Soft Sheen Emulsion
Soft sheen emulsion is a popular alternative to matt emulsion, offering a subtle, low-sheen finish with added durability. This wipeable finish for interior walls and ceilings works well in high-traffic areas like living areas, bedrooms, hallways and studies.
At The Paint Shed, we supply trade-grade soft-sheen emulsions from leading paint manufacturers, including Dulux Trade, Johnstone's Trade, and Armstead Trade
Get the job done right with soft-sheen emulsion paint from The Paint Shed. Order online today and enjoy free standard UK mainland delivery on orders over £50*.
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What is Soft Sheen Emulsion Paint?
Soft sheen emulsion is a water-based, low-VOC interior paint with a low- to mid-level sheen (typically around 15–25%) that sits between a flat matt and silk finish. This emulsion dries to a tough, wipeable finish that resists scuffs, marks and fingerprints, with most products touch-dry in 1–2 hours and recoatable in 2–4 hours.
This makes the soft sheen finish a strong all-rounder for high-traffic interiors, including:
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Hallways and staircases
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Kitchens and family living spaces
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Children's bedrooms and playrooms
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Commercial offices, retail spaces and hospitality interiors
Because the slight sheen catches the light, soft sheen paint works best on well-prepared, even surfaces. For consistently damp or condensation-prone rooms like bathrooms, opt for a specialist bathroom paint with built-in mould resistance instead.
Our Soft Sheen Emulsion Paint Range
Explore our range of soft sheen emulsions to find the right solution for your project.
Dulux Trade Vinyl Soft Sheen Emulsion
Dulux Trade Vinyl Soft Sheen delivers a smooth application, even on surfaces that aren’t perfectly prepared. A single litre covers up to 16 m², while the 2–4 hour recoat time allows you to finish a two-coat job within a day.
Drying to a tough, washable finish, this paint is a strong pick for residential refurbishment projects, hospitality interiors and commercial contracts where the finish needs to look its best. Dulux Trade Vinyl Soft Sheen is available in 5L Pure Brilliant White, 5L Magnolia and 5L tinted colour-match options.
Johnstone's Trade Vinyl Soft Sheen
Johnstone's Trade Vinyl Soft Sheen is available in 10L tins, making it the natural choice for bigger jobs where colour consistency matters across multiple rooms. This paint offers coverage of around 12–13 m² per litre and is recoatable in 3–4 hours.
It works well across a wide range of surfaces, from fresh plaster and plasterboard to brickwork, render and textured wall coverings. This option is a reliable all-rounder for trade refurbishments and for family kitchens or bathrooms where a wipeable wall makes life easier. It’s available in 5L and 10L Brilliant White, 5L Magnolia, and 5L and 10L tinted colour-match tins (10L tins only available in-store).
Armstead Trade Vinyl Soft Sheen
Armstead Trade is the more cost-effective sister brand to Dulux Trade, providing the same reliable performance at a lower price. This paint offers similar coverage (~14 m² per litre) and the same 2–4 hour recoat time. Armstead Trade Vinyl Soft Sheen is formulated for high opacity, meaning it hides existing colours cleanly and consistently, even on larger surfaces.
Apply by brush, roller or spray, and avoid painting below 8°C. If you’re painting on very absorbent walls, thin the first coat to help it soak in and act as a primer before the finishing coats. Armstead Trade Vinyl Soft Sheen is available in 5L Brilliant White, 5L Magnolia and 5L tinted colour-match options.
Not sure which paint is best-suited to your job? Use our product finder tool or contact us for product-specific advice.
FAQs
The main difference between soft sheen and silk emulsion is the level of sheen.Â
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Soft sheen has a low-to-mid sheen (~15–25%), giving walls a subtle, soft glow. It is generally chosen for hallways, kitchens and family living spaces because it offers wipeability without highlighting wall imperfections.
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Silk emulsion has a higher sheen (~30%+), producing a smoother, more reflective finish. It reflects more light, scrubs easier, and is traditionally used in bathrooms, kitchens and other high-traffic areas.
Modern bathroom-formulated soft sheens with built-in mould resistance often perform better than standard silk emulsions in genuinely damp rooms.
For most projects, two full coats deliver the most consistent coverage and colour. On previously painted walls in good condition with a similar shade, one coat may be sufficient. Significant colour changes, particularly going from a dark to a light shade, usually require an additional coat and a primer or undercoat for best results.
Yes, soft sheen is a popular choice for kitchens and family bathrooms thanks to its wipeable, scuff-resistant finish. It handles cooking splashes, steam and the occasional wipe-down well. For shower rooms, en-suites or any space prone to persistent condensation or mould, use a specialist anti-mould product like Dulux Trade Mouldshield Fungicidal Eggshell for added protection.
Still have questions? Contact our friendly team or explore our helpful tips and advice.
Shop Soft Sheen Emulsion Paint at The Paint Shed
The Paint Shed is the UK’s most recommended independent paint retailer, with 24 stores across Scotland and Northern England. We aim to make it easier, quicker, fairer and simpler to buy trade-quality paint at competitive prices.Â
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Carefully packaged orders shipped across the UK*
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A vast range of products from leading paint brands
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In-store colour-matching services
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Quality tools and accessories to get the job done right