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.
To understand just how to use this tricky yet rewarding paint finish in interiors, we spoke to designers who have mastered all of the nuances and complexities that come along with high gloss paint. Here's how they use it for the best outcome.
How to Use High Gloss Paint
With its high reflectivity and lustrous shine, high gloss paint deserves full attention. Knowing how and where to use it in interiors can help you make the most of its unique visual appeal.
According to John B. Murray, founder of John B. Murray Architect LLC., it helps to consider the purpose of a room before deciding whether or not to use high gloss paint. For instance, John says that because of its reflectivity, high gloss paint might not be the best choice for relaxation zones within the house, like a cozy bedroom. 'But in a room where you're entertaining and you have beautiful light levels, it adds a level of glamour,' John explains of high gloss paint. That makes it an ideal choice for living rooms, dining rooms, entryways, and even kitchens.
Another factor to consider is how to use high gloss paint. Of course, it looks good as traditional wall paint, but high gloss can work wonders as an accent detail, too – perhaps as molding, as door paint, or even as cabinet paint. Let's look at some examples of its use in interior design, below.
1. Create a Back Drop for Maximalist Spaces
If you're interested in designing a luxury living room, high gloss paint is definitely the right paint for the job. Its reflective appeal is undeniably chic, and when used in a bold color, it commands attention.
Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball, explains that the brand's 'Full Gloss' finish on wainscoting and paneling creates a stylish reflective sheen, 'that can help bounce precious light around in otherwise gloomy spaces,' he explains. Just look at the room above as an example. Finished with Farrow & Ball's Vardo in full gloss, the room radiates a moody yet elegant vibe, and the glossy paint helps illuminate the room with its reflective sheen.
Since living rooms are typically considered the center of entertainment in a home, it makes sense to choose a lively paint color and finish to enhance the atmosphere of the space.
2. Make An Accent Door Shine
In case you haven't heard, accent doors are the new accent walls. They're a low risk, high reward way to add a level of style to a space, especially if you paint your door with a glossy finish.
In the entryway above, designed by the team at Elizabeth Krueger Designs, the high gloss-painted door acts as a statement feature that adds a level of luxury to the space. The color of the door tastefully complements other elements in the room, and its high gloss finish creates a glamorous, shining effect – especially as it picks up light from the opposing side of the room.
This apartment overlooks Lake Michigan in Chicago, and according to Erin Fischer, Director of Operations at Elizabeth Krueger Designs, 'the high gloss finish pulls the lake and horizon right through to the front door.' This example demonstrates high gloss paint's innate ability to reflect its surroundings, connecting any space to the environment in which it exists, while simultaneously stylizing the atmosphere around it.
3. Choose High Gloss For a Statement Small Kitchen
John B. Murray explains that high gloss is an incredibly durable paint finish – not only is it resistant to scuff marks and most scratches, but it's very easy to wipe clean. For these reasons, it makes sense to use high gloss paint as a kitchen cabinet idea.
In the green kitchen above, designed by John's architecture firm and partnering designers, both the upper and lower cabinets are finished in a glossy green paint, as well as the door frame and the crown molding. The rich green color grounds the kitchen, and its reflective finish picks up light. Together, these details create a dynamic space that feels luxe and sophisticated. Plus, the glossy coat on the cabinets makes the kitchen feel much larger than it is.
'That notion of reflectivity adds the depth,' John explains of the high gloss in this room. 'It's not quite like looking in the mirror, but as you're looking there, you see the space reflected, which is a very unique feature.'
4. Use High Gloss to 'Lift' a Ceiling
High gloss paint can make just as grand an effect on the ceiling as it can on any other surface in the home. According to John, a glossy ceiling has a way of 'lifting' a room. '[High gloss paint] sort of dematerializes the ceiling a bit, and in essence, I think it gives a lift,' he explains. It's a ceiling idea that can invite significant amount of visual interest to a space.
Just take the living room above as an example. Aside from the vibrant pink drapes, the space is refined and quietly elegant by design. However, the reflective sheen from the high gloss ceiling completely transforms the space – it's as if you're looking into a mirror. John quips that if you were to look at this room upside down, it would almost be the same.
The reflection on the ceiling creates a dynamic visual effect, transforming the room into one with movement and depth. It's a style choice that can be featured in any room, too – from large great rooms like the one above to small closets.
5. Color Drenched for A Luxuriously Dramatic Look
High gloss paint is already a striking feature, so when used to color-drench a room, it becomes that much more impactful. The room above is a prime example. With its deep red-drenched walls finished in a reflective sheen, this room feels like a cozy oasis with a sophisticated undertone.
According to the room's designer, Marie Flanigan, the high gloss finish does two things for this room: it heightens the sense of depth and atmosphere of the room, and it simultaneously keeps the room grounded and cozy. 'The family wanted a place to truly unwind – somewhere that felt a bit moodier and more masculine – so the deep burgundy took on a richness and clarity in high gloss that you simply don’t get with a flat finish,' Marie explains.
The room's pre-existing architecture certainly aids in establishing this rich, moody atmosphere as well, but the high gloss paint amplifies it. 'With the incredible bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, the natural light becomes part of the design, reflecting softly across the walls and shifting throughout the day,' Marie says. 'That interplay of light keeps the space from ever feeling heavy, even with such a saturated color.'
What Colors Work Best in a High Gloss Finish?
There are lots of colors that look good in a high gloss finish. Because this sheen is so reflective, it can be beneficial to lean into its expressive nature by choosing an equally bold color. For a dramatic look, opt for Little Greene's Adventurer in the brand's Intelligent Gloss finish. As a rich cross between deep purple and red, this shade can create a cocooning effect in interiors, and in a high gloss finish, it'll add a touch of luxury to any room. Farrow & Ball's Beverly can do the same. As a deep shade of green, this color can fill a room with earthy elegance, especially if selected in the brand's Full Gloss finish.
High gloss paint can be just as effective in brighter bold shades, too, like yellow or blue. Take the image above as an example. This ceiling, finished in a high gloss shade of blue, makes an impressive impact on the room itself. John B. Murray, the architect behind this project, explains that the blue ceiling mimics the effect of the sky, which is a charming touch to add in the foyer of a home.
Even muted shades like white, tan, or gray can work wonders in a high gloss finish. John says that he's used Farrow & Ball's Wimborne White in Full Gloss on the ceilings in his own apartment. As a muted neutral with a subtle hint of yellow, this shade can add character and subtle glamour to any room, especially when chosen in a high gloss finish.
Farrow & Ball's Citron is a vibrant shade of yellow that would look captivating in a high gloss finish. Its brightness and energy, when applied in a glossy finish, would be an uplifting choice for a kitchen or entryway.
If you want to lean into the drama that high gloss paint has to offer, opt for a high gloss paint in a bold color, like Little Greene's Baked Cherry. This sumptuous shade of red can add moody sophistication to any room, especially when used in a glossy finish.
Kakelugn is a best-selling Farrow & Ball pastel paint, and this soft, serene shade would work so well in high gloss, adding drama but still keeping things light and bright. Just imagine it as the ceiling paint in a dining room – it could make the space feel light, spacious, and endlessly elegant.
With its glistening, glossy, and reflective nature, high gloss paint has a way of transforming any room into one with character, dimension, and dramatic appeal. When done right, it's a paint trick that can instantly make any room look more expensive. That said, it's not the easiest paint finish to work with, and if done wrong, it can look messy, unattractive, and certainly not pleasing to the eye.
So, use high gloss paint thoughtfully and with intention. Trust me, its smooth and shiny outcome is certainly worth the effort.
