I asked 6 interior designers and stylists what paint finish is their go-to for walls and ceilings – they all agreed these are the best

Unless you’re a paint expert or a hardcore DIY and home decorating enthusiast, all the different paint finishes and their meanings or what they will end up looking like on your walls can get a little lost in translation. That’s why I asked 6 interior designers and stylists - in other words, the pros that have to pick out paint day in and day out - what paint finish is best for walls and ceilings in their opinion and what their go-tos are.

While the best paint ideas, including the perfect paint finish, will largely depend on the particular room you’re looking to paint, the experts have spoken and almost unanimously agreed on the same best paint finish for walls – and it’s perfectly in line with the current paint trends, too.

When it comes to ceilings, there’s a little bit more variety in their favourites. But that is to be expected as it will largely depend on the shade you’d paint the ‘fifth wall’ - as the ceiling is often referred to - and whether you’re sticking to the same colour as the walls in the name of the colour drenching technique - when you cover or 'drench' all the surfaces in a room in the same colour - or going for something more contrasting.

What’s the best paint finish for walls?

Unlike the ideal paint finish your kitchen walls should be, for the majority of your home, most interior designers and stylists recommend a matt finish instead and reach for it the most themselves when deciding on wall paint for their homes and work projects.

‘My go-to paint finish for walls and ceilings is always matt,’ says Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Design Studio. ‘Traditionally, finishes with a slight sheen were used for durability, but modern formulations have come a long way. There are now some incredible matt ‘modern’ and ‘intelligent’ finishes that offer both durability and a beautifully soft, chalky look. It’s more liveable, understated and provides the perfect backdrop for a scheme, allowing the details of a space to truly shine.’

Laurie Davidson, interior stylist at Stylemakers, agrees but admits that either a satin or eggshell finish is better for busier areas or ones with condensation such as hallways, bathrooms and kitchens, ‘I prefer a matt look where possible, but in a busy family hallway, for example, a satin finish can help to disguise those knocks and scrapes a bit better. I love texture, so for me, a matt, chalky finish is my go-to and I love clay paint, too.'

What’s the best paint finish for ceilings?

If you’re trying to figure out what paint finish to put on your ceiling, the first thing this will depend on is the colour. For a colour-drenched look, just stick with the same paint (and paint finish) as on the wall.

But if you’re going for a dark, dramatic ceiling to make a statement and draw the eye upwards (as is the current home decor trend), Enass Mahmoud, founder of Studio Enass, recommends opting for a gloss finish.

‘When it comes to painting ceilings, I tend to use a gloss finish, especially for darker tones, this is because it reflects beautifully against ceiling lights and gives a more luxurious feel to it,’ she explains.

At the end of the day, there is always room for creativity and experimentation. And what paint finish will work for your home largely depends on the specific room you’re making over and what shades you’re going for, as already mentioned. What is your go-to paint finish? And have these recommendations surprised you?