flat and eggshell paint is that eggshell provides a higher sheen than flat paint. A flat or matte finish in a living room will provide little to no shine, giving it an understated, muted look that looks especially good on walls with imperfections like bumps and cracks.
Durability is something else to consider when deciding between flat and eggshell paints for your living room walls. Mattes tend to handle touch-ups better since their lack of shine makes it easier to blend into existing paint jobs without standing out from the finish of the wall.
Finally, another important factor to consider when deciding between flat and eggshell is cost. Flat or matte paint tends to be slightly less expensive than eggshell paint. However, this difference should not be too significant as long as high-quality paints are used for both finishes.
Satin
Using satin paint in your living room will give off a slight sheen to the room. It is softer and glossier than an eggshell finish but flatter than semi-gloss paint.
It won’t produce reflections in low light like some of the more glossy paints do. Eggshell paint also has a strong color but generally has less luster than satin paint. It provides a more subtle sheen and won’t reflect light as much.
When it comes to cost, satin finishes can be slightly more expensive. However, depending on the product quality, the difference may not be substantial enough to make one choice over the other based solely on price point alone.
For durability, both types of finishes are very flexible and tough enough to stand up well to wear even in moderately high-traffic areas while also being moisture-resistant.
However, satin tends to be slightly more resilient than eggshell when it comes to abrasions and scratches, making it a better choice for areas prone to scuffs or bumps. On the other hand, touch-ups are less noticeable on eggshell finishes.
Semi-gloss
Painting your living room with semi-gloss will provide a glass-like appearance with its smooth and shiny finish. This paint reflects light better than eggshell paint, so it can visually brighten your space if desired.
Eggshell paint, on the other hand, offers a softer finish with little reflection. It won’t be as reflective or shiny as gloss paint, but it still offers some degree of sheen.
The cost of both options can vary depending on factors like brand, quality, and quantity required, but gloss paints are generally much more expensive than eggshell paint.
Gloss paints are more difficult to blend in due to their high sheen, making them less ideal if you anticipate needing touch-ups down the road.
Regarding durability, both types of paints can stand up to some serious scrubbing. However, gloss paint tends to be tougher and more stain-resistant due to its superior sheen.
With regular cleaning, high-gloss finishes should maintain their original look after many years, whereas eggshell finishes may become duller over time due to their lower sheen.
What Paint Finish Is Best for Trim, Baseboards, Doors, and Casings?
Gloss paint is an excellent choice for trim, baseboards, doors, and casings for living room walls. It is a great way to make the walls look more inviting and warm because it gives off a stunning glossy finish.
It is extremely durable and resistant to scratches and other damages caused by everyday use. This makes it ideal for use in high-traffic areas like living rooms as it will not easily chip or scratch.
Another benefit of using gloss paint is that it can withstand cleaning better than most paints. It is easy to keep clean with just a damp cloth, meaning you don’t have to worry about scrubbing away any stubborn stains or dirt buildup that may occur over time.
