Matt, eggshell or satin? Slide the light across a wall and see

Two walls in the same colour can look completely different, depending on the finish. A matt wall hides flaws and feels soft; a gloss wall shows every dent and roller line.

Pick a finish, slide a light across a wall with a filled hole, a roller ridge and a crack, and see which flaws show. Then get a simple guide to which finish suits which room, and how to test paint before you commit.