Seems to me this is in part regional. I read on here before in some places it is incredibly difficult and expensive (and maybe still not successful) to get smooth textured walls; that might have been Florida? I remember the discussion was a lot of tradesmen just don't know how to do it well either.

Smooth is very much the normal standard here (Canadian Prairies) in even in the most basic of homes or apartments; usually paired with knockdown ceilings. But I think that to get smooth walls you can't just wait until the "texture guy" comes in, as the framing, drywall, mud, taping all better be good too, otherwise your smooth walls will probably only highlight their deficiencies.

The necessary workmanship to achieve smooth walls comes before the "texture guy" every even shows up on site. Orange peel and other textures hides the underlying sins...

I was actually really surprised when I learned that in other regions smooth walls are considered "high end" and not standard, but then again there are things here considered high end here that are standard elsewhere :)

No textured walls IMO done totally to cover mistakes made by a bad drywaller. A smooth finish is always my choice no matter what the style elements are.

Smooth, definitely -- for both walls and ceilings.

Smooth is twice as high which I know it’s to deter us from choosing that but I hate orange peel! I just want to be sure I wasn't behind times & things had completely changed.

I’m from Massachusetts where all the walls are smooth. We moved to Texas and almost every new house I’ve seen has a texture to it, including all the new homes in our master-plan neighborhood.

It would seem this is a cost-saving treatment for the builder since I’ve toured remodels with flat walls.

IMO, the texture appears dated if the paint is eggshell or has a slight sheen.

I have knock down.

I think they named it that because literally all you want to do is KNOCK IT DOWN! When I remodel in 10-15 years I will have all level 5 walls. Ahh smooth....

Dear heaven above don't get a texture if you can possibly afford it ....

Go to level 5. Save yourself!

https://www.gypsum.org/2015/03/gypsum-association-issues-revised-levels-of-finish/

LOL and I LOVE my "orange peel" or knock down. It saves a lot of work over the years. When paint chips due to a poor nail job/a kid throwing things what ever the new paint covers the offense if you have a bit of a textured wall. Other wise you will have to spackle every dang time. So it isn't JUST the tapers ills it hides!!!! The old "sand paper" is one I could live without and am glad I do!! Back in the day my mom wanted to paper a wall and it had a sand paper finish. That scraping chore was a BORE.

Yes, we got smooth texture & I’m 100% happy!