The High Gloss Paint Trend Delivers the Look of Luxury, but It Comes with a Catch – Here’s How Designers Keep This Tricky Finish Looking Timeless Over Tacky

A kitchen with cabinets painted with high gloss blue paint, white countertops, a white backsplash, and two barstools in a sage green color.

No one can deny the appeal of a high-gloss paint finish. With its reflective and lustrous sheen, it's eye-catching, statement-making, and undeniably luxe – a bold finish with guaranteed visual impact.

Although high gloss paint seems to be a reflection (pun intended) of current design trends and the collective desire for unique, personality-driven interiors, it's not the most obvious or easiest paint finish to choose. Dramatic looks aside, this finish is rather difficult to work with, too. It requires an arduous application process, and one small hiccup in its glaze can ruin its entire effect. That said, 2026 is the year to take risks with design, and if applied right, in the right space, a high-gloss finish is one of the most stylish statements you can make.