What is the Point of Adding Texture to Walls and Ceilings? (2024)

FAQs

What is the Point of Adding Texture to Walls and Ceilings? ›

Create a unique look: Texture can create a unique finish for a wall or hallway to make a room look more interesting. Act as camouflage: The most common reason textured drywall is installed is because it can hide imperfections in the drywall finish so it doesn't have to be repaired, repainted, or refinished as often.

Wall textures are commonly used to finish interior wall surfaces and hide taped drywall seams along with other imperfections. At the same time these textures transform flat walls into a finish that reflects light and adds interest to any room.

Many homes built in the late 1930s through the 1990s have popcorn ceilings or some type of texture applied overhead. It was used to cover up a lot of flaws in the ceiling. It was time-effective and cost-efficient. Often called an acoustic ceiling, it also served the purpose to absorb sound and reduce noise.

In short, yes, you can match the ceiling and wall texture, but professionals suggest adding contrast between the ceiling and the walls. This way, you get more spatial definitions. On the other hand, if the ceiling and wall texture match, then the odds are that your home may look cluttered.

You don't need to texture the drywall. Not for improving the performance of the paint, texture is used to give the wall a more traditional appearance or to hide defects.

Although textured ceilings are currently used in many homes, some people might view its appearance as outdated or unappealing. If you're looking to make your house look as contemporary as possible, this is something to keep in mind.

It is often a finishing step in the construction of new homes or remodeling of older homes and signifies that the walls are ready for paint.

Popcorn ceilings are never used in modern or new-build homes, and interior designers, decorators, and builders don't choose this design unless requested by a client. Whatever its original appeal, popcorn ceiling today simply isn't a good look.

Textured ceilings are making a slow comeback, and more people are beginning to appreciate the unique beauty they bring to a home. They can add a touch of charm to a room, or make a space look more luxurious. Their popularity is slowly growing, and it is possible that they will become more popular in the future.

Flat/Smooth

The most common type of ceiling finish is flat or smoothed ceilings.

Do textured walls add value? ›

Decreased appeal for buyers: Because they look outdated and are hard to remove, textured drywall isn't appealing to most buyers. If you're preparing to sell, popcorn ceilings or textured walls could hurt your resale value.

When you choose a wallpaper that has a texture, you're adding another dimension to a wall, which in turn, helps to make that wall seem bigger than it is. Many textured wallpapers come in lighter colors, which also helps it to make a room seem bigger than it is.

Textured walls may not be preferred for various reasons. They can make a room feel dated, collect dust more easily, limit design options, and pose challenges when it comes to painting or wallpapering.

Textured walls are also becoming popular in 2023. This can be achieved through the use of materials like shiplap, beadboard or a textured paint finish—and when this trend is put into play, it effortlessly adds a sense of depth and dimension to any space.

The orange peel design is perhaps the most common wall texture. It's common because it's easy to apply and affordable for anyone to access. The orange peel texture looks and feels like a citrus rind, hence the name. This texture is ideal because it offers an understated accent to any space.

Disadvantages of textured wall paint

Needs involvement of professionals. It requires more time to paint a wall using texture paint. It is not ideal for high-traffic areas. Texture paint is quite difficult to remove.

Removing popcorn ceilings will almost always increase a home's value. Not only is the design trend no longer desirable, but it also poses safety concerns for home buyers.

They steadily declined in popularity after the '80s, and popcorn ceilings haven't made a comeback since.

Did you know that smooth ceilings increase the value of your home? Ceiling stipple makes your home look dated. Smooth ceilings add visual height and spaciousness to rooms and hallways. In contrast, stippled or textured ceilings draw your focus to the texture, making the room seem smaller.

Builders apply texture to drywall to create a finished look, hiding drywall tape, seams, and any imperfections. There are five different levels of drywall texture, ranging from smooth to rough. In addition, wall texture adds dimension and interest to your interior.

Why do all Florida homes have textured walls? ›

Reason Number 1 to Texture Walls: It is More Economical

Anyone who has installed and finished drywall knows that smooth-finish walls are very labor intensive. For the homeowner, this means it is more expensive.

Texture walks and sensory exploration can be a way to develop tactile discrimination in the hands and feet, while broadening basic concepts, such as soft/hard and rough/smooth. Children may enjoy exploring while walking, crawling, sitting or touching with their hands the different textures.

Smaller rooms won't benefit from a textured ceiling, which can make them feel even smaller. Large rooms will benefit from texturing as it can help add dimension and interest to the ceiling. Smooth ceilings, as far as cost goes, are more expensive, so the right budget is a factor.

The main issue with popcorn ceilings is that they contain asbestos. Homes built before the 1970s likely have popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos. It was only during that decade that a ban on asbestos was passed. However, the ban did not state that asbestos-containing popcorn texture could not be used.

In short, removing a popcorn ceiling can increase your home value. However, particular circ*mstances can affect its impact. Removing popcorn ceilings from a smaller home may not be a good use of renovation money. As long as it's in good condition, a fresh coat of paint may be the better option due to cost.

While scraping a textured ceiling is a common tactic to achieve a flat ceiling, Mauro suggests that in some cases, it's a lot easier to smooth over the texture with joint compound than to scrape it off.

If it's time to redo a popcorn ceiling, there are three popular ways to take on the challenge: scrape, cover with a new layer of drywall, or skim coat with plaster to create a new textured ceiling.

Knockdown Texture

Best For: Concealing minor imperfections and adding depth to the room. Knockdown ceiling texture creates a rustic pattern that is similar to stucco.

Textured walls can be used in a variety of ways in both modern and traditional homes. For a modern look, consider using a bold pattern such as wallpaper or a bold color with a subtle texture. This will create a statement piece that will stand out in the room.

For instance, orange peel is mostly found in larger areas like living rooms or kitchens instead of smaller spaces like bedrooms. Although modern homes rarely use it anymore, it is still largely present in commercial buildings and hotels, per Drywall 101, because it lends a bit of a rustic feel to a space.

Are swirl ceilings outdated? ›

A. Swirl ceilings are still installed today because they are less expensive to do than a smooth finish.

Applying little to no texture can make your space feel dull and barren. On the flipside, a room with too many textured elements can feel cluttered and unrelaxing.

Textured painted walls are quite good at hiding flaws in the drywall and also add visual depth to the surface. Since they hide both flaws and dust or dirt as it accumulates, textured walls may also have the advantage of looking clean for longer periods of time.

Wall texture that has never been painted can usually be removed with a soak-and-scrape process. Painted texture requires skimming the surface with drywall compound. Paint acts as a sealant against water, so soaking wouldn't be effective very effective in softening the texture—you're better off covering up.

Use vertical stripes and patterns.

Taking a cue from fashion, it is best to use vertical stripes instead of horizontal stripes, because vertical stripes create the illusion of height.

Add reflective surfaces

Yes, you know that mirrors make a space appear larger. (“It's like doubling a room,” Curtis says.) But other reflective surfaces — high-gloss painted ceilings, lacquered furniture, shiny tile on a kitchen backsplash — have a similar effect, casting light and creating the illusion of volume.

By moving furniture out and away from walkways, you'll open up the space and make it feel larger. You can also choose short pieces of furniture like an ottoman, an armless open chair, or a low table, and place large, tall pieces along a wall rather than out in the open space.

If you're tired of the same old flat surface or dealing with a ceiling full of imperfections, repairs, or uneven surfaces, a textured ceiling may be the way to go. Texture can add character and depth to the room, making it an excellent final touch on a renovation project.

True or False: Bullnose corners are out of style. That's false. The type of drywall corners that should go in your new home should be determined by the style of your house and your personal preference.

Is white and gray out of style? Experts agree that this color pairing will no longer dominate trends in 2023. It's hard to believe we could ever see the total end of gray and white – the two (seemingly timeless) tones that have been at the forefront of our decorating agendas for decades.

What style is coming back in 2023? ›

Drop-Waist Dresses and Skirts

Heads up: The '80s are coming back and in a major way. You may think of drop-waist skirts as a thing of the past, but they're about to make a return in 2023—as proven by Carolina Herrera and Sandy Liang (and they're looking good). Honestly, we can't say we aren't excited about this one.

In 2023, home décor and design trends are primed to shift into earthy, texture-rich territory via brown and wooden furniture, handmade pieces, neutral color palettes, and bespoke touches that lend warmth and character to a space.

Professional painters create wall and ceiling textures with an electric texture sprayer. These tools allow the user to pour texturing compound into a hopper, and the machine introduces water and air to the mix. The hopper is a better choice if you are texturing a large area.

The bumpy texture, resembling its namesake of “popped' kernels, is applied to walls and ceilings through a spray made of drywall or plaster. Don't get me wrong, popcorn walls and ceilings are great for concealing imperfections like dings, dents and scratches. But they could be hurting your home's value.

This process is hard to do and is extremely messy, which is why you should let a professional do it. Painters typically wet the walls first and then remove the texture by scraping it off. Before they begin, they will place drop cloths over everything in the rooms to make cleaning up after the job a little easier.

Cost-Effective

Not only are popcorn ceilings easy to install, but they're also relatively cheaper than other alternatives like smooth ceilings. This cost-effective material allows you to pay your contractor less, or if you decide to do the project on your own, it saves you your hard-earned money.

You'll Need More Paint than Usual

If nothing else, know that painting over textured walls will require more paint than is necessary for painting a smoother surface.

Textured interior walls (think: “orange peel,” popcorn, or swirled patterns) have a practical function, since the texture hides the signs of drywall installation—that is, the taped seams where the sheets of drywall meet—and other imperfections. “It's cost-saving,” says Barton.

Benefits of Texturing Your Walls

Drywall seams, dents, nail holes, and other surfaces are amplified by a smooth surface finish. Textured walls can hide imperfections. Textured walls are easier to finish and can be completed more quickly than a smooth finish.

Smaller rooms won't benefit from a textured ceiling, which can make them feel even smaller. Large rooms will benefit from texturing as it can help add dimension and interest to the ceiling. Smooth ceilings, as far as cost goes, are more expensive, so the right budget is a factor.

Is wall texture outdated? ›

While certain types of wall texture are considered outdated, it would be unfair to call all textured walls out of step with modern trends. Like many things with interior design, textured walls are what you make of them, and they can certainly take on a more modern spin when paired with of-the-moment decor.

Textured painted walls are quite good at hiding flaws in the drywall and also add visual depth to the surface. Since they hide both flaws and dust or dirt as it accumulates, textured walls may also have the advantage of looking clean for longer periods of time.

Cost to texture ceiling

The average cost to texture a ceiling is $1 to $2 per square foot. Texturing a drywall ceiling costs $130 to $440 on average for a bedroom or living room. The total cost depends on the texture type, application method, and ceiling height.