How to Use Matte & Glossy Paint Stripes

Using different sheens is a good way to be subtle with stripes.


There are many ways to make a plain wall more interesting without the need for a lot of painting skill or wallpaper. Stripes provide a bold graphic impact that even a beginner can achieve, especially if you have painter's tape and a level to guide your lines. An appealing way to get the look of stripes without being overwhelming is to use two different sheens of paint, typically in the same color. One set of stripes is in a matte paint, while the other set is glossy, making the shine of the paint more important than a difference in color.

Matte and Glossy Paints

There are several sheens of paint, some of which are more glossy than others. Your needs and what the room you paint is used for helps you determine which kind you want to use. Flat paint has the lowest sheen and has the most dramatic contrast for your stripes. However, flat paint tends to be difficult to wash and isn't very durable. Eggshell, also known as satin, is a little glossier than flat paint and is more durable, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. Semi-gloss is a glossier paint and is easy to clean. Gloss paint has a bright shine and has the highest contrast with your flat sheen, though you may find that it's too glossy or has a "plastic" look.

Stripe Direction

The direction that you choose for the stripes has a subtle, yet important impact on the overall look of your room. Diagonal stripes add energy and a feeling of motion, but can be overwhelming and are more difficult to paint than horizontal or vertical stripes. This is an appropriate technique for an accent wall, however. Horizontal stripes tend to make a room look wider, which is good for a small room. Vertical stripes are typically a safe, neutral look and work well with this technique, as the variation in sheen tends to resemble wallpaper. Vertical stripes also tend to make a room seem taller.


When painting a room with matte and glossy stripes, the sheen is the important aspect of the look. Usually, you should choose two sheens that are the same color, though you can get nice results with two different colors. More than two is likely to be overwhelming. If you use two sheens of the same color, it's best to use the same brand of paint, since using different paints can lead to slight variations in color, which may be undesirable. In addition, different brands can have varying levels of sheen, so one brand's semigloss may resemble another's eggshell. You can be sure that you have the right sheen levels by using the same paint brand.

Painting Stripes

Preparing the wall before painting is important with this method. Your wall must be as smooth as possible with all cracks filled and bumps sanded smooth. Matte paints tend to hide flaws well, but glossy paints highlight imperfections. Problems, particularly bumps, show easily along the edges of your stripes as a distortion. You can potentially use either type of paint as the first coat, but matte paints typically need fewer coats to cover, making using the matte paint first more desirable. Painter's tape is essential to getting a straight edge, though you can freehand the stripes with this method for a rougher style. A level is an important tool for ensuring that your stripes stay even throughout.

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