Texture applied to walls and ceilings creates small shadows due to the texture’s peaks and valleys.

This darkening effect hides surface imperfections such as visible seams, bulges, or depressions.

Comb Texture

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Comb texture is just what it sounds like!

Collage of different wall textures

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly

A comb tool is used to create waves, lines, and swirls in wet paint.

The result is half circles that add movement to the wall.

Tip

Wall texture effects vary depending on how the material is applied and rolled.

Popcorn wall texture

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Practice the technique on scraps of drywall or even sheets of cardboard before moving to your walls and ceilings.

Practice with both thin coats and heavy coats.

Try different drying times between coats.

Knockdown wall texture

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Do not skip the primer.

Drywall compound is chalky and sucks the moisture out of paint, leading to inconsistent results and wasted paint.

Primer is relatively cheap and seals the surface for the finish coats of paint.

Orange peel texture

Getty Images/Pakin Songmor

Wall texture is not going to hide unfinished joints or screw/nail indentions.

Be sure to bed and tape joints, fill screw/nail indentations, and apply at least one fill coat.

Knockdown texture flattens the peaks of the textured surface to create a look much like textured plaster.

Comb wall texture

Getty Images/sallies

While the compound is still wet, begin knocking it down.

Using a large 10- to 12-inch drywall knife helps keep the knockdown more consistent.

The texture needs to be the correct consistency for this to work.

Sand swirl wall texture

Getty Images/kampee patisena

If it is too wet, the texture will smear.

If it is too dry, it will not knock down correctly.

Faux Wall Texture Techniques

Create the look of wall texture withfaux paintingtechniques.

Slap brush wall texture

Getty Images/Nenov

Tips For Texturing a Wall

Not ready to commit to an entire textured wall?

it’s possible for you to try a textured wall panel for just a touch of visual interest.

Orange peel, splatter, and knock-down effects are all possible withtexture sprayers.

Slapbrush knockdown effect

Getty Images/kampee patisena

Drying time takes only a few hours.

Texturing a wall is not difficult.

Materials for texturing a wall are drywall compound, water, primer, and paint.

Different types of paint rollers

Texturing a wall with a roller is similar to painting a wall with a roller.

Skimcoating drywall before texturing is not necessary.

However, to limit water absorption, drywall must be painted with primer before applying the texture.

A paint edger we recommend on a green background

Use a texture machine for large areas of textured wall, such as multiple rooms or an entire house.

Manual texture system is slower but it’s easier to control, less expensive, and cleaner.

The cheapest way to texture a wall is to use a paint roller with texture paint or texture material.

Paint Brushes

Orange peel texture is inexpensive and easy to apply.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, which makes it perfect for beginners.

Because of its ease and affordability, orange peel texture is also the most popular style of wall texturing.

Paint tools

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Stippling Ceiling With a Roller

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Rolling out wall texture

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Use drywall knife to smooth out the textured surface

Margot Cavin / The Spruce