We’ve all been there - after hours of scrolling online for inspiration, days of contemplation and then more time spent finding the perfect swatch and visualizing your space, the last thing you want to do is choose a finish.
Don’t let this last step slow you down. As your local flooring and home design peers, we know that your walls and your floors work together to build the foundation of your room's style.
To help you navigate your next home project with confidence, we’ll break down the practical types of interior paint finishes so you can choose the exact right match for your household's daily life.
Table of Contents
The 2 Main Types of Interior Paint Families: Water-Based vs. Oil-Based
Understanding Different Types of Wall Paint Sheens
How to Select the Right Sheen for Your Project
Contact Simply Floors to Learn About Our Painting Services
The 2 Main Types of Interior Paint Families: Water-Based vs. Oil-Based
Before you look at colors or sheens, you need to choose the base formulation. Almost all types of paints for interior walls fall into one of two categories:
Water-Based Paints (Latex and Acrylic): This is the absolute standard for modern interior walls. Latex paint dries quickly, has very low odor, and cleans up easily with just soap and water. It remains flexible over time, meaning it can handle the minor shifting and dry climate adjustments common to Colorado homes without cracking.
Oil-Based Paints (Alkyd): Oil-based formulas are rarely used on main walls anymore due to their long drying times and strong chemical odors. However, because they cure to an incredibly hard, enamel-like finish, they are still occasionally chosen by professionals for high-impact surfaces like interior doors, window sills, and heavy-duty shelving.
Understanding Different Types of Wall Paint Sheens
Once you select your paint type, the next major decision is the sheen, or gloss level. The sheen determines how much light reflects off the wall and, more importantly, how easy the surface is to wipe clean.
Choosing a sheen isn't just an aesthetic choice, it’s a durability decision based on how your family uses the space.
Sheen Level | Reflectiveness | Durability / Washability | Best Rooms For Use |
Flat / Matte | None | Low (Scrubbing can remove paint) | Ceilings, adult bedrooms, low-traffic dens |
Eggshell | Soft, velvety hint of shine | Medium (Handles gentle wiping) | Living rooms, dining rooms, home offices |
Satin | Soft pearl-like glow | High (Easy to wipe clean) | Hallways, kids' bedrooms, family rooms |
Semi-Gloss | Sleek and radiant | Very High (Resists moisture and scrubbing) | Kitchens, bathrooms, baseboards, and trim |
How to Select the Right Sheen for Your Project
To ensure your paint job looks exceptional and stands up to everyday life, consider this straightforward selection path based on your room's specific needs:
1.Choose Flat or Matte for Low-Traffic Zones:
Best for imperfections.
Flat paint absorbs light completely. This makes it incredible at hiding minor drywall dents, ripples, or seams. It's the perfect choice for ceilings or formal rooms where walls won't be frequently touched.
2.Opt for Eggshell or Satin for Main Living Areas:
The golden middle.
These are the true workhorses of interior wall paint. They offer a beautiful, soft appearance under our bright Colorado sunlight while giving you the ability to gently wipe away a smudge or handprint without ruining the finish.
3.Reserve Semi-Gloss for Bathrooms, Kitchens, and Trim:
Moisture & impact defense.
Rooms with high humidity or surfaces that get kicked and bumped like your baseboards require a hard, moisture-resistant barrier. Semi-gloss repels water droplets and can handle repeated scrubbing.
Contact Simply Floors to Learn About Our Painting Services
At Simply Floors, we bring our curated collection of quality flooring samples directly to your doorstep. As a woman-owned, family-operated local business, owners Buddy and Karyn Mitchell designed our shop-at-home model to eliminate the stress, driving, and guesswork of home transformation.
Our expert team will bring the showroom directly into your living room across Wheat Ridge, Denver, and the entire Front Range.
You can lay our premium samples right against your freshly painted walls, see how the tones interact in your home's unique natural light, and make a decision you'll feel completely confident in for years to come.
We Invite You to Call or Visit One of Our 3 Showrooms Today!
Our Service Areas Include: Wheat Ridge, Centennial, Denver, Arvada, Aurora, Golden, and Parker, CO
Arvada, CO
Address: 5945 Ward Rd Arvada, CO 80004
Phone: (303) 731-5380
Centennial, CO
Address: 8101 S Quebec St. #2 Centennial, CO 80112
Phone: (303) 731-5380
Aurora, CO
Address: 17034 E Quincy Ave. Aurora, CO 80015
Phone: (303) 731-5380
About Simply Floors Inc.
At Simply Floors, we believe the best place to choose your new flooring isn’t under the buzzing fluorescent lights of a warehouse, but in the natural light of your own home where your life actually happens. As a woman-owned, family-operated business serving the Colorado Front Range—from Arvada and Wheat Ridge to Centennial and Parker—we’ve traded the high overhead of "mega-showrooms" for a personalized shop-at-home experience that puts you in control.
Our mission is built on a simple promise to enthusiastically exceed your expectations by providing curated, high-quality selections and transparent pricing without the big-box stress. Whether you are replacing well-worn carpet or updating your forever home, our dedicated team handles every detail with "Excellence in the Ordinary," ensuring a seamless, professional journey from the first measurement to the final plank.
Types of Interior Paint Finishes Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the sheen or finish of my interior paint affect how my floors look?
A: Wall sheen plays a huge role in how light reflects across your entire room including onto your floors! Higher-sheen paints, like semi-gloss or satin, bounce natural Colorado sunlight back down onto your flooring, which can emphasize the subtle shine of polished tile or accentuate the rich graining in luxury vinyl plank and hardwood.
On the flip side, flat or matte finishes absorb light, creating a softer backdrop that lets textured carpets or natural hand-scraped floors take center stage. Seeing your paint sheen next to flooring samples in your home’s natural light is the best way to make sure they balance each other out.
Q: Which paint finishes hold up best in high-traffic areas alongside durable flooring?
A: For busy areas like hallways, entryways, and family rooms, you want both your walls and your floors to withstand daily life.
Eggshell and satin paint finishes are the top choices for high-traffic walls because they offer a smooth, cleanable surface that resists scuffs without feeling overly shiny.
When paired with resilient flooring—like waterproof surface luxury vinyl plank or durable stain-resistant carpet—your space stays looking fresh and beautiful, even with kids, pets, and muddy boots coming in from the trail.
Q: Should I paint my walls or install new flooring first?
A: As a general rule, we usually recommend painting your room before installing new flooring. Painting first means you don't have to worry about accidental paint drips or splatters on your brand-new floors! It also makes prepping baseboards easier.
However, if you are keeping your existing baseboards or doing a quick refresh, taking care of either project first works just fine; our professional installation teams take extra care to protect your walls, trim, and living spaces every step of the way.
