Discover how you can use different paint sheens to make patterns on your wall using the same paint color. I love how I could use a mixture of flat/eggshell and semi-gloss paint to create a beautiful wall with a beautiful accent pattern.
Do you ever want to transform an ordinary blank space in your home into an eye-catching, one-of-a-kind feature wall? Wallpapers can be challenging, and if you do not have patience, removing existing wallpapers can be very time-consuming and frustrating. If you choose a professional mural for a pretty accent, it can be costly.

However, you can achieve a cost-effective but beautiful wall if you try painting stripes on walls or using stencils for your wall decor.

These are the best DIY tips and tricks of making your own personalized accent wall using paint and stencils.
In This Post
All About Painting with Different Sheen with Same Paint Color

When painting a wall, it is essential to pick a paint finish that impacts both the appearance and the final color of the paint. Compared to a satin or gloss sheen, paint color may appear lighter or darker with a flat sheen. If you want to know what makes a color stand out from the crowd, you should take a close look at how it appears.

If you try to have selected the wrong type of paint finish, you could end up spending twice as much money on a new paint job. So before doing patterned walls, it is essential to know paint finishes. I have listed below some samples of paint sheens you can use on your patterned wall project.

Flat
Unlike other finishes, flat paint contains more pigment, which is why it's often referred to as concealer or base paint. Surface defects are easily concealed and touched up with flat paint because of their low gloss and non-reflective finish.
Cleaning flat paint can be a challenge, so it is usually used for low-traffic areas, such as walls and ceilings in the interior of a building. You can also use it for adult bedrooms or anywhere where it will not be easily be damaged by children or destroyed by dirt.
Satin
Paint with a satin finish offers a velvety feel with a touch of gloss. Walls can also be painted with this type of paint. However, it is most commonly used for windows and doors, trim, and ceilings.
Unlike flat paint, satin is excellent to use in high traffic areas such as kids' bedrooms, family rooms, or bathrooms. Paint with a satin finish can be cleaned and scrubbed with ease. However, touch-ups will be visible with this finish because it does not conceal flaws in the surface or application.
Egg Shell
Flat but slightly glossy, eggshell is a paint sheen or gloss that appears and feels like a paint sheen or gloss. Eggshell falls somewhere in the middle between flat and satin in terms of shine.
In comparison to matte paints, eggshells reflect more light and have less of an effect on the overall appearance. There is more paint color showing through in a room with this sheen because it's lower luster than flat.
Unlike flat paint, you can use eggshell paint in high-traffic areas like kitchens, living rooms, baths, and children's rooms. However, if you compare it with Satin paint, it is a much better choice as it has high durability.
Semi-Glossy
If you are looking for your dark spaces to appear larger and airier, using semi-gloss paint will be perfect for you. Paints with a semi-gloss finish are less reflective than gloss paints
These paint sheens are popular in areas that require frequent scrubbing because of their stain resistance and ease of maintenance. It is best to use in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere where water, drippings, and grease stains are a problem.
Glossy
Here is a fact, Glossy paints are considered the highest durability of all paint sheens. Gloss paints are strong, long-lasting, and stain-proof. Just like semi-glossy paints, it is also are simpler to clean.
High-reflectivity paint, such as gloss, can draw attention to flaws in its coat surface. Gloss paint's high sheen makes it ideal for rooms with lots of natural light. When light reflects off of surfaces, it creates the illusion of depth and space.
Because it is so easy to clean, you can use it in high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Gloss paint has a different texture than matte paint, so wiping the surface will not remove or wear the paint.
These finishes require more prep work and sanding to achieve a smooth surface. It is not ideal to use when you need more touch-ups in painting, as repairs made with this finish will be more noticeable due to the gloss difference.
Matte
Just like flat paint, matte paint has a very low gloss. However, using matte has more shine.
Matte paint is ideal if you are looking for a paint finish that can effectively hide floss in your walls. Because these paints contain the most pigments, they provide the best coverage compared to flat paints, which are less pigmented.
Tips Before Using Stencils with Different Sheen
Pre-Testing Colors Prior to Painting
Testing different sheens on sample boards is an excellent way to get a tonal finish when stenciling. To try, using this clear wall adhesive vinyl on the wall in the area where you intend to stencil and illuminate them as needed. You can see what the wall looks like prior to painting it.

Add Paint Glitter Additives for Texture and Shine
Metallic flakes are also a good option if you want to add another color, aside from a different paint color or sheen for your patterned wall (these are the ones I recommend and use).



Suggested Sheens for Patterned Walls with Same Color
If you have kids, children, or pets, you should choose a more durable sheen, so I would recommend eggshell as the base with semi-glass as the patterned color.
If your home isn't subject to a lot of wear and tear, I would recommend using flat paint for the base with egg shell as the patterned color on top.

Curing Bleeds
To prevent paint bleeds, make sure you paint OVER the pattern first in the base color, allow it to cure, and then paint with the different sheen. This will prevent paint bleed. This also means you should buy a few stencils if you want to quicken the speed of this project.
Stencil Options
My favorite place to buy stencils is here because there are so many places that you can find them under $30! That's where we got our pattern.
If you want to save a little money and have a Cricut machine, you can always make your own stencils as well.

DIY Patterned Wall with Same Paint Color with Different Finish
Here are some close up images of the final product if you want to see what it looks like in our bathroom:









How to Paint Wall with Stencil with Same Paint, Different Sheen
DIY Same Paint Color with Different Sheen Wall Pattern

Learn how to paint a wall with the same color, but with different sheens to make a beautiful accent wall pattern. The semi-gloss paint will be used as the pattern with the paint additive.
Materials
- 1 Quarter of Eggshell Paint
- 1 Quart of Semi-Gloss Paint
- 1 package of paint additive glitter (optional)
- Wall Stencils (recommend getting multiple)
- Frog Tape
- Paper towels
Tools
- Paint Tray
- High-Density Roller
- Foam brush (6 inches)
Instructions
- Paint the base of the wall with egg shell paint with two coats. Allow to dry.
- Place your stencil in the wall. Use the frog tape to stick the stencil on the wall. Paint a layer of the base paint on top of the stencil. Allow to dry.
- Mix together semi-gloss paint with additive. Mix and shake well.
Paint over the base paint on the stencil with the semi-glass. Allow to dry and move to the next zone. - Repeat until complete.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Purdy 6.5 in. White Dove Jumbo Mini Paint Roller Kit
-
3" Purdy 144400330 XL Swan Paint Brush, Tynex Orel
-
FROGTAPE 1358463 Multi-Surface Painter's Tape with PAINTBLOCK, Medium Adhesion, 0.94" Wide x 60 Yards Long, Green
-
Hemway | Glitter Paint Additive for Emulsion / Acrylic Water Based Paints 100g (Mother of Pearl)
Frequently Asked Questions
There are various paints you can use for your stencil wall art. If you are doing it in an adult bedroom, you can use flat paint as it is easier to clean than other high-traffic areas such as the living room, family room, or bathroom.
If you are doing your patterned wall in a bathroom or any high-traffic areas in your home, it is best to use another paint sheen such as eggshell, gloss, or semi-gloss. You can also mix paint sheens, just like what I did in this blog tutorial of patterned walls with different sheens.
Summary
Using stencils to decorate a wall will create a patterned effect on the surface, and it will be a stunning piece of art for your home. If you want to achieve the best results, consider your paint finish's ultimate color and appearance before beginning any painting project on an interior wall. You can do it first on a sample board and see how it goes on your personal preference.
It is essential to be familiar with paint finishes before applying any design on walls as it plays a vital role in creating patterned walls. In this blog, I have discussed different types of paint sheen, and with it, you can create a stencil wall paint same color different sheen. I hope this blog helps you start this stunning wall art for your home.
Before Photos


Get Inspired with Other Paint Colors
Here are some of the paint colors we have used in our home that we have absolutely loved.
- Benjamin Moore Best Cream Paint Color
- Benjamin Moore Antique Pearl (Lavender Paint Color)
- Benjamin Moore White Dove
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl Paint Color
- Behr Ice Folly
- Sherwin Williams Quiver Tan
- Farrow and Ball Porphyry Pink
- Paint Different Sheen Pattern on Wall


Keesha
Love this look! Thanks for being so detailed in your method/suggestions. I want to do a white accent wall in my family room, using the same color different sheens. I prefer a matte finish for the base. I'll be using a simple stencil (like serenity trellis). What sheen would you recommend to go over the matte? Thanks in advance for your help and wisdom 🙂