Use this crib sheet to pick the best finish for your needs.

Paint Finish: Flat/Matte

Where to Use: Best choice for walls with many imperfections. Use on ceilings and bedroom, dining-room, and living-room walls. Do not use in the kitchen or bathrooms.

Touch-ups and Scrubbability: Easy to touch up but hard to clean. Premium flat paint, such as Benjamin Moore Regal Matte Finish or California Paints Super-Scrub Matte Finish, has better washability.

Paint Finish: Eggshell

Where to Use: This low-sheen finish is a great choice for living-room or bedroom walls. Do not use in high-traffic areas, like hallways, because the delicate finish mars easily.

Touch-ups and Scrubbability: A washable finish that can be touched up.

Paint Finish: Satin

Where to Use: A silky, pearl-like sheen. Good choice for woodwork as well as walls in the family room, children's rooms, laundry room, kitchen, and bathrooms.

Touch-ups and Scrubbability: A warm finish that's scrubbable. More difficult to touch up because any difference in sheen will be apparent.

Paint Finish: Semigloss

Where to Use: A popular choice for trim and moldings. Ideal for kitchen and bathroom walls because it is more resistant to humidity and withstands stains, chipping, and scuffing.

Touch-ups and Scrubbability: Durable and easy to clean. The most scrubbable sheen for walls. More difficult to touch up because the difference in sheen may show up more easily.

Paint Finish: Gloss

Where to Use: Rarely used on walls because it shows imperfections like a mirror does. Typically used on woodwork, trim, moldings. Works well only for surfaces that are truly smooth.

Touch-ups and Scrubbability: The most durable finish and the easiest to clean. Most difficult to touch up because the difference in sheen may show up more easily.