Drywall texture isn’t one thing. It’s a range of finishes, each with different visual depth, repair behavior, cost, and long-term performance. Some textures are designed to disappear. Others exist to hide flaws, add character, or speed up installation.
Knowing the difference matters before work starts.
We’ll lay out the most common drywall texture types, how they’re created, where each one works best, and where they tend to cause problems later.
Key Notes
Drywall textures fall into four categories – each affecting cost, durability, and repair difficulty.
Smooth finishes offer the best lighting performance but require flawless prep and higher labor costs.
Orange peel and knockdown balance flaw coverage, affordability, and long-term repairability.
Decorative and heavy textures add character but complicate cleaning, repainting, and future repairs.
How Drywall Texture Types Are Categorized
Before getting into individual textures, it helps to understand how they’re grouped. Not all textures are created the same way, and that affects cost, durability, and repairability.
The Four Core Categories of Drywall Texture
Smooth finishes – no visible texture, relies on flawless drywall finishing
Spray‑applied textures – applied with a hopper or spray system
Hand‑applied textures – shaped with knives, trowels, or brushes
Specialty plaster‑style finishes – premium, multi‑coat systems
Each category behaves differently under light, wear, and future repairs.
Texture vs Drywall Finish Levels
Smooth & Low‑Profile Drywall Texture Types
These finishes dominate modern homes and open‑concept layouts.
Smooth (Level 5 Skim Coat)
A Level 5 finish is the smoothest drywall surface possible. After taping and finishing, the entire wall is skim‑coated with joint compound to eliminate seams, fasteners, and surface variation.
Pros
Completely uniform under harsh or directional lighting
Best option for dark, glossy, or high‑end paint finishes
Feels modern, clean, and intentional
Easiest surface to repaint long‑term
Cons
20–50% higher cost than textured walls
Demands skilled labor
Shows framing issues if prep is rushed
Best For
Living rooms with large windows
Kitchens with recessed or pendant lighting
High‑end remodels and resale‑focused homes
Cost: Typically $2–3 per sq ft for finishing alone
This is widely considered the most timeless wall texture, but it only works if the underlying drywall work is flawless.
Spray Sand Texture
Spray sand mixes joint compound with fine sand and sprays it for a subtle, gritty surface. It sits between smooth and orange peel.
Pros
Softens minor imperfections
Diffuses light without heavy texture
Faster and cheaper than Level 5
Cons
Traps dirt over time
Repairs require matching sand ratios
Less common in modern homes
Best For
Transitional spaces
Older walls needing light camouflage
Spray‑Applied Drywall Texture Types
These are the most common interior wall texture types you’ll see today.
Orange Peel Texture
Orange peel creates small, uniform dimples resembling citrus skin. It can be sprayed light, medium, or heavy.
Pros
Hides minor dents and tape lines
Affordable and fast to apply
Easy to patch with spray cans
Cleans easier than deeper textures
Cons
Can read builder‑grade in high‑end homes
Repairs must match spray density
Heavy applications complicate painting
Best For
Rentals
Mid‑range homes
High‑traffic walls
Cost: Lower than smooth, similar to knockdown
When comparing orange peel texture vs smooth, orange peel wins on forgiveness and cost, smooth wins on resale and polish.
Knockdown Drywall Texture
Knockdown starts as a splatter spray, then gets flattened with a knife, leaving soft “islands” of texture.
Pros
Excellent at hiding flaws
More durable than orange peel
Performs well on ceilings
Broad homeowner appeal
Cons
Grooves trap dust
Repairs take practice to blend
Can feel dated if applied too heavy
Best For
Walls and ceilings
Family homes
Older framing
Cost: Similar to orange peel
In the orange peel vs knockdown debate, knockdown hides more flaws but is harder to clean.
Popcorn Texture (Acoustic Ceiling)
Popcorn is a heavy spray texture traditionally used on ceilings, especially pre‑1990s.
Pros
Exceptional flaw hiding
Fast and cheap installation
Sound‑absorbing
Cons
Extremely hard to clean
Difficult to repair invisibly
Dated appearance
Possible asbestos in older homes
Best For
Older budget ceilings
Popcorn has largely fallen out of favor and is now more often removed than installed.
Hand‑Applied & Decorative Drywall Texture Types
These textures bring character but require more skill.
Skip Trowel Texture
Skip trowel uses a curved knife to apply irregular, overlapping strokes over a smooth base.
Pros
Hides major imperfections
Adds architectural depth
Durable and forgiving
Cons
Labor‑intensive
Regional style appeal
Harder to repaint cleanly
Cost: $1.25–$2.50 per sq ft
In skip trowel texture vs knockdown, skip trowel hides more but costs more and is harder to match.
Spanish Lace (Lace Texture)
Spanish lace combines spraying and hand‑knockdown to create interconnected, lace‑like patterns.
Pros
Decorative and refined
Strong flaw coverage
Durable raised ridges
Cons
High skill requirement
Dust‑collecting grooves
Niche resale appeal
Best used sparingly as an accent.
Comb Texture
Comb texture uses toothed tools to create repeated arches or lines.
Pros
Customizable patterns
Low material cost
DIY‑friendly with practice
Cons
Tricky to clean
Repairs must perfectly match
Limited modern appeal
Crow’s Foot / Stomp Texture
This texture uses a stomp brush to create fan‑like impressions.
Pros
Excellent flaw hiding
Bold visual impact
Sound‑dampening
Cons
Heavy dust trapping
Hard to repair
Polarizing look
Specialty & High‑End Drywall Texture Options
Venetian Plaster Style Finish
Venetian plaster mimics polished stone using multiple thin coats that are burnished smooth.
Pros
Luxurious depth and sheen
Extremely durable
Seamless curves and edges
Cons
Very expensive
Requires artisans
Difficult to repair
Cost: $3–$30+ per sq ft
This is the most expensive drywall texture and is best reserved for feature walls.
Drywall Texture Comparison At A Glance
Texture | Hides Flaws | Lighting Tolerance | Repair Ease | Cost |
Smooth | Low | Excellent | Easy | High |
Orange Peel | Good | Moderate | Easy | Low |
Knockdown | Very Good | Good | Medium | Medium |
Skip Trowel | Excellent | Good | Hard | Medium‑High |
Popcorn | Excellent | Low | Hard | Low |
What Drywall Texture Is Best?
It depends on how the space is used.
Modern homes: Smooth or light knockdown
High‑traffic areas: Knockdown or orange peel
Rentals: Orange peel
Ceilings: Knockdown
Older homes: Skip trowel or knockdown
There is no universal best. There is only the best for the space.
Drywall Texture Trends
Texture Repairs & Long‑Term Maintenance
Spray textures are easiest to patch
Smooth walls repaint cleanly
Deep textures trap dust and age faster
Texture choice affects repairs years later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you mix different drywall textures in the same home?
Yes, and it’s common when done intentionally. Many homes use smooth walls with knockdown or orange peel ceilings, or reserve decorative textures for accents. The key is keeping transitions clean and limiting the number of textures so it feels cohesive.
Does drywall texture affect paint color and finish choice?
Absolutely. Heavier textures absorb more paint and can dull darker or glossy colors. Smooth and light textures show color more accurately, while deeper textures usually look best with matte or eggshell finishes.
Is it better to retexture or skim coat when updating a room?
It depends on the existing texture and lighting. Light textures can often be skimmed smooth, while heavy textures may be faster to remove or cover with new drywall. Cost, ceiling height, and future resale all factor in.
Can drywall texture help with sound or echo in a room?
To a small degree, yes. Heavier textures like popcorn, skip trowel, or stomp can slightly reduce echo by breaking up sound waves, but they’re not a substitute for proper soundproofing or insulation.
Not Sure Which Texture Works Best?
Get guidance without dust or repeat visits.
Conclusion
Light reveals everything. That’s why drywall texture choices matter more than most people expect. Each option behaves differently once the room is finished and lived in.
Smooth walls reward precision and controlled lighting, but they demand flawless prep.
Orange peel and knockdown handle daily wear well and stay forgiving in busy homes.
Skip trowel, lace, and stomp add character when the space and style support it, but feel heavy in the wrong setting.
Popcorn still hides flaws cheaply, though it struggles with maintenance and resale.
The right drywall texture types come down to how the space is used, how light moves through it, and how much flexibility you want later.
If you want clear guidance based on your walls, lighting, and goals, a free quote gives you real answers before anything is sprayed, skimmed, or sanded. One visit, clean work, and a finish that holds up long after the paint dries.
