Paint Color and Sheen 101

by Diane Henkler on January 19th, 2012

No note taking required for this class and there won’t be a test at the end either—just some color and sheen basics that will boost your paint buying confidence.

Most of us take color for granted. The millions of paint hues, tints, and shades that we see each and every day affect us without us even knowing it. We appreciate it before we even judge it, like smell. It can change our mood, conjure up memories, make our appetites increase, and even heal us. Color has power!

Do you know the difference between a color and a hue? Most people (even the pros) scratch their heads when asked this question. The word “color” is a general term. It refers to all the variations we see, even white or gray.

Every individual color on the basic color wheel can be altered in three ways: by tinting, shading, or toning. And that’s before you mix two or more colors to create a new color.

HUES
These are the purest and brightest colors. They form the full spectrum of colors which progress around the basic color wheel in gradual increments. These colors are bold.

TINTS

A tint is sometimes called a pastel. It’s simply any color with white added.

A color scheme using tints is soft and soothing.

SHADES

A shade is simply any color with black added. Shades are deep and powerful. They look more masculine and work well when used as accents.

TONES

Refer to colors’ intensity. It is created by adding both white and black. Any color that is “grayed down” is considered a tone. They work well in most interiors and color schemes as they are very pleasing to the eye.

The Color Wheel

Personally I do not use the color wheel. To me it feels too calculated; a set formula that only lets colors be mixed in a given way to be correct. There are infinite possibilities of color choice in interior design and thinking you have to stay within one scheme—monochromatic, harmonious, etc.—is too limiting. Almost anything goes in today’s interiors as long as you love it and it feels right to you.

With that said, the color wheel is still an invaluable tool that teaches how hues relate to each other and how they can be combined to create harmonious or contrasting effects.

So without putting you to sleep, I will give you the basics of how a color wheel works. Fine artists who mix their paints and textile designers who mix colors to create patterns when designing fabrics rely heavily on the color wheel. As homeowners we are not mixing our own paints, just trying to figure out what color works with another to create a pleasing decorating color scheme. Nowadays we work our color scheme from a swatch of fabric, a favorite piece of art, or nature. Plus paint manufacturers have pamphlets and brochures for every color to showcase which colors go with each other to help you make the best color choices possible.

Color Wheel Basics

There are three primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—that make up all the other colors in the world. It is how you mix these three colors that you come up with secondary colors. Think back to elementary school. Yellow and blue make green. Blue and red make purple. Mix a primary with a secondary color that is next to it on the color wheel and you get tertiary colors: purple, green, and orange. Mix more and more colors together and the possibilities are endless.

This is a very basic color wheel to demonstrate how different color schemes can be created.

1. Monochromatic colors are the most basic in decorating. Monochromatic schemes use only one main color, with all other tints, tones, or shades of that color staying within the same column on the wheel.

2. Complementary colors are on opposite ends of the color wheel. When paired together they add interest and energy to a room.

3. Harmonious colors are neighbors on the color wheel. The colors flow into each other to create a very pleasing scheme.

4. Triad colors will add contrast to a room when used together.

If you spread out a paint company’s fan deck you have created a color wheel of the paint colors they offer. Most paint chip strips have the hue in the middle of the strip. The shade is at the bottom and the tints of each color are at the top. The tones can fall anywhere in between. It is not a pure color wheel, but it can help you see how the primary colors of red, blue and yellow form a triangle in the wheel. Every color between them is a mix of those colors.

Which Paint Sheen Should You Use?

Paint color sheen is how shiny paint will look when it is dry. It also affects the paint’s scrubability factor. Modern paints have improved immeasurably from the past and even flat paint can be cleaned now, but as a rule of thumb the shiner the paint the more surface imperfections will show up and the more scrubable the paint will be.

Most of us know the difference between flat and high gloss formulas; it is the sheens in between that can get confusing. The level of sheen in paint can influence the results just as much as the colors of the paint itself, so it is wise to determine what will work best for your project before you buy.

Every paint store will have a sheen chart available for you to look at. If you have a paint fan deck a sheen strip will be included so you can get a better idea of what the end product will look like.

Each paint company may call their formulas different names: Flat/Matte, Satin/Low-luster, etc. If you are using a new brand, always consult their sheen chart before buying so you know exactly what you are getting.

Flat – Has no shine at all and looks smooth and a bit powdery. It is best used for hiding surface imperfections. Mostly used on walls, ceilings, and low-traffic areas.

Eggshell – Smooth finish with an overall low sheen. Can take moisture and is made to take some abuse. It is scrubbable and easy to wipe clean. Perfect for walls.

Satin – Has sheen but is not glossy. It is easy to clean and good for woodwork, cabinets, and almost any room.

Semi Gloss – Shiny and reflective of light. Imperfections on the surface will show up. Best used for trim as well as kitchen and bath cabinets. Very easy to wipe clean.

High Gloss – Very shiny and highly reflective. It is extremely durable and provides the highest level of scrubbability. Best used for doors, trim, decorative molding, and cabinets.

Personally, I use flat for ceilings, eggshell for the walls, and semi gloss for my cabinets, molding, and trim. The only thing I have ever used high gloss on is my exterior front door. It takes a beating from the weather and the shine adds to the curb appeal of the house.

You get an A+

Class dismissed!

Categories: Color, Planning Your Project

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