Satin vs. Matte Finish: What’s Right for My Interiors

Choosing a paint color is only half the decision when refreshing your space. The other half? Picking the right finish. The difference between satin and matte might feel subtle on a swatch, but once it’s on your walls, the finish shapes the entire mood of your interiors. Farrow & Ball paints are well-known for their rich pigments and velvety depth, which makes this choice even more important.

So, what is a matte finish, and when might satin be the better call? Let’s break it down.

Matte finish paint has little to no sheen, creating a soft and sophisticated look that feels timeless in New York interiors. With Farrow & Ball’s signature chalky matte, light diffuses beautifully across the surface, making colors look deep and rich.

Matte finishes are a favorite for living rooms, bedrooms, and other spaces where you want a calm, elegant atmosphere. They also excel at minimizing imperfections in walls and ceilings, perfect for pre-war apartments or townhomes with character-filled surfaces.

If matte feels quiet and understated, satin is its slightly more polished sibling. Satin finish paint offers a gentle sheen that reflects just enough light to make colors appear brighter and crisper. It’s also more durable and easier to clean, which makes it ideal for high-traffic spaces.

In kitchens, hallways, or bathrooms where scuffs, fingerprints, or splashes are common, satin can give you the style you want without the worry. With luxury options like Farrow & Ball, even their satin finishes maintain that complex depth of color, so you don’t have to sacrifice richness for practicality.

When weighing satin vs. matte finish, think about your lifestyle and the function of each room.

• For a soft, cozy feel: Matte is perfect in spaces designed for relaxation. Bedrooms, studies, and dining areas benefit from the intimacy and depth this finish creates.
• For durability and brightness: Satin offers a balance of elegance and resilience, making it perfect for kitchens, hallways, or anywhere daily wear and tear is likely.
• For highlighting architectural details: Satin finishes on trim, doors, and moldings create a subtle contrast against matte walls, bringing dimension to your design.

In many NYC apartments, the best results come from mixing both. A matte wall with satin trim, for example, adds visual interest while keeping the overall palette cohesive.

Farrow & Ball stands apart because of its highly pigmented paints, which respond beautifully to light at any time of day. Their Estate Emulsion is the iconic matte finish beloved by designers for its chalky texture, while Modern Emulsion provides a satin-like alternative with added durability for busy areas.

No matter which finish you choose, Farrow & Ball ensures color depth and character that transform even the most compact NYC spaces into something memorable.

The finish you choose is just as important as the color on your walls. Whether you’re drawn to the serene elegance of a matte finish or the subtle sheen of satin, both options can elevate your interiors when paired with Farrow & Ball’s unmatched palette.

At Janovic, our design experts can help you make the decision between satin and matte and select the best paint for your lifestyle and style preferences. Book a color consultation today to see paint swatches without the guesswork of lighting or color-matching your furniture. Deciding on a paint color can be difficult, so let us make that process a little easier.

We are located throughout the New York City area including, Manhattan, SoHo, Chelsea, Long Island City, Gramercy Park, Hell’s Kitchen, Lower East Side, Throggs Neck, The Bronx, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Uptown West, and Yorkville.