Should You Use Matt Or Silk Paint?
Matt hides a multitude of sins while silk shrugs off sticky fingers so we explain which finish belongs on which wall.
Written by Edward Bailey
Updated
The short answer
Matt paint is the better choice for most walls and ceilings because its flat finish hides bumps, filler repairs and uneven plaster. Silk emulsion has a gentle sheen that's tougher and easier to wipe clean, so it suits busy hallways and kitchens with smooth, well prepared walls. For first-time decorators or older, uneven walls, we recommend matt.
Pick the wrong sheen and a wall you spent a weekend on can end up showing every dent and roller line. The choice between matt and silk paint comes down to two things, how flat the wall is and how much wear it's going to get. Both have their place, so it pays to know what each finish does before you buy a tin.
Matt Paint Explained
Matt emulsion is a water-based paint that dries with no shine at all. Because it absorbs light rather than reflecting it, it softens the look of a wall and disguises the small lumps, hairline cracks and patched areas that a shinier finish would pick out. It goes on easily with a roller or a good quality paint brush and is forgiving if your technique isn't perfect.
Where Matt Works Best
Matt suits walls and ceilings in living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms, anywhere that doesn't see much knocking or scrubbing. It goes over plaster, plasterboard, lining paper and most paintable wallpapers, and the flat look is ideal for ceilings, where glare from a sheen shows up straight away.
What Matt Does Well
- Hides imperfections in the wall far better than any sheen finish
- Touch-ups blend in without leaving a shiny patch
- Gives a soft, warm look that suits living spaces and bedrooms
Where Matt Falls Short
- Standard matt marks easily and can polish or rub away if scrubbed
- Grubby fingerprints cling to the flat surface in hallways and around light switches
- Copes badly with condensation in kitchens and bathrooms
Durable and washable matt emulsions go some way to fixing the cleaning problem, and our pick of the best emulsion paints for walls includes options that stand up to wiping.
Silk Paint Explained
Silk emulsion is also water-based, but it dries with a mid-sheen that reflects some light. That sheen comes from a harder, smoother surface, which is why silk stands up to wear better and wipes clean more easily. The catch is that the sheen highlights everything underneath it, so silk needs a well prepared wall to look its best.
Where Silk Works Best
Silk is at home in hallways, stairwells, kitchens and children's rooms, where walls get brushed against and need wiping down. It's a wall and ceiling paint, so woodwork still takes satinwood, eggshell or gloss. In a bathroom with a lot of steam, a dedicated paint made for steamy bathrooms copes better than standard silk.
Why People Choose Silk
- Tougher surface that takes knocks and scuffs in busy areas
- Marks wipe off without lifting the paint
- Handles some moisture better than a standard matt
The Downsides Of Silk
- Lumps, dents and filler repairs show once the light hits the wall
- Brush and roller marks are easier to see, so an even coat takes more care
- Patch repairs stand out as shiny or dull areas
Matt Vs Silk Paint Room By Room
Here's how we'd choose between the two finishes for each part of the house:
| Room or Surface | Our Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Living room and bedrooms | Matt | Soft look that hides small flaws in the wall |
| Ceilings | Matt | No glare from overhead lights or windows |
| Hallways and stairs | Silk or durable matt | Walls get brushed and need wiping |
| Kitchen walls | Silk or kitchen paint | Wipes clean and copes with cooking steam |
| Bathrooms | Bathroom paint | Designed for heavy condensation |
| Uneven or patched walls | Matt | Silk shows every repair |
Which Finish We Recommend
For most people, matt is the safer choice. It's easier to apply evenly, needs less preparation to look good and forgives the odd lump or patched hole, which matters a lot in older homes where the walls are rarely perfectly flat.
Silk comes into its own where durability counts more than looks, so it's worth the extra prep in a busy hallway or a family kitchen. If the walls are already silk and you fancy a flatter look, our guide to painting matt over silk emulsion explains the sanding and priming that stops the new coat peeling. And for walls blighted by black spots, an anti-mould paint for damp rooms is a better bet than either finish.
Quick Questions And Answers
Is matt or silk paint better for a hallway?
Silk paint is better for a hallway if the walls are smooth, because its harder surface takes knocks and wipes clean easily. If the hallway walls are uneven or patched, a durable or washable matt is the better pick, as it gives you the wipeable finish without the sheen picking out every repair.
Can you use silk paint on a ceiling?
You can use silk paint on a ceiling, but we wouldn't recommend it in most rooms. The sheen catches the light from windows and ceiling fittings, which shows up roller marks and any unevenness in the plaster. Matt is the standard choice for ceilings because it hides those flaws and gives a clean, even look.
Does matt paint show marks more than silk?
Standard matt paint shows marks more than silk because its flat, slightly porous surface holds on to dirt and can polish if you scrub it. Silk's smoother surface lets marks wipe off. Durable matt emulsions close that gap, so they're a good middle ground for busy rooms where you still want a flat finish.
Can you paint silk emulsion over matt?
Yes, silk emulsion goes over matt without much trouble because the matt surface gives the new coat plenty to grip. Clean the wall, fill and sand any holes or cracks, then apply two coats. Take extra care with the filling, as silk shows up any repair that isn't sanded perfectly smooth.
Which finish is easier for a first-time decorator, matt or silk?
Matt, every time. It goes on evenly without much fuss and forgives the odd lump or patched hole, so less rides on your prep. Silk picks out brush and roller marks, and it only looks its best on a well prepared wall, which is a lot to get right on your first job.
Is there a matt paint that copes with scrubbing?
Yes, look for a durable or washable matt emulsion. Standard matt marks easily and can polish or rub away if scrubbed, and these tougher versions are made to cope with wiping. Our pick of the best emulsion paints for walls includes options that stand up to wiping. If the wall takes constant handling, silk is still the tougher surface.
Which finish suits older walls that have been patched?
Matt suits older, patched walls best. It absorbs light, so small lumps, hairline cracks and filler repairs disappear, and touch-ups blend in without leaving a shiny patch. Silk does the opposite. It highlights dents and shows patch repairs as shiny or dull areas once the light hits the wall.
Can you use silk paint in a bathroom?
Standard silk handles moisture better than standard matt, but it isn't the right paint for a steamy bathroom. A dedicated bathroom paint is designed for heavy condensation and copes better. Silk emulsion suits hallways, stairwells, kitchens and children's rooms, where walls get brushed against and need wiping down.
Eddie spent five years as a self-employed painter and decorator before going part time to become one of the main writers at DIY Works. From garden fences to mist coats on fresh plaster, painting and decorating is his speciality.