When choosing paints for a room, not only do you have to consider what color will suit it best, but also what paint sheen – the shininess of the paint. Colors can be flat and reflect no light, glossy and reflect a lot of light or various levels of reflection in between. Here are a few things to keep in mind when picking your sheen level.

Texture
With a highly glossy paint, the light reflecting off it would make bumps even more obvious. For these types of walls, using a flat sheen will help smooth everything out.

Cleaning
A glossy paint is easier to clean. Consider a glossier paint for rooms where you would likely deal with messes, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Aesthetics
Ultimately, if practical reasons don’t completely apply, choose a sheen that best fits the design of the room or try mixing sheens. A combination might be just what you need.