Searching for the perfect paint finish for your bedroom can be overwhelming. There is a seemingly endless array of options. But all it takes is a bit of research to determine which will ultimately be the best choice.
Semi-gloss paint is suitable for high-traffic bedrooms. Semi-gloss offers superior durability and is also easier to clean, making it an ideal choice for active households. Semi-gloss paint also has a sheen that can help brighten and open up the room, adding an element of style.
In this article, you will learn:
- The pros of semi-gloss on bedroom walls
- The cons of using semi-gloss
- How semi-gloss compares to other finishes
5 Benefits of Using Semi-Gloss Paint in Your Bedroom
Semi-gloss isn’t likely to be the best paint finish for your bedroom, but it does have its benefits. Here is a list of the 5 reasons why you might want to choose it.
Easy maintenance
Semi-gloss paint has several advantages over other types of paint regarding maintenance and upkeep. Because of its durable finish, semi-gloss paint will last much longer than other types of paint, making it an ideal option to keep your bedroom looking fresh for years to come.
Semi-gloss paint is also far easier to clean. All you need is mild soap or detergent and a damp cloth to easily remove stains or smudges that may appear over time. This makes semi-gloss perfect for children’s bedrooms.
Light reflection
Another benefit of using semi-gloss paint in your bedroom is that it reflects light better than other types of paint. This will help brighten your room, making it more inviting and comfortable. If your bedroom feels brighter and more vibrant, semi-gloss paint should be your go-to choice.
Versatility
Another benefit of semi-gloss paints is their versatility. These paints can be used on walls, furniture, and trim, making them ideal for multi-purpose rooms like bedrooms with both painted walls and furniture pieces within them.
Whether looking for an all-over wall color or just trying to brighten up certain furniture pieces in your room, semi-gloss paint can do the job. Plus, these paints come in a wide range of colors, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
Elegance
Semi-gloss paint will bring a sense of elegance to your bedroom. They have a higher sheen and gloss than most other paints, making them perfectly suited for bedrooms that are meant to look stylish and sophisticated.
Durability
Lastly, semi-gloss paint has excellent durability compared to other types of paint. This means that it won’t chip or fade as easily over time, so you don’t have to worry about touch-ups so much over the years.
It also holds up well against moisture, so you don’t have to worry about mold growth on the walls due to high humidity levels in the room, either.
4 Cons of Using Semi-Gloss Paint in Your Bedroom
Despite having some benefits, here is a list of reasons why semi-gloss probably isn’t the right choice for you.
Reveals imperfections
The high sheen of semi-gloss paint also has its drawbacks. Because it reflects light more than other types of paints, it can reveal any imperfections that may be present on the wall. If your bedroom walls have bumps or cracks, they will stand out while using semi-gloss paint.
Can look too shiny
The other downside of semi-gloss paint is that it can look too shiny. This can be off-putting for some people, so if you prefer a more subtle look in your bedroom, you might not want to use semi-gloss.
Lighting Issues
Semi-gloss paint reflects light more than other paints, which can create a glare when paired with certain lighting fixtures or natural light sources like windows and skylights. This glare can make it difficult to see in certain parts of your bedroom and even strain your eyes after prolonged exposure.
For this reason, semi-gloss paint should generally be avoided in bedrooms with large windows unless you invest in dimming shades or curtains and special lighting fixtures designed to reduce glare.
Cost considerations
Finally, semi-gloss paints tend to cost more than other types due to their superior durability and high-sheen finish. If you want the best results for your bedroom walls without breaking the bank, another type of paint may be a better option.
How Does Semi-Gloss Paint Compare to Other Finishes?
High-gloss
Using a high-gloss paint in your bedroom will provide a shiny finish that can make the space seem luxurious. However, high-gloss paint tends to highlight any imperfections in the surface and requires considerable preparation before painting.
Semi-gloss paints have less sheen than high-gloss paints, giving rooms a slightly subtler look. This type of paint is usually less expensive than its counterpart. Additionally, it is not as reflective, so it doesn’t emphasize imperfections as much as high gloss.
Both semi- and high-gloss paints are highly durable and easy to clean. Both can stand up well to scrubbing. However both paints are hard to touch up once applied, so it is important to have careful planning and execution when painting with either one.
Satin
Using satin paint in a bedroom will provide a strong color and a slight sheen. It is softer and has less of a glossy finish than semi-gloss paint but still more of a luster than an eggshell finish. This makes it ideal as reflections from light sources won’t be produced in the low light settings common in most bedrooms.
Satin paint is known for its flexibility and toughness. However, semi-gloss paint is more durable and better at resisting moisture, stains, and dirt. This makes it a great choice if your bedroom has higher humidity levels, or if you’re expecting frequent spills or messes.
Semi-gloss can tolerate more intense scrubbing than satin, making it a popular choice for DIY projects. However, it is more reflective than satin paint, so if you’re looking for a softer finish in your bedroom, then semi-gloss might not be the best option.
Eggshell
An eggshell finish is ideal for moderate-traffic bedrooms. It has a slight sheen that looks richer than flat paint, and it’s also fairly easy to apply.
Eggshell paints are good at covering imperfections, but they don’t tend to last as long as higher-sheen alternatives because they’re not as tough. Eggshell paints can also highlight some imperfections, so they might not always be the best choice if you have an uneven wall surface.
This type of paint is fairly easy to maintain, but it doesn’t offer the same level of moisture or mold resistance as semi-gloss paints do. Eggshell paints also require more frequent touch-ups, although these tend to blend well with existing layers when done properly.
On the other hand, semi-gloss beats eggshell in terms of durability. It is more resistant to dirt, moisture, and stains, and is easier to clean. In terms of cost, semi-gloss is more expensive than eggshell, but it’s still a lot cheaper than high-gloss paints. It also requires fewer touch-ups because it’s not as prone to wear and tear.
Flat (matte)
Flat and matte paints in bedrooms are the most popular option. They offer an even, muted finish with less shine than semi-gloss. While this type of paint is often used to create a cozy atmosphere in bedrooms, its plainness can also appear dull if not balanced with other design elements.
On the other hand, semi-gloss paints offer a higher shine than flat paints but still maintain a low enough luster so that reflections aren’t too intense in smaller rooms such as bedrooms. Semi-gloss paints are usually more expensive than flat paints, but they provide better coverage due to their higher pigment content.
Flat is not as durable as semi-gloss finishes since it is prone to scuffs, dings, and knocks. It is also more difficult to clean. On the other hand, semi-gloss paints are easy to maintain and can stand up to frequent cleaning without fading or chipping as easily as flat paints do.
What Paint Finish Is Best for Trim, Baseboards, Doors, and Casings?
Semi- and high-gloss paint is the preferred choice when painting trim, baseboards, doors, and casings in a bedroom.
Gloss paints are more durable and resistant to stains, making them a better choice for these areas of your bedroom. They are also easier to clean than other types of paint, so you don’t have to worry about scrubbing off dirt and grime from these surfaces every few months.
In addition, glossy paints will make these surfaces stand out more, giving them a fresh and modern look. While some people may find the high sheen of gloss paint too much for their bedroom walls, they are still ideal for trim, baseboards, doors, and casings as they won’t overpower the room with bright colors.
