Sheen
How glossy a paint dries — flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss — which affects durability and how much it shows flaws.
Sheen is the level of gloss a paint dries to, on a scale from **flat (matte)** through **eggshell** and **satin** to **semi-gloss** and **gloss**. It's a practical choice, not just looks: flatter sheens hide wall imperfections and patches but scuff and stain more easily, while glossier sheens wipe clean and resist moisture but reflect light and show every roller mark and dent. The usual playbook is flat or eggshell on ceilings and low-traffic walls, satin or eggshell in living areas and bedrooms, and semi-gloss on trim, doors, kitchens, and bathrooms where you'll be scrubbing. Two cans of the same color in different sheens can look like slightly different colors, so buy touch-up paint in the **same sheen** — and write it on the can. See [how to touch up interior paint](/guides/how-to-touch-up-interior-paint).