Can You Mix Satin and Eggshell Paint? And Why Will You Want To?

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Painting your house can be exciting yet challenging. Different sheen levels of paint can yield a completely different look to a newly painted room. Many do-it-yourselfers ask if it’s possible to mix paint varieties. Let’s answer the question as to whether it’s possible to mix satin and eggshell paints, and see why a homeowner may want to do so.

Yes, you can mix satin and eggshell paint together. The sheens of these two paint varieties are close enough to each other that they will mix well. Paint sheens from shiniest to flattest are high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, and flat. Any two sheen types that are next to each other can be mixed.

Keep reading to learn more about how Satin and Eggshell paint varieties differ and how and why mixing similar paint varieties can lead to beautiful and unique results in your home.

What Are the Different Sheen Levels of Paint?

The different sheen levels of paint refer to how glossy or shiny paint will look on a wall once dried. Paint may look shiny as though covered with enamel or plain like natural pigmentation. In between these two extremes are different levels of sheen.

The different sheen levels of paint are:

  • High Gloss
  • Semi-Gloss
  • Satin
  • Eggshell
  • Flat

High Gloss is the shiniest and most reflective type of paint. It tends to look as though it has a layer of clear coat or enamel of it, is very reflective, and is often more durable than lower sheen paints.

Semi-Gloss is a high-shine paint variety that results in a sleek yet vibrant appearance. It tends to stand up well to moisture and frequent human traffic.

Satin is a moderately shiny paint finish that results in a softer yet noticeable glow. It is reasonably durable and cleans up fairly well.

Eggshell paint has a very gentle, subtle shine to it, which resembles the very faint gloss of an eggshell. It is more delicate than the above-mentioned paints and can be a bit harder to clean.

Flat paint has no shine or sheen to it and looks the most like a natural pigment. It has a flat, deep, earthy appearance and can be the most delicate paint variety in terms of holding up to stains and human usage.

Any paint varieties that are next to each other in sheen can be mixed and will yield a sheen level somewhere in between the two original paints.

Can I Mix High-Gloss and Flat Paint?

Attempting to mix paints that are further apart in gloss can yield inconsistent or unattractive results once you try to apply them. The chemical composition of too-differing paint sheens can be too unlike to blend well, and the results will look odd and blotchy once dried.

It’s much safer to simply mix two paints of neighboring gloss, or simply use a single paint gloss level in between a high gloss and flat.

Why Are Some Paints Shiner Than Others?

It all comes down to aesthetics and durability. Depending on how glossy or reflective you want a room to look, there’s a sheen level that can work for you.

Some homeowners simply like more muted paint jobs, whereas others feel that high-gloss paint makes the room look more beautiful, or fancy. Others value higher gloss paint for its protective qualities, and toughness.

The level of gloss you use just depends on how reflective and polished you would like the room to look, and how much protection your paint job may need. Different gloss levels allow for home painters to experiment with different looks, and find a gloss level that works for them.

Satin and eggshell are two gloss levels in between flat and glossy which can work for folks seeking both shine and subtlety.

What Happens When You Mix Satin and Eggshell Paints?

Mixing satin and eggshell paints will give you a finish that is gently shiny, with a noticeable yet subtle glow.

Paint should be very well mixed for the best effects, and should be from the same company, to ensure the most consistent gloss across the entirety of your paint job. Otherwise, you can wind up with weird and noticeable differences in sheen levels across the same wall or surface, and you’ll have to repaint.

Your mixed satin-and-eggshell paint finish will not have the high sheen of the glossier paint varieties but will be a bit shinier than the more neutral-looking finishes. It’ll have a modest yet visible gleam, and will shine a bit more or less depending on the ratios of satin-to-eggshell that you use.

A higher ratio of satin will give you a more noticeable gloss, whereas a higher ratio of eggshell will give you a more muted look. Your mixed satin and eggshell paint should be easy to apply, and if mixed well, will be even-looking with a consistent sheen once dried.

Mechanical mixing with a professional paint mixer is the best way to combine these two paint sheens for maximum consistency and beauty once applied. Make sure you’re using absolutely the same color and brand as well, for a streamlined and perfect look.

Why Would I Want to Mix Satin and Eggshell Paint?

So why would you want to do this in the first place? What benefit does mixing paint gloss levels have?

If you’re looking for a shine level in your home that is subtle yet bright and cheerful, mixing satin and eggshell paint varieties can yield a very pleasing and precise result. You can experiment with ratios until you find a sheen level that works best in your home, or in the room you’re painting. This allows you a bit more freedom and lets you get a sheen level exactly where you’d like it.

Another reason for mixing satin and eggshell paint is greater durability and ease of cleaning. Eggshell paint by itself is charming and subtle, but it can get dirty quickly and tends to absorb oil, grease, and grime easier than higher gloss paints. Mixing it with satin can give a bit more enamel-like protection to your paint while keeping glossiness moderate.

You may also want to mix these two paint varieties in high-traffic areas like entry ways or laundry rooms. You’ll have a lot of people coming and going from these rooms, and a satin mix can help your walls stand up to frequent touching, light bumps, and rougher use.

Where Do Different Sheen Levels Work Best?

Now that you’ve understood why mixing two different paint glosses may work for you, let’s look at where they would work best.

The highest gloss paint varieties can be used to make walls or trim really pop or stand out, and can be used on kitchen cabinets, doors, and banisters to protect against grime, oil, moisture, and wear. High-gloss paint also looks great on floors and can add a layer of valuable protection to a wood floor or a deck.

Satin and eggshell glosses tend to look best in rooms with a lot of natural light that need a little less protection. If you’re looking for a light or subtle shine, satin and eggshell varieties will work well here. Bedrooms, dining rooms, studies, and home offices would be great choices for these finishes, and they can work in bathrooms as well.

Flat sheens can be used in areas with very low traffic, and are also great at covering up blemishes and bumps in the wall. If you want your room to have a deeper, more somber look with no reflectivity, choose flat paint.

Where Would a Satin and Eggshell Paint Mix Work Best?

Any room where you need a bit of brightness and a gentle glow would benefit from a mixed satin and eggshell paint finish. In addition, any room that needs a bit of extra protection from dirt, oil, rough handling, or moisture would be a great place to add a satin and eggshell mix.

For this reason, a satin and eggshell mix would work very well in a bathroom, as the satin component of the paint can provide an extra layer of protection against mold and mildew damage. Your bathroom has a lot of water use, and evaporating water and hot steam can endanger paint and walls.

A satin and eggshell mix can work wonders here, or in any other room where an added layer of protection is needed, without the highest gloss levels. Using a satin and eggshell mix can help accentuate a room’s color while prolonging the life of your paint job and making clean-up easier.

Conclusion

Mixing satin and eggshell paint will yield a lightly reflective and slightly shiny paint finish that is both beautiful and durable. In fact, mixing any two paint glosses that are next to one another in sheen level will yield a workable paint that is somewhere in between the two original paint’s levels of shine and durability.

Mixing different ratios of satin and eggshell will give you more or less sheen, as well as more or less durability, with satin being slightly glossier and slightly more stain-and-wear-resistant than eggshell.

Mixing these two paint varieties can add beauty and protection to any room, and this combination will work especially well in well-lit rooms with moderate traffic. It can also work well in bathrooms or rooms needing more shielding from water or dirt. Feel free to try this combination in bedrooms, dining rooms, and studies for a warm yet brightening effect.

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