Textural Desecrations

Textured Ceilings & Walls: The Good, the Bad, and the Darkly Dramatic

Textured walls: the interior design relic that makes your home feel a little like the surface of the moon. Sure, they might hide a multitude of sins, but at what cost? Our aesthetic souls? If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at your walls wondering why your beautifully chosen paint color looks a little bit like the sample card, it’s close anyway, right? —or why your art looks almost as lovely as it did that day you fell in love with it in the gallery, the day you acquired it—you’re not alone. Let’s talk about why textured walls could be a sneaky culprit behind your home’s visual woes and why it might be time to smooth things over (literally!).

1. Textured Walls & Ceilings, and the Case of the Disappearing Light

Textures have a nasty habit of swallowing light. The raised surfaces create shadows, making rooms feel darker and smaller than they actually are. It doesn’t matter if you painted your walls “Sunny Day Yellow”—in a room with texture, it’ll look more like “Smattering of Sunshine Afternoon.” Smooth walls & ceilings, on the other hand, reflect light evenly, making your space feel brighter and more open, and showing the true color of your paint finishes. So, if your goal is to make your common spaces feel less like a dorm room and more like a gallery, it’s time to lose the texture.

2. Your Art Deserves Better

You didn’t spend hours curating your art just for texture to diminish it. Texture distorts how light interacts with your artwork, creating uneven shadows and highlights and distracting from the visual impact. This can make even the most interesting art or photography look dull or awkward. Whether it’s a family portrait or an insanely fascinating piece you picked up somewhere along the way, your art deserves a smooth, even backdrop to shine. After all, do you want your walls stealing the show? Didn’t think so.

3. Paint Colors: From Lucious to Lackluster

Here’s the thing: textured walls are notorious for ruining paint colors. The uneven surface scatters light in unpredictable ways, making your carefully selected hue look patchy and inconsistent. Want that trendy “greige” to actually look like greige? Or the purest white to not look like dingy linen? Or that moody navy to feel sophisticated instead of gravely? You’re going to need smooth walls. Trust us, your paint will thank you.

4. The Maintenance Nightmare

Cleaning textured surfaces is like trying to mop a gravel driveway. Dust, dirt, and grime love to settle into those nooks and crannies, turning your walls into performance art (think duct-taped banana on wall). Smooth walls, however, are a breeze to clean and keep looking fresh. Say goodbye to the days of scrubbing tiny grooves with a toothbrush and hello to easy maintenance.

5. The Repair Rabbit Hole

This is quite possibly the worst part of textured surfaces – repairing them successfully is impossible! Yes, I said that, because it’s true. In 30 years as a professional finishing contractor I have yet to NOT see one (a repaired spot). What I mean by that is every repair, no matter who/how it was done, is visible. It will always be so, they never blend into the surrounding texture because that isn’t on the menu – no one, not even the most experienced & skilled plasterer can perfectly match a repair to the surrounding area, an experienced eye can always tell where a repair was attempted. Smooth walls, not so! In fact, most homeowners can repair smooth walls themselves, withe a bit of practice and patience, flaws can be made to go away forever.

Time to Smooth Things Over

If your textured walls are dragging down your home’s vibe, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Our professional skim coating services can transform your rough walls into sleek, modern masterpieces. Whether you’re looking to brighten your space, showcase your art, or finally see your paint color in its true glory, we’re here to help.

Give us a call today to schedule your free estimate appointment. Let’s turn your walls from lunar landscape to luxury living. Your walls—and your eyes—will thank you.