What sheen do professional painters use?

Professional painters do not use just one sheen for everything, they use different sheens for different surfaces to balance aesthetics, durability, and practicality, which is part of what gives a professionally painted home a polished look. For most interior walls in living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and dining rooms, professionals commonly use eggshell or satin, because these finishes offer a soft, subtle glow, are more washable than flat, and are still forgiving enough to hide minor wall imperfections. Flat or matte is often used for ceilings and sometimes for walls in low-traffic, formal spaces where hiding imperfections is the priority. For trim, baseboards, crown molding, window casings, doors, and cabinetry, the industry standard is semi-gloss, because it is hard, durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean, and its higher sheen creates an attractive contrast with the lower sheen walls. In kitchens and bathrooms, pros may use satin or semi-gloss on walls as well for extra moisture resistance. High-gloss is reserved for special accent pieces like front doors, high-end cabinets, or furniture where a dramatic, enamel-like finish is desired.