Durable Paint Finishes for High-Traffic Areas

High-traffic spaces have a way of telling the truth about your paint choices. Hallways scuffs, kitchens endure steam and splashes, and living room walls get brushed up against far more than we ever plan for. In a city where apartments work hard every day, durability matters just as much as color. Between pets, guests, busy mornings, and late nights at home, your paint needs to keep up without showing every mark along the way.

The good news is that choosing a long-lasting finish does not mean compromising on style. Today, we are breaking down some of our favorite durable paint finishes for New York apartments and where they shine best, from walls that see constant movement to floors that need to stand up to daily wear while still looking polished.

As a water-based acrylic interior paint, this formula from Portola is one of our top recommendations for New Yorkers who want stunning color payoff that will stand up to high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. Refresh your apartment walls in just two coats of this slight sheen finish. Or, if you’re looking for something with a little more sheen (think trim), you might opt for the Low Sheen Acrylic formula. Both durable painting finishes dry in 45 minutes and boast a low-VOC formula, so you’ll notice the difference when you don’t have to spend your whole weekend waiting for the room to air out.

This ultra-high-gloss water-based finish is perfect for high-traffic areas without sacrificing great color. This luxurious paint boasts the highest shine and will withstand water, flaking, peeling, and fading for up to six years. It’s quick-drying and low-VOC formula makes it a solid choice for a weekend project in your New York flat. Keep it clean with a quick wipe down.

Pair this paint with one of the on-color trends we have our eyes on right now. For fans of neutrals, you can’t go wrong with creamy colors like Scallop No. 311 or New White No. 59—especially if you’ve had your eyes on the recently announced 2026 Pantone Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer.

Looking for something that’s perfect for modernizing your floors? The Modern Eggshell collection from Farrow & Ball is tough enough to withstand high-traffic spaces like kitchens without compromising on luster and color. Drench your floors in one of the Dark Tones undercoats for color that will really pop while creating the most durable hardwood floor finish. Scuff-resistant and stain-resistant, colors like Down Pipe No. 26, Railings No. 31, and Off-Black No. 57 make a lasting impression.

Whether you’re looking for the most durable wood floor finish or high gloss, on-trend color for your high-traffic walls, our design team is here to help make your apartment reflect you. For generations, we’ve worked with New Yorkers to bring their spaces to life and create a retreat within the busy city.

Schedule a free consultation today, and let’s work together to find the right colors and finishes for the place you call yours.

Our NYC paint stores are locally owned and operated, always happy to serve the New York City area, including Manhattan, SoHo, Chelsea, Long Island City, Gramercy Park, Hell’s Kitchen, Lower East Side, Throgs Neck, The Bronx, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Uptown West, and Yorkville.