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First, consider the room and its uses as a whole. Whether or not the room is a high traffic area is a crucial consideration when choosing both the color and the type of finish that will best complement it. Certain types of finish are better for disguising flaws in existing walls and ceilings. Other types of finish are best for minimizing the appearance of dirt and scuffs that will inevitably occur.

A flat, no-shine finish, for example, can hide flaws very well, but should never be used in high traffic areas because it is difficult to clean and can scuff very easily. A high gloss paint is simple to clean, but will make existing flaws more noticeable. Many decorators limit the use of these finishes to areas where they can create the right contrasts and enhance certain features of the room, but for most areas use an eggshell, satin, or semi-lustre finish. These finishes do not draw attention to blemishes but are more easily cleaned than flat finishes.