Knockdown, skip-trowel, and popcorn textures are the best choices for hiding ceiling imperfections, with knockdown being the most popular modern option. These textures use varying patterns, depths, and heights to mask drywall seams, dips, and cracks, significantly reducing the need for perfect drywall finishing.
Textured ceilings like comb, popcorn, and orange peel can transform the look of a room while hiding flaws, reducing noise, and adding depth. These textures can be applied by homeowners using common tools such as paintbrushes and rollers, or sprayed on for a more polished finish.
Smooth ceilings and knockdown texture are the top choices. Smooth finishes are preferred for modern, high-end, or minimalist spaces, while knockdown (a mottled, dimensional look) is widely used to conceal minor imperfections. Skip trowel is also trending for a rustic, artisan plaster look.
Knockdown Texture
It covers most flaws and gives a soft, classic look. You will love it if you want a slight pattern that can hide drywall imperfections without looking too bold. This one is perfect for full rooms, small halls, or any wall that needs a clean feel.
Drywall alternatives like plywood, plaster, and shiplap provide options for those seeking unique aesthetics or improved functionality in wall finishes. While drywall is affordable, easy to repair, and fire-resistant, these materials offer benefits that might better suit specific needs.
The most popular drywall texture in 2026 is the skip trowel texture / hand texture it is done by hand, you can order it in light, medium and heavy, light meaning almost flat in the wall and the heavier the most drywall compound it's going to have so it's going to be sticking more from the wall, but the pattern it's ...
Ceilings are being treated as the "fifth wall" in interior design, moving away from plain white to become a primary focal point. Key trends include bold colors and high-gloss paints, intricate moldings, integrated tech lighting, and natural materials.
Are textured walls out of date? Yes, textured walls are becoming outdated. Builders and consumers are moving away from them because they absorb light, make spaces feel smaller, and create challenges for cleaning and repairs. Smooth walls are now the preferred choice for a modern, sleek, and brighter look.
Excellent alternatives to drywall for ceilings include PVC panels, plywood, and wood planks. These options are much faster to install because they do not require taping, mudding, or sanding. They are lightweight, durable, and highly moisture-resistant, making them perfect for garages, basements, or bathrooms.
Depending on the texture, they can look dated or out of style. Popcorn ceilings, for example, are near-universally loathed, with most people considering them a mistake that should be left in the past. There's also potential health concerns with older homes, as textured ceilings pre-1980s often contain asbestos.
To hide ceiling imperfections, use a flat, matte, or dead-flat sheen. These finishes absorb light rather than reflecting it, effectively camouflaging bumps, dips, and texture flaws. Avoid semi-gloss or high-gloss paints, as their reflective surfaces highlight every single flaw on the ceiling.
We are 5 - 6 a sqft to scrape, skim coat, prime and paint. It's much more work to go flat on a ceiling than knockdown texture. You could end up painting walls as well.
The cost to texture walls and ceiling is $0.80 to $2.00 per square foot, which is $450 to $1,000 per bedroom and $600 to $1,400 for a living room. Retexturing walls costs $1.80 to $3.80 per square foot, including old texture removal. The cost to smooth textured walls is $1 to $3 per square foot.
Some people add a small amount of dish soap to drywall mud to reduce surface tension, which helps release air bubbles and create a smoother, more even finish, especially when applying the final "skim coat"; however, this practice is not recommended by professionals as it can potentially weaken the adhesion of the mud ...
Suspended ceiling – made of plasterboard, it allows you to completely cover the unevenness of the ceiling and add a modern look to the interior. Painting the ceiling – using textured paint or special painting techniques can help to hide small imperfections.
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
Yes, textured walls can decrease a home's resale value, particularly in regions where smooth walls are standard, as they are often viewed as dated or difficult to repair. While common in some areas (e.g., the Southwest), heavy textures like popcorn or knock-down can reduce value by $500–$1,000 per 500 square feet due to removal costs.
For 2026, white interior and exterior paints are trending towards warm, soft, creamy off-whites that feel welcoming and timeless but that doesn't mean more stark, cool whites are out.
Interior design in 2026 rejects stark minimalism and cool grays, focusing instead on warmth, deep earthy tones, and layered textures. The current aesthetic heavily prioritizes coziness, traditional detailing, and sustainable materials to create curated, "lived-in" spaces over ultra-luxurious, showroom-like environments.
The most common ceiling textures are Knockdown, Orange Peel, and Popcorn. Knockdown is currently the most popular choice for balancing style and flaw concealment, while popcorn remains common in older homes.
Whether a ceiling should be lighter or darker than the walls depends on your space's size and desired mood. Generally, ceilings should be 20% lighter to make rooms feel open, but darker ceilings are increasingly used to create cozy, intimate, or dramatic environments.
Skip trowel texture is the easiest ceiling texture for beginners! In today's video you learn how to skip trowel texture to create the best ceiling texture for DIY'ers to do. Skip trowel is great to update ugly ceilings or for after popcorn removal.
Again, we can look to Joanna Gaines for inspiration. Everyone knows that she is incredibly fond of shiplap as a design material, as evidenced by many of the homes featured on her popular show "Fixer Upper." But she's also been known to use other types of wood, such as cedar, as an accent wall material.
Fiber Cement Boards. Fiber cement boards are a strong drywall alternative that offers both durability and design flexibility. These boards blend cement, sand, and cellulose fibers to create a tough building product that works better than regular gypsum boards in many ways.