The Secret to Choosing Paint for High-Traffic Areas

High-traffic areas in your home—like hallways, kitchens, stairwells, and entryways—take a daily beating. Scuffs, fingerprints, stains, and bumps are all part of the normal wear and tear. That’s why choosing the right paint isn’t just about colour—it’s about durability, washability, and long-term performance.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to choose the best high-traffic area paint, what types of finishes hold up best, and pro tips for keeping those walls looking fresh year after year.

Which Are The High-Traffic Areas Of Your Home?

High-traffic zones are parts of the house that get the most use and contact. This includes:

• Hallways – Constant foot traffic, bags brushing walls, kids running by.

• Kitchens – Steam, oil splashes, and frequent cleaning.

• Stairwells – Hands on walls, shoes scraping surfaces.

• Utility rooms and mudrooms – Dirt, moisture, and hard knocks.

• Children’s rooms – Play, drawing, climbing, and the odd crayon masterpiece.

In these areas, not just any paint will do—you need a finish that can handle cleaning without losing color or shine. Let's now examine the types of finishes that are best suited for the high-traffic areas of your home.

Best Paint Finishes for High-Traffic Areas

The finish (or sheen level) plays a massive role in how paint performs.

1. Eggshell Finish

• Slightly velvety with low shine.

• More durable than matte, but still soft-looking.

• Easy to clean, but not ideal for very messy spaces.

Best for: Living rooms, stairwells, moderate-traffic areas.

2. Satin Finish

• Slightly shinier than an eggshell, and easier to wipe down.

• Great balance between appearance and durability.

• Hides minor imperfections while staying washable.

Best for: Hallways, kitchens, children’s rooms.

3. Semi-Gloss Finish

• Reflective and super-durable.

• Resistant to moisture, grease, and frequent scrubbing.

• Shows wall imperfections more than matte or satin.

Best for: Kitchens, utility rooms, door frames, and skirting boards.

4. Specialty Scrubbable Paints

Many brands offer durable or washable interior paints designed for tough areas:

• Dulux Easycare

• Fleetwood Washable Matt

• Johnstone’s Kitchen & Bathroom range

• Crown Clean Extreme

These are usually available in a matte or eggshell finish but with added durability and stain resistance.

Choosing the Right Paint for Each Room

High-traffic areas of your home like hallways, kitchens, staircases, etc. require extra durability. Discover how to pick paints that will withstand wear and tear while still looking great.

Hallways and Corridors

Challenge: Constant foot traffic, backpacks, muddy boots, fingerprints.

Solution: Use a satin or washable matt finish. Go for a colour that hides dirt—mid-tones work better than white or dark tones. Durable paint for hallways with scuff resistance is ideal.

Popular Choices:

Dulux Easycare Washable Matt

Crown Clean Extreme Durable Matt

Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion

Kitchens

Challenge: Grease splatters, steam, cooking fumes, frequent cleaning.

Solution: Choose a semi-gloss or scrubbable satin finish for your kitchen wall paint. Paints specifically labelled “Kitchen” or “Kitchen & Bathroom” will resist moisture and stains better.

Popular Choices:

Johnstone’s Kitchen & Bathroom Paint

Fleetwood Kitchen Emulsion

Dulux Easycare Kitchen

Pro Tip: Use a darker or mid-tone colour behind the hob or counters—it hides splashes better than bright white.

Stairways and Landings

Challenge: Shoes hitting the wall, handprints, toys, and prams banging into surfaces.

Solution: Durable eggshell or satin finish. Avoid anything too glossy unless it’s wood trim or bannisters.

Pro Tip: Consider painting a contrasting darker colour on the bottom half of the wall or using a

panelled effect to disguise scuff zones.

Tips to Keep High-Traffic Walls Looking Good

Here are some bonus tips on how you can maintain the high-traffic of your home so that you have that new and fresh look on your walls for years to come.

• Use corner protectors or dado rails where knocks are common.

• Touch up regularly with leftover paint—store some in a labeled jar.

• Use a magic eraser or damp sponge for light scuffs.

• Paint doors and skirting in gloss or satin for contrast and added durability.

• Avoid flat matte in these areas—it marks too easily and doesn’t clean well.

  
  

The Final Thoughts

Choosing paint for high-traffic areas isn’t just about colour—it’s about performance. The right finish and product can save you time, money, and frustration by standing up to the mess and wear of everyday life. Whether it’s a splash-prone kitchen or a scuff-heavy hallway, durable paint can keep your home looking fresh, clean, and stylish for longer.

Need help choosing or applying the right paint? At Painter Adam, we know what works best for different homes—especially when it comes to tough, hardworking surfaces. You can also get a free estimate for your project with our instant calculator. Contact us today for advice or a quote on high-traffic area painting.