Color gets most of the attention, but sheen, how shiny the paint is, has just as much effect on how a room looks and how it holds up. Many newer homes around Richmond and Katy come with flat builder paint that marks easily, which is why sheen is one of the first things we talk about.
Flat and matte finishes hide wall imperfections best and work well on ceilings and in low-traffic rooms like formal dining rooms. Eggshell has a soft glow and cleans better, which makes it a good default for living rooms and bedrooms.
Satin is more durable and easier to wipe, so it's a strong choice for hallways, kids' rooms, and bathrooms. Semi-gloss is the standard for trim, doors, and cabinets, where scuffs and fingerprints need to wipe right off.
The more shine a paint has, the more it shows flaws in the wall underneath. That's why prep, patching, sanding, and priming matter even more when you choose a higher sheen.