Texture definitely plays a role, but honestly, I've found the paint finish itself can sometimes have an even bigger impact. A matte finish on a textured wall absorbs light differently than eggshell or satin, and that alone can shift the perceived color quite a bit. I once had a similar issue with a soft beige—looked perfect in matte, but when we switched to eggshell for easier cleaning, it suddenly took on this weird peachy undertone in afternoon sunlight. Ended up having to adjust the tint slightly cooler to compensate.
Also, something else to consider is the environmental reflection from furniture or flooring. Even subtle things like wood tones or upholstery colors bouncing around the room can alter how your wall color reads throughout the day. Learned that one the hard way after installing bamboo flooring... suddenly my neutral walls looked oddly yellowish. Just goes to show how interconnected all these elements really are.
That's a great point about flooring reflections—I ran into something similar with cherry cabinets once. The warm wood tones totally threw off the cool gray walls we had planned. Have you noticed if lighting temperature (like warm vs cool bulbs) affects your wall colors as much as finishes and textures do? I've found lighting can sometimes make an even bigger difference than paint sheen... curious if you've experienced that too.
Totally agree—lighting temp can seriously shift how colors look. I painted a room soft beige once, looked great in daylight but turned weirdly pinkish under warm bulbs at night. Switched to cooler LEDs and problem solved... lighting really is a game changer.
Interesting point about the LEDs, but did you find the cooler bulbs made the room feel less cozy at night? I've always thought warmer lighting was better for relaxing spaces, but maybe that's just me. Had a similar issue with gray paint once—it looked blue-ish under certain lights. Makes me wonder if there's really a perfect lighting solution or if we're all just chasing our tails here...
Cooler bulbs can definitely feel a bit clinical if you're used to warmer tones, but it's all about balance and placement. I've found using adjustable LEDs with dimmers or smart bulbs can offer the best of both worlds—bright, cooler lighting when you need clarity for working or cooking, and softer warmth for relaxing later on. You're right, though; paint colors are notoriously tricky under changing lights... there's probably no perfect solution, just compromises we learn to live with.