Lacquered Walls, the High Gloss Finish Explained

A lacquered wall is a wall finished to a deep, high gloss shine that reflects light almost like glass. It is not simply a coat of gloss paint. A true lacquer finish is built up in thin coats over a perfectly flat surface, rubbed down between coats and polished at the end, so the colour looks deep and liquid rather than just shiny. It suits dining rooms, hallways, libraries, small rooms and ceilings, and it rewards careful preparation more than almost any other wall finish.

What a lacquered wall is

The word lacquer first meant the natural lacquer of East Asia, made from the sap of the lacquer tree and used for centuries in China and Japan on furniture, boxes and screens. Britannica describes it as a coloured, highly polished and opaque type of varnish, applied in many thin layers that are each dried and smoothed before the next. You can read more about that tradition in our article on urushi and the history of lacquer.

Today, lacquer paint and lacquer finish are broader terms for modern hard, glossy coatings. On a wall, lacquered usually describes the effect rather than one product, meaning a smooth, mirror like surface with real depth of colour. At Zavoré, our lacquered walls and ceilings are a modern high gloss system, built up coat by coat, rubbed down between coats and polished to a mirror finish.

Why preparation and flatness matter so much

Gloss shows everything. A flat matt paint scatters light and hides small dents, bumps and filler marks. A high gloss surface reflects light back at you, so every ripple, pinhole or sanding scratch shows up as a wobble in the reflection. The paint maker Resene puts it plainly in its guidance on gloss levels, warning that glossy paints on walls and ceilings will highlight surface imperfections.

That is why a lacquered wall is mostly about preparation. Before any colour goes on, the wall needs to be sound, dry and as flat as it can be made. In practice that means the following.

• Repairing the substrate. Cracks, loose plaster and old patches are dealt with first, because they will telegraph through the gloss.
• Filling and skimming. Dents and uneven areas are filled and rubbed back, sometimes across the whole wall, until it reads as one flat plane.
• Checking in raking light. A light held close to the wall throws small faults into shadow so they can be corrected before finishing.
• Building and rubbing down. Each coat is rubbed back before the next, which is how the surface becomes glassy rather than merely shiny.
• Polishing. The final coat is polished to bring up the mirror finish.

Old houses with wavy walls can still be lacquered, but you should expect more preparation, and the reflection will honestly follow any gentle curves that remain.

Lacquer vs gloss paint for walls

People searching for gloss paint for walls are often after the lacquered look, so it helps to be clear about the difference.

Gloss paint

Ordinary gloss paint is usually used on woodwork such as doors, skirting and windows. Rolled or brushed onto a wall, it gives shine, but it also shows roller texture, brush marks and every flaw in the plaster. Gloss walls done this way can look patchy and plastic rather than polished.

A lacquer finish

A high gloss lacquer finish is about the process as much as the material. The surface is prepared to a much higher standard, colour is built up in thin coats, and each coat is rubbed down before the next. The final polish gives an even, deep reflection without visible texture. It takes longer and needs skilled hands, which is why it is usually done by specialist decorators rather than as a weekend project.

Colours that work in high gloss

Resene notes that the higher the gloss level, the more light bounces off a painted surface, which changes how a colour appears. In our view, deep, saturated colours benefit most.

• Oxblood, cherry and Chinese red. The classic lacquer colours, rich and warm by lamplight.
• Bottle green and racing green. Calm and enveloping, lovely in a library or study.
• Navy and inky blue. Dramatic in a dining room, and they reflect candlelight beautifully.
• Black and aubergine. Bold choices that make a small room feel like a jewel box.
• Soft pastels. Pale pink, butter yellow or powder blue in high gloss feel fresh and bright, though they show less depth than dark colours.

Lacquer also sits well beside gold, a pairing with real history, as the room at Schönbrunn below shows. Think of gilded mouldings, a gilded cornice or ceiling rose, or gold leaf picking out panel mouldings against a dark gloss wall.

Rooms that suit a lacquered finish

Lacquer has decorated grand rooms for a long time. At Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the Vieux Laque Room is lined with Chinese black and gold lacquer panels, originally made as screens for the European market, cut down and set into richly gilded panelling. After the death of Emperor Franz I Stephan in 1765, Maria Theresa had it rededicated as a memorial room to him. Modern lacquered walls borrow that sense of depth and glow, using a smooth, painted high gloss finish rather than imported panels.

• Dining rooms. Gloss walls come alive in the evening, reflecting candles and lamps.
• Hallways. A lacquered hall bounces light into a dark space and makes a strong first impression.
• Libraries and studies. Dark lacquer with books and brass feels intimate and grown up.
• Cloakrooms and small rooms. High gloss makes small spaces feel special and slightly mysterious.
• Ceilings. A lacquered ceiling reflects the room below and adds height. Our guide to Venetian plaster ceilings has other ideas.

If you want sheen with a softer, more natural feel, polished Venetian plaster is another route. Our feature wall ideas compare several finishes side by side.

Caring for lacquered walls

Resene points out that glossy finishes are easier to clean than flatter paints, thanks to their smooth surface. To keep a lacquered wall at its best, follow a few simple rules.

• Dust with a soft, dry microfibre cloth.
• Wipe marks with a cloth barely dampened with clean water, then dry and buff.
• Avoid abrasive pads, scouring creams and strong solvents, which can dull the shine.
• Protect corners and edges in busy areas from knocks, because chips show on a mirror surface.
• Ask your installer before using any cleaning product, as different systems need different care.

Questions we get asked

Can I get a lacquered look with gloss paint?

You can get a shiny wall, but the depth and flatness of true lacquer come from the preparation, the thin coats and the rubbing down and polishing between them.

Do lacquered walls show imperfections?

Yes, gloss reveals any unevenness. That is why so much of the work happens before the colour goes on.

Is a lacquered wall the same as Japanese lacquer?

No. Traditional East Asian lacquer is a natural tree sap. Zavoré's lacquered walls are a modern high gloss system inspired by its look.

Do you lacquer ceilings too?

Yes. Zavoré lacquers walls and ceilings, and works across the UK, including London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Where to go next. See our lacquered walls page for how we work, explore gilding to pair with it, or get in touch to talk about your room. You can also call or WhatsApp 07592 929191, or email support@zavore.co.uk.