Understated matt finishes in the home

Matt finishes are becoming increasingly popular in modern homes.

Not only are we seeing more matt furniture and lighting, but also matt surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom as well as tapware and accessories.

The matt finish allows one to really appreciate the form of an object and offers a more natural and genuine look that’s appealing to many because it works well in industrial styled homes and apartments with a warehouse feel.

We are seeing matt finishes on everything from kitchen cabinetry to pendant lights and table lamps and this trend is going to continue well into 2015.

Matt finishes in black, grey and pastel shades are big right now as we see glossy items taking a back seat to the more raw and organic look offered by matt finishes.

Paint that leaves a matt, non-reflective finish also adds another layer of texture as well as depth and sophistication to any room in the home.

Fast ways to add matt finishes to your home:

Incorporate matt finish pendant lights and table lamps with your current decor.
Rather than reaching for a high gloss ceramic pot for your indoor plant, opt for a pastel matt finished pot in block colours.
Choose matt photo frames, vases and other small home accessories to add a strong matt finish to your home’s interior styling.
For your next paint project consider a low shine, matt finish paint in a neutral grey for a stylish, on trend look.

Everything from kitchenware to bedroom decor is getting the matt treatment.

Work this look into your home gradually with small accents and compliment these with pillows, throws and floor rugs with similar colour palettes.

While high gloss isn’t completely forgotten it’s certainly time to step out of that stainless steel and chrome comfort zone and embrace some unexpected matt finishing touches in your home.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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24 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 30 Sep 2015
    8:17 am
Home decorating, over my head and completely out of my comfort zone. I have absolutely no taste in anything, not good taste anyway

- - mom70050 said
  - 17 Jun 2015
    10:27 am
Like most things think it all boils down to individual choice, just because it’s in with designers etc. doesn’t mean it has to be in with you. Mixing it up to get the full benefits of most things is what I’ve found works for me/us.Thanks for sharing.

- - mom113055 said
  - 10 Mar 2015
    10:30 pm
looks great

- - christial said
  - 20 Feb 2015
    10:17 pm
I like the matt finished look.. Especially in photos!

- - mom57522 said
  - 31 Jan 2015
    11:26 pm
High gloss is nice if you don’t need to clean grubby little handprints off it!

- - mom107723 said
  - 11 Jan 2015
    2:44 am
My hubby is a painter and uses mostly matt finishes, with a semi-gloss to do door trims etc, makes the room ‘pop’.

- - deb_gs said
  - 08 Jan 2015
    9:11 pm
We have matt (brushed silver) handles and knobs all through the house. Then one day we replaced a knob with a bright silver one by accident. It looked cheap and had to be re-replaced.

- - pakeko said
  - 04 Jan 2015
    9:03 pm
Love matt finishes would do them over gloss any day

- - mom93821 said
  - 02 Jan 2015
    8:08 am
Thanks for sharing this interesting article; matt is definitely easy to maintain.

- - june11 said
  - 01 Jan 2015
    1:28 pm
Matt finishes don’t show marks as much. When you wash marks off the washed area doesn’t stand out as much if you have a large area and aren’t able to wash it all at thew same time.
The paint also goes on much easier and doesnt’ show roller or brush marks as much.

- - stepmom107932 said
  - 30 Dec 2014
    4:14 pm
i personally love making large stripes on the wall in the same colour but one matt finish and one gloss finish. its amazing to me

- - mom102977 said
  - 01 Dec 2014
    12:22 am
Plus matt finish won’t show every single finger print…
- mom94125 replied
  
  11 Dec 2014 , 8:17 pm
  which is a great thing when you have kids!
- - cloverstorm said
  - 30 Nov 2014
    11:00 pm
Well it’s about time. I like the textures of a matt finish.
Although I will forever love polished floorboards.

- - christial said
  - 29 Nov 2014
    3:29 pm
I like matt finish more than stainless steel. It doesn’t leave fingerprints!

- - kyliebaby22 said
  - 25 Nov 2014
    10:27 pm
I must be on trend…. Just brought home matt grey paint to update some photo frames!

- - mel1 said
  - 24 Nov 2014
    2:00 pm
A refreshing, calming look. Great for a beach house.

- - mle00 said
  - 24 Nov 2014
    12:36 am
Oh really? I guess the shine must have worn off! (And for me personally I’m happy about this shift, I’m definitely a more of an understated kind if person!)

- - zenbart said
  - 23 Nov 2014
    11:40 pm
This is what I’ve been missing here in our house. Way back where I came from, the simple wooden floor and a matt finish painted wall with an old earthy-toned jars or (Banga) which we call it in the Philippines, were the features I used to see in our home. I like the simple yet creating an aura of peace and tranquility. So natural looking and yet sophisticated to anyone who got the eye for such designs. I really love the cleanliness look of it.

- - damish70 said
  - 23 Nov 2014
    9:58 pm
Matt finishes certainly give you that organic earthy look. Not sure if I like them.

- - taynik46 said
  - 23 Nov 2014
    9:55 pm
I love Matt finishes I think they are easier to clean and keep clean looking rather than chrome and Disney finishes. I also think Matt finishes work better with wood which is my favourite accessory