Paint Finishes Explained

A quick guide to paint finishes

Matt emulsion is smooth, velvety and helps to hide imperfections on less-than-perfect walls. 

Flat matt emulsion is even more velvety and because matt surfaces don't reflect light, they make all colours look as similar as they can be in very different light conditions. Flat matt works wonders on deeper shades, too. 

Satin and Silk are 'mid-sheen' finishes, which means they look like a slightly polished surface and reflect a bit of light. Silk is a finish associated with walls and satin for woodwork. You can wipe silk wall finishes easily which makes them very practical but if you have less-than-perfect walls, all the lumps and bumps may show up a bit more. A satin finish on woodwork helps to hide imperfections and gives colour a softer appearance. 

Eggshell has less of a sheen than silk or satin and it does look like the surface of an eggshell (the clue's in the name). It sits somewhere between matt and a silk finish and gives a beautiful classic look to woodwork – and can also be used on walls when you want a heritage style look with a tough finish.

Gloss is a shiny finish designed for woodwork and it reflects lots of light – so is perfect for paler colours. You have to have a great surface to make it look its best, but it is hugely practical and adds a lovely contrast to walls that are painted in a matt. 

Source: Dulux

Denim Drift named as Dulux's Colour of the Year 2017

'Blue is the colour of life, of everyday life. It is familiar yet it is new.'

Experts at the leading paint brand have developed the annual forecast based on emerging trends that shape the way people live, and they've chosen blue as the defining hue for next year, under the theme 'Life in a new light'.

Denim Drift is a versatile and neutral palette that allows different textures and materials to take centre stage. 

But why blue? 'Blue is the colour of life; it is the clothes we wear, the sky we gaze at and the water that revitalises us,' say Dulux.'Blue has been, and will continue to be, a constant in every aspect of our lives. From the deepest ink blue, to the palest misty blue, this colour spans every spectrum of life; it is a royal colour, but it is also used for workers' blue jeans.'

To complement the Colour of the Year, Dulux have developed a family tonal colour palette featuring a spectrum of blue tones. While the rich and sophisticated shades will bring your walls to life and exude energy, the lighter tones will be cool and calming with a crisp and airy feel.

CONSIDERED LUXURY

What is it about? A subtle and modest luxury, this is a new way of living and a new consumerism where value is placed on experience rather than possessions. It's about creating priceless memories and looking at the world with fresh eyes, not adding clutter but experiences instead: buy less, choose well and make it last. This is a palette of sophisticated neutrals that have the quality to subtly change in different light conditions, giving a greater flexibility on how a space looks and feels at any given time. 

Decorating advice: 'In this look, everything counts and everything is meaningful, even different sheen levels of the same colour can be used to make an impact that is whispered and memorable,' reveals Shillingford. 'The experience you have of the space should be as important as the way it appears, so resist the temptation to fill it with stuff that looks great but has no back story. A nice chair is just a nice chair, but one that you had specially made, or made yourself is something that provides lasting joy. 

'Feel the space as well as see it by extending the palette into tactile materials and fabrics that delight your fingers and toes and tell stories through the art you hang and objects you display.'

Source: Dulux