How to Use High-Gloss Paint at Home, According to Designers
What to know before you start a project with this high-maintenance paint finish.
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High-gloss paint is one finish that won't just blend into the background of a room—and that's a good thing. Anyone who has ever updated a room's paint color knows it's a much more detailed process than simply finding a shade you like and rolling it on the walls. While the hue is crucial, selecting the right finish for your paint is another decision that requires you to look at the big picture. Whether you're using it on an accent wall, bringing some drama to a small space like a bathroom, or looking for ways to brighten up a low-light sitting room, high-gloss paint is the glamorous (albeit finicky) solution that'll make a huge difference.
While the result can be breathtaking in an entire room or on smaller features like handrails or front doors, using high-gloss paint is not a quick or easy task. But, as long as you can prepare accordingly (or hire a pro!), the process should be smooth. In this guide to working with high-gloss paint, designers explain everything you need to know.
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It Creates an Elevated Appeal
High-gloss paint adds an extremely glamorous look to any room. Michael Italiano from Shoreline Painting explains, “High-gloss paint elevates any room, bringing forth an impressive aesthetic, a standout focal point, an air of sophistication, and a sense of meticulous effort.” Creating a glossy surface with this particular type of paint instantly stands out from the rest of the home.
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High-Gloss and Full-Gloss Paint Are the Same Thing
Though Google might tell you something different, many professional painters like Michael Italiano and Will Jo, president of Soho Painters, will argue that there aren't any real differences between high-gloss paint and full-gloss paint. “High-gloss and full-gloss paint are used interchangeably and are mostly naming conventions that different brands use (e.g., Benjamin Moore's high-gloss vs Farrow & Ball's full-gloss),” Jo says. “However, if there are differences, it's likely that full-gloss has a higher reflectance level than high-gloss paint.”
It Creates a Mirror Effect
High-gloss paint is known for being super shiny and reflective, giving it an almost mirror-like look—but only if it is expertly applied, according to Italiano. Most designers would consider it a specialty finish, as it creates such a brilliant sheen.
This landing, designed by Kati Curtis, has a polished look thanks to the high-gloss paint that reflects the light through the window.
It Pairs Well With Other Finishes
Another benefit is that high-gloss paints pair well with matte and semigloss finishes. You can use the same color in a different sheen for the majority of the wall, then add a high-gloss accent. Or, take note of this jaw-dropping playroom designed by Kati Curtis and stick to a tight two-color story with the walls in a show-stopping, high-gloss red paint and the ceiling covered in vinyl wallpaper.
It's Great for Accents
You don't have to paint over an entire room to enjoy the shine of a high-gloss finish—sometimes, choosing it for accents only makes the space so much more interesting. In this example from our 2023 Whole Home, the team at Colordrunk Designs painted the dining room ceiling in a high-gloss finish to make the room feel larger.
However, Italiano emphasizes that focusing on the smaller details, like handrails, can work as beautiful, glossy accents as well.
It's Super Durable
Accents that get a lot of traffic—like in hallways or family rooms—are great candidates for a few coats of high-gloss paint. As Italiano puts it: “High-gloss paint boasts unparalleled durability, making it the top choice in the market.”
Designer Brynn Olson used a glossy blue paint (Selvedge by Farrow & Ball) to add a layer of luxury to the guest suite in our 2022 Whole Home. No need to worry about your cousin's rowdy kids messing up your walls thanks to the durability of the high-gloss finish.
It's a Dream to Keep Clean
Because of the durability and texture of the high-gloss paint, it's easy to clean blemishes and scuffs when they happen. “This means it's suitable for high-traffic areas where scuffs can happen on walls,” Jo explains.
For example, in this deep-blue media room by designer Ellie Cullman and architect Douglas C. Wright, it would be easy to simply wipe away spilled soda on the walls from flinching at a scary movie without the fear of it leaving a lasting mark.
It's Great In High-Moisture Areas
High-gloss paints are good for high-moisture areas. “Because of the high sheen, it's suitable for high-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens,” Jo says.
Though Kati Curtis decided not to use the high-gloss paint inside of the primary bathroom in this Brookline, Massachusetts home, she used the finish just outside of it to combat the matte moodiness of Benjamin Moore's Dark Burgundy.
It Does Show Imperfections
One of the drawbacks to using high-gloss paint is that it's not forgiving when it comes to hiding imperfections on your walls. The amount of sheen in the finish only highlights if your painter forgot to buff out a spot or if there is a previously unnoticed bump in the wall.
If you choose a high-gloss paint to coat your tall ceilings, similar to this design by Kati Curtis, the imperfection may not be as noticeable. However, if you're spending a lot of your budget on achieving the high-gloss look, then you might as well have it done right.
The Preparation Process Is Not Easy
As beautiful as the glass-like effect of high-gloss paint is, it does not come easily. This isn't a paint you can slap on in a night or two—you'll likely want to hire professionals to come in for this project. “When you engage someone who doesn’t adequately prepare the surface or lacks the necessary skill, the end result can be disappointing,” Italiano says. “Proper preparation is key, including thorough surface treatment, such as multiple layers of skim coating, hours of sanding, priming, and painting.”
However, gorgeous rooms like this guest suite by Gray Space Interiors make the hard work worth the time and money spent.
Touch-Ups Are Difficult
Though high-gloss paint is super durable, it's not invincible. Sometimes, accidents happen and a scratch appears on your wall that you simply can't buff out. This is, unfortunately, not an easy fix according to Italiano. “In case of significant damage on the surface or substrate, it’s probable that the entire area will require repreparation and repainting,” he says.
So if something drastic were to happen to this beautiful periwinkle wall in the guest chambers by Brynn Olson, her team would have to go in and redo the whole thing.
Hadley Mendelsohn is the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House. When she's not busy writing about interiors, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, researching ghost stories, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again. Along with interior design, she writes about everything from travel to entertainment, beauty, social issues, relationships, fashion, food, and on very special occasions, witches, ghosts, and other Halloween haunts. Her work has also been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, Man Repeller, Matches Fashion, Byrdie, and more.
Meghan Shouse is House Beautiful's Assistant Editor, a role she has held since September 2023. On top of being the magazine's go-to Waco expert, Meghan also touches on quite a few other verticals in the digital space, like hot news content featuring your favorite HGTV stars, home design inspiration, and the latest interior TikTok trends. However, her favorite pieces are the ones that start conversations, such as stories about resale value and whether or not the Solo cup is chic. Before becoming a home writer, Meghan worked in the fashion industry for two years, writing for Harper's Bazaar after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in apparel merchandising. When she's not interviewing interior designers about home trends, you can find Meghan reading a fictional thriller with her cat in her lap, planning themed parties, or strolling through flea markets searching for chunky candle holders and vintage bookends.
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