High Gloss, High Drama: Is The Sheen-Obsessed Design Trend Already Peaking?
From powder room jewel boxes to reflective black stairwells, the high gloss paint trend has flooded design media, social platforms, and boutique showrooms with undeniable force. Lacquered walls, glimmering cabinetry, and ultra-glossy doors have become visual shorthand for luxury—especially when paired with premium lines like Fine Paints of Europe (FPE).
But what if the shine is starting to dull? What if the aesthetic that once felt fresh, maximalist, and indulgent is inching toward oversaturation?
While high gloss absolutely has architectural and practical value, its current cultural moment may be less about craftsmanship and more about the performance of luxury.
Let’s explore the rise, the risks, and what happens when a trend demands more than most are prepared to deliver.
A Beautiful Surface, But Not a Surface-Level Process
High gloss, particularly when achieved with products like FPE’s Hollandlac Brilliant, is visually stunning. The finish enhances color depth, adds light-reflective drama, and can elevate even the simplest door or cabinet into a sculptural object. But there’s a catch:
It’s not a paint job…
It’s a production.
Achieving a flawless high gloss finish requires:
Meticulous surface prep (automotive-level sanding and filling)
A dust-and climate-controlled environment
Multiple coats of primer, with sanding between each
Highly skilled spraying or brushing, with absolute precision
Without these conditions, the finish doesn’t flatter, it reveals. Every flaw, ripple, or inconsistency is magnified under a gloss finish. And unfortunately, as demand has increased, so have the number of companies attempting high gloss without the tools, training, or conditions to do it right.
When shortcuts are taken, the result isn’t high-end. It’s harsh, streaky, or downright unstable.
The Instagram Effect: When Technique Becomes Trend
The high gloss craze—like many recent design obsessions—has been fueled in part by social media. Instagram and TikTok reels love a transformation, and few finishes photograph quite like gloss. Content creators, boutique painters, and designers have helped popularize FPE’s high-sheen offerings through dramatic videos and curated reveals.
But the visual story isn’t always the full story.
Often, the posts that go viral rely on:
Edited footage with boosted contrast
Carefully staged lighting, often angled to minimize flaws
Close-up shots rather than full-room context
The finish appears immaculate. But what’s rarely discussed is the cost, prep time, or fragility of that final look. The result is captivating—but are we appreciating the craft, or simply chasing the gloss?
A Brief Gloss Timeline: How We Got Here
High gloss isn’t new. It has roots in European lacquerwork, Georgian paneling, and Art Deco interiors. But its current wave has followed a very 21st-century trajectory:
2014–2016: The Boutique Beginning
Fine Paints of Europe gains traction in the U.S. among designers and craftspeople. High gloss makes quiet appearances on interior doors and kitchen cabinetry, often in bold colors like navy, crimson, and emerald.
2018–2019: Gloss as Flex
Gloss begins to signal status. Interior design magazines and Pinterest boards showcase lacquered rooms as symbols of elevated taste. Designers like Miles Redd, Katie Ridder, and Steven Gambrel integrate high gloss into their signature styles.
2020–2022: Pandemic DIY Surge
As homeowners rethink their interiors, gloss gains ground on social media. Dramatic powder rooms, stairwells, and home offices become testing grounds for the trend. Brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams release their own high-gloss formulas for trim and cabinetry.
2023–2025: Saturation + Selectivity
Gloss hasn't disappeared—but it's evolved. Designers now use it more strategically: on ceilings, single walls, or architectural accents. Meanwhile, matte and limewash finishes gain traction in both European and U.S. markets. The look that once felt cutting-edge now feels familiar.
The novelty hasn’t vanished, but it’s no longer unexpected.
Gloss has become a known move.
The Problem with Shine Chasing
Gloss is not a finish to fake. When used improperly or applied poorly, it can backfire: visually and practically.
Some common issues:
Prep Work Is Non-Negotiable: Gloss exposes every drywall seam, patch mark, or sloppy caulk line.
Improper Application Ages Quickly: Without a sealed, dust-free environment, even a beautiful gloss job can show particles, bubbles, or uneven sheen.
Durability ≠ Forgiveness: Gloss is durable, but it’s also hard to touch up. Chips, cracks, or scratches are highly visible and often unfixable without full reapplication.
Trend Burnout: What feels stylish today may feel dated tomorrow, especially if used too liberally or without a cohesive design story.
Gloss isn’t for every wall or every home. And when it’s used simply to emulate what’s trending, it rarely works.
The Psychological Impact of High Gloss
Gloss doesn’t just affect the light: it affects how we feel.
Here’s what psychologists and design theorists have observed about high-sheen interiors:
Stimulation and Alertness: Gloss increases light bounce and visual contrast, which can energize a space, but also overstimulate. In bedrooms or relaxation zones, it may feel too “on.”
Perceived Cleanliness and Precision: Gloss surfaces evoke order, control, and luxury. But they also reveal every fingerprint or dust particle—inviting a cycle of hyper-maintenance.
Emotional Distance: While a matte finish can feel cozy and grounded, high gloss can come off as formal, even cold, if not balanced with texture and warmth.
Status Signaling: Like high-shine cars or handbags, high gloss interiors can become symbols of affluence. That isn’t inherently negative—but it can sometimes overshadow authenticity.
Paint isn’t just aesthetic…it’s emotional. And gloss carries more emotional weight than most finishes.
What High Gloss Does Well (And When to Use It)
Despite the warnings, high gloss is not the villain. When thoughtfully applied, it can be breathtaking:
Small, Architectural Moments: Gloss works beautifully on powder room walls, paneled libraries, or stair rails.
Light-Reflecting Accents: In darker homes or small spaces, it can brighten and dramatize without overwhelming.
Doors and Trim: Gloss adds elegance and protection to areas with heavy use.
Some standout products:
Fine Paints of Europe Hollandlac Brilliant: The gold standard of gloss—deep, rich, and truly mirror-like.
Benjamin Moore Advance High Gloss: Easier to work with than FPE, ideal for doors and furniture.
Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel (Gloss): Excellent durability for cabinetry and baseboards.
We recommend using high gloss as a design accent, not a design identity. Pair it with matte walls, textured textiles, and soft lighting for balance.
Final Thoughts: Beyond the Shine
The high gloss trend isn’t dead. But it’s no longer rare…and that changes everything.
We’re seeing a shift: from maximalist sheen to thoughtful restraint. From whole-room gloss to accent-driven contrast and trend-chasing to timelessness.
At Stanwich Painting, we love premium finishes—but we love the right finish even more. We work with Fine Paints of Europe, Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore to create interiors that aren’t just stylish but sustainable, livable, and uniquely yours.
Because the best finish isn’t just the shiniest.
It’s the one that reflects who you are and how you live.
Need help navigating your next interior project?
Whether you’re considering high gloss, soft matte, or a layered finish, we’ll help you choose the right formula for your space.
Call us at 475-252-9500
Schedule your free consultation
Citations and Further ReadingFine Paints of Europe – How to Paint a Door (PDF Download)
In-depth instructions for painting doors—including prep, sanding, and ideal application methods—available for downloadFine Paints of Europe – Surface Preparation & Application Tips
Fine Paints of Europe emphasizes thorough dust removal and sanding as critical to achieving a high-gloss finishhttps://finepaintsofeurope.com/secrets-to-successful-painting/
Better Homes & Gardens via The Times – “Move Over Matte: Shiny Interiors Are Having a Moment”
This January 2025 trend roundup calls attention to the rise of “wet-look” finishes—mirrored, lacquered, and high-gloss surfaces making their way into fashion, interiors, and furniture. While not exclusive to paint, it reflects a wider cultural appetite for shine.
https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/fashion/article/move-over-matte-shiny-interiors-are-here-plus-more-trends-to-know-qmdnjbzdxNewsweek via Designer Commentary – Design Shift Toward Matte Over Gloss (2025)
Highlights expert observations on a growing preference for matte finishes as high gloss recedeshttps://www.newsweek.com/interior-designer-contemporary-design-out-worst-style-tiktok-2043030
Times Union – Modern Home Design Tops 2025 Instagram Trends
Demonstrates Instagram’s role in accelerating visual trends, with modern (often low-shine) style leading the conversationThe Spruce – “This New Design Trend Might Be the Secret to a Low-Maintenance Kitchen”
Explores the rise of matte finishes for their practicality and aesthetic, as an alternative to high gloss.https://www.thespruce.com/matte-finish-home-design-trend-11727934
Architectural Digest – DIY Home Renovation Trends for 2025
Notes personalization and surface experimentation—including both gloss accents and matte grounding.https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/2025-diy-trends-you-will-be-seeing-in-home-renovations
The Spruce via The Spruce – High-Gloss Floors Among Trends to Avoid in 2025
Designers cite impracticality and visibility of wear as reasons to move away from ultra-shiny surfaces.https://www.thespruce.com/2025-outdated-flooring-trends-11768814
Insights Psychology – “Psychology of Color: How Shades Affect Your Mood”
Explains how color—including lightness and reflectivity—can influence emotion and behavior, relevant to understanding the impact of shiny versus matte surfaceshttps://insightspsychology.org/psychology-of-color-emotional-impact/
Slow Living LDN – “The Psychology of Colour in Interior Design”
Explores emotional responses elicited by color choices in interiors—a foundation for why high-gloss surfaces feel stimulating or clinical.https://slowlivingldn.com/journal/interiors/psychology-of-colour/
SheerLuxe – “An Expert Guide to Designing Spaces for the Senses”
Offers practical, designer-backed methods for engaging visual, tactile, and emotional dimensions in interiors—including considerations of sheenhttps://sheerluxe.com/home/interior-design/an-expert-guide-to-designing-spaces-for-the-senses
Preprints.org – “How Interior Design Influences the Sensory and Emotional State”
A recent summary of research showing that balanced sensory elements in environments (like material finishes) affect mental health and comforthttps://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/338655b1e41259b37a8b8c5e05616106/download_pub