Gloss Vs. Semi-Gloss Paint in the Living Room

Formal Intimate Family Room

• If you have older kids or are empty nesters, the family room can take on a more formal feel. Set the tone of a formal room with a glossy paint. This reflects the most light and creates an intimate feel as the room will seem smaller. Create a regal tone with a rich-hued paint. The gloss will give a texture to the wall without stealing attention from items decorating the room. A softer feel can be created with a pastel tone, where the gloss keeps the color lively. Just beware that a gloss paint shows every blemish; be certain of the finishing on each surface.

Kid-Friendly Room

• For a family room that is filled with kids of all ages, choose a semi gloss paint. This keeps the style and mood of the room less formal and more welcoming. Although gloss is the most durable and washable sheen, semi gloss is very close in performance. Even with children coloring on the walls, semi gloss will provide the durability and scrub-able surface that can withstand artwork from little hands. Gloss will do best on the trim in these oft-used rooms.

Cottage Style Room

• Add some texture and definition to the walls by creating a cottage feel with wainscoting and a chair rail. The wainscoting on the lower half or third of the wall will create a detailed surface highlighted with gloss paint. This durable surface can stand up to the constant use of a family room. A common style is to use a glossy white paint on the wainscoting and chair rail and adding a contrasting color to the top half of the walls. The upper areas look best in a semi gloss or lower sheen finish.

Media Center

• For a media-focused family room, choose a paint that reflects the least amount of light. Gloss is not the best option for this type of room. A semi gloss paint on the walls will provide the washable surface needed in a high use room with less reflection than a gloss sheen. A semi gloss finish also hides more blemishes than the gloss sheen, an important factor in media rooms with many cords and wires running in and out of walls. Keep the room grounded with a lower sheen on walls parallel to a television or other brightly lit items.