Quick brief: Wondering which ceiling or wall texture fits your Boise home. This guide compares the four most requested finishes, how they affect lighting and paint, which hides imperfections best, and how we match patterns during repairs.
How texture affects lighting and paint
Texture changes the way light scatters. Smoother walls reflect more and show more flaws. Heavier textures diffuse light and hide surface defects. Paint sheen plays a role too. Flat and eggshell hide more; satin and higher sheens show more but clean easier. For finish quality targets, see Drywall Finishing Levels.
Knockdown
Look: Soft, mottled pattern created by spraying and then “knocking down” the peaks.
Best for: Living rooms, hallways, busy family spaces.
Hides imperfections: High. Great for older drywall or patches.
Paint pairings: Eggshell for main areas, satin in higher traffic zones where washability matters.
Repair matching: Blend area larger than the patch, feather edges, then lightly knock down to match height and pattern. We handle blend lines as part of Ceiling Repair and Texture Matching.
Orange peel
Look: Fine, uniform spray that mimics an orange rind.
Best for: Newer builds, rental turns, spaces where a clean, subtle texture is wanted.
Hides imperfections: Moderate. Better than smooth, lighter than knockdown.
Paint pairings: Eggshell for a modern look; satin for scrubbable finish in kitchens and entries.
Repair matching: Nozzle, pressure, and material thickness must match the original. We tune the spray to the surrounding field, then blend and repaint. If the patch is visible after paint, we raise or lower texture density to match.
Smooth level 5
Look: Ultra-smooth skim coat with a final tight skim for a perfectly flat plane.
Best for: Modern spaces, strong natural light, feature walls.
Hides imperfections: Low. Requires straight framing and careful finishing to Level 5.
Paint pairings: Flat or eggshell to reduce telegraphing; satin only on very flat surfaces.
Repair matching: Seamless results require tight boarding, feathered joints, and full-surface skim. Book Taping & Finishing for true Level 5 consistency across a room.
Skip trowel
Look: Hand-troweled, slightly rustic pattern with overlapping swirls.
Best for: Accent walls, dining rooms, ceilings where character matters.
Hides imperfections: Moderate to high depending on pattern density.
Paint pairings: Eggshell highlights movement; flat mutes it for a softer read.
Repair matching: We study the original hand motion and blade angle, then sample on a board before blending the live surface. For ceilings, we expand the blend zone to keep light from revealing edges.
Matching existing patterns during repairs
Texture matching starts with height and density, then moves to blend width and paint sheen. We mock up a sample, secure the patch, set the pattern, and repaint the full plane when needed so light doesn’t outline the repair. See Ceiling Repair and Texture Matching for our process and Drywall Repair for quick wall and ceiling fixes.
Which texture hides imperfections best
- Best at hiding: Knockdown
- Balanced hide and cleanability: Orange peel
- Most modern look but least forgiving: Smooth level 5
- Character plus decent hide: Skip trowel
If your walls have waves or past patches, a heavier pattern like knockdown often delivers the cleanest finished look per dollar.
Paint sheen cheatsheet (eggshell vs satin)
- Eggshell: Softer glow, better at hiding minor defects, ideal for most walls.
- Satin: Brighter and more scrubbable, shows texture height more clearly.
- Flat: Best at hiding, least washable; use on ceilings or low-touch walls.
For sheen choices on very flat work, review Drywall Finishing Levels to match expectations.
Before-after value: where texture upgrades pay off
- Whole-ceiling refresh after repairs improves resale photos and light quality.
- Orange peel to knockdown can modernize 1990s finishes without a full skim.
- Targeted Level 5 on accent walls or around critical lighting creates a high-end read.
Call to action
Book a Texture Match or Upgrade
We recommend the right pattern for your space, match existing finishes, and deliver a paint-ready surface with clean edges.
Service area: Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Kuna
Need perfect seams before texture. Start here: Taping & Finishing
Contact: Request an estimate