When to choose matte paint?

As the name suggests, flat paint does not reflect light. It is traditionally used on the ceiling, but its powdery finish, which highlights the colours and offers a very elegant result, is also very chic on the walls. “Matte paint produces a powdery effect because it diffuses the light in a soft way. It accentuates the depth of colours, especially dark colours. This is what gives it this very aesthetic appearance” confirms Catherine Filoche, the consultant stylist at Dulux Valentine.

Small inconvenience, the matte paint is a little more fragile than satin paint. It was, therefore, preferable to opt for another finish in living rooms and passageways, but the new formulas now allow them to be applied everywhere. “These paints are now more resistant and even washable” indicates Catherine Filoche, “we can therefore apply them in an entrance, a hallway, a child’s room… Only damp rooms, such as the bathroom, are rarely worked in matte because this type of paint does not support humidity and condensation.”

Matt paint also has the advantage of erasing the imperfections of the support. Because it absorbs light, it visually softens flaws. It is therefore ideal for dressing a wall that has some roughness. “Matte is also very trendy. Paints are now multi-media, with a very decorative side, like chalk paint (“chalk paint”) which offers a very soft powdery finish, or blackboard paint. can be used on walls, woodwork, furniture, and blends very well with natural colours and raw materials” specifies the specialist.

When to choose satin paint?

The satin paint catches the light, which is what gives it its slightly shiny appearance. This is the most common finish. Very resistant, washable, it is thus suitable for all rooms. “Satin paint is easy to maintain and resists shocks well, it is the most universal” assures Catherine Filoche. “It is also suitable for all supports, walls, woodwork, tiles… and works perfectly with all colours “.

Satin paint is, therefore, to be preferred in rooms particularly exposed to the onslaught of everyday life. (repeated passages, friction, fingerprints…). It also tolerates humidity relatively well and performs well in damp rooms, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Small flat, it hides the defects a little less than matte paint. For an optimal result, it is essential to prepare the support well in order to be able to work on the smoothest possible wall.

Note: there are several kinds of satin paints, some offering a less shiny finish. “As with textiles, which have a very shiny side and a more matt side, the satin of a painting can be more or less high” indicates Catherine Filoche.”You can also find velvet satins. This is a more sophisticated finish, generally reserved for premium paint ranges, and rather used by decorators and interior designers”.

When to choose a gloss paint?

It is the paint finish that reflects the most light. We generally speak of lacquer, with a mirror finish. Very resistant to shocks, it is however difficult to apply and does not tolerate any imperfections. “To obtain this very shiny result, the paint film must stretch on drying,” explains Catherine Filoche. “This, therefore, requires stretching the material well, but above all a flawless application and a perfectly smooth support”.

Another disadvantage: it is often glycerol paint, which therefore releases many toxic substances, such as VOCs .” Better to reserve it for small surfaces, such as furniture or a few areas here and there to create a decorative effect” advises the professional. “Fully lacquered walls are no longer so trendy anyway”. This type of paint still finds its place in a kitchen or a bathroom.

Metallic paint: a new decorative trend

Increasingly popular, metallic paints are on the rise. “They offer another shiny aspect and are perfect for creating a visual effect. They are found in very decorative paint ranges, which can be applied to highlight a niche for example or to repaint a piece of furniture ” suggests the stylist.

On the colour side, there are of course gold and silver paints, but also copper tones, as well as an increasingly wide palette, from blue to green, passing through pink. They are found in aerosols for some, but also in pots to paint larger surfaces.

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