Journal / Textures
Rough or smooth: a guide to texture wall finishes
By the Interiors Wallah site team · Published · Updated · 2 min read
Plain paint covers a wall. Texture gives it character. In a hotel lobby, a villa living room or the facade of a tower, one well-chosen textured surface does more for the space than an upgrade in paint tier everywhere else. The choice starts with a simple question: rough or smooth?
Rough textures
Rough textures are built up on the wall so the pattern can be felt as well as seen.
- Roller and comb textures. A thick coating is rolled on and then patterned with a textured roller, comb or brush.
- Spray textures. Material is sprayed to give a fine or coarse grain, often used outside.
- Rustic and sand finishes. A coarse, earthy surface that suits exteriors and courtyard walls.
Rough textures are forgiving. They hide small undulations and hairline cracks, which is one reason they are popular on exterior walls and large surfaces.
Smooth textures
Smooth textures are flat to the touch but have visual depth.
- Stucco. Thin layers trowelled on and polished to a marble-like surface with a soft sheen.
- Metallic finishes. A pearlescent or metallic coat that changes with the light, often in gold, bronze or silver tones.
- Colour wash and combed effects. Two tones worked together to give movement without relief.
Smooth textures are unforgiving. The wall beneath must be perfectly level, because a polished finish shows every flaw.
Rough or smooth: how to choose
| Rough texture | Smooth texture | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Raised pattern | Flat, polished |
| Suits | Exteriors, feature bands, bold walls | Lobbies, living rooms, bedrooms |
| Wall preparation | Moderate | Very high |
| Hides wall flaws | Yes | No |
| Cleaning | Dust settles in the pattern | Wipes easily |
| Skill needed | Moderate | High |
Where texture works best
- Hotels: the wall behind the reception, lift lobbies, and one wall in each guest room.
- Villas: the double-height living room wall, the wall behind the bed, the staircase wall.
- Apartment towers: entrance lobbies inside, and podium levels and feature bands outside.
- Offices and showrooms: the reception wall and meeting-room feature walls.
Three rules we follow
- A sample panel first. Texture never looks the same on a shade card as it does on a wall. We make a panel on site, in the light of the room, and wait for approval.
- One applicator per wall. Every applicator has a slightly different hand. A wall started by one person and completed by another shows a line.
- Protect it until handover. Texture is the hardest finish to touch up invisibly, so it goes on late and is covered until the room is handed over.
If you would like sample panels made for your project, send us the details.