What texture to use on a ceiling?

Author: Ms. Leatha Barrows  |  Last update: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Popular Ceiling Texture Types
  1. Knockdown: This style is created by applying texture and then partially flattening it, resulting in a mottled appearance.
  2. Orange peel: This subtle, slightly bumpy texture resembles the skin of an orange.
  3. Popcorn: While no longer trendy, this bumpy texture is still in many older homes.

What texture is best for ceilings?

A crows foot texture, also known as a Stomp Brush Texture or Slap Brush Texture is one of the easiest textures to do on a ceiling. And it hides well. NOTE: Click 'SHOW MORE' below to open up the full description.

How to texture a ceiling for beginners?

3 Answers 3 Getting a texture on the ceiling (or walls) is not done with paint. You need to spray, stomp, sponge or roll on a texture using drywall compound, or spray cans. Depending on the size of the ceiling, you can use spray cans or rent a hopper sprayer.

Is it better to roll or spray textured ceilings?

Spraying has a finer finish, but rolling is better at getting everything white. The sprayer sometimes does not get every angle perfectly, as often there are jagged edges. Using a 3/4'' or 1'' roller nap (depending on popcorn length) works very well to get into the grooves.

What is the most popular ceiling texture 2024?

What are the most popular ceiling textures in 2024? Minimalist smooth finishes, textured plaster, reclaimed wood panels, metallic accents, geometric patterns, exposed beams and coffered ceilings are some trending designs.

Try this wall painting putty texture design rope roller

What is the new trend for ceilings?

Gone are the days of the standard white ceiling. Now, deep earthy tones, vibrant primaries, and even multi-color gradients are making their way overhead. These colorful ceilings can dramatically alter the mood of a space, making rooms feel more intimate, energetic, or serene.

Is it better to have a smooth or textured ceiling?

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.

Are textured ceilings outdated?

Popcorn ceilings, once a popular design element, are now seen as outdated and unattractive. Removing them can have a significant impact on your home's aesthetics and air quality.

Do you need a special roller for textured ceiling?

When it's time to roll, use a low-nap roller for smooth ceilings and a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch nap for textured ceilings. An extension pole attached to the paint roller frame helps you reach the ceiling without a ladder.

Do professional painters spray or roll?

When a home is being built you will see professional painters using a paint sprayer. Most of the time this is because there is very little to mask off because there's no furniture and typically no flooring in the space. But in addition to spraying professional painters will also back roll.

What is the cheapest way to cover a ceiling?

A budget-friendly option to cover a textured ceiling is using paint. Simply apply a flat or matte paint over the texture for a smoother look. Another affordable choice is installing beadboard or thin plywood panels directly onto the textured surface.

What is the texture on my ceiling called?

The ceilings of many homes and apartments are not painted, but instead are coated with a substance that has a bumpy texture. It looks like this: This treatment is normally called a textured finish or an acoustic finish by builders, but most people refer to it as popcorn.

Do you paint ceiling after texture?

Painting bumpy, textured surfaces might not be the easiest task, but it isn't impossible either. With the right materials, good technique, and dedication, you can give your rough, indented walls and ceiling a fresh coat of paint. Need some help? Here's what to know about painting textured interior surfaces.

What is the best ceiling texture to hide imperfections?

Knockdown Ceilings

As the compound partially dries, it drips a bit, creating “stalactites.” These stalactites are then scraped away, leaving a stuccoed texture. Like skip trowel, knockdown is great for concealing minor imperfections or adding some subtle depth to a room.

How to texture ceiling DIY?

Steps
  1. Mix joint compound with water. ...
  2. Roll a thin layer of joint compound onto the ceiling with a roller. ...
  3. Pat the stomp brush onto the ceiling. ...
  4. Keep working in 3 by 3 ft (0.91 by 0.91 m) sections to cover the whole ceiling. ...
  5. Let the joint compound dry for 2 to 4 hours. ...
  6. Prime the textured ceiling before painting.

Why do people do textured ceilings?

They Dampen Noise – The textured, thick, and porous surface of a popcorn ceiling helps it muffle and absorb sounds. As a result, popcorn ceilings can improve indoor acoustics by mitigating ambient sounds in noisy indoor spaces such as high-traffic entryways and rooms with high ceilings.

What is the best paint for textured ceilings?

Interior acrylic-latex paint is the best type of paint to use for popcorn ceilings. Flat or matte is the traditional sheen for ceilings since it reduces light bounce. If you need to protect your ceiling from moisture, use eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint sheens.

Can you apply texture with a roller?

Another way to texture walls is with a paint roller. This is a simple technique that can be used to add textured paint or to create a faux finish.

What roller is best for ceilings?

Short pile rollers are perfect for walls, ceilings and furniture whilst long pile rollers are better suited for rougher surfaces such as pebbledash, rendered walls or artex ceilings.

What is the most popular ceiling texture?

Common ceiling texture types include comb, popcorn, and orange peel, which help improve the home's look while hiding imperfections, absorbing sound, and adding depth to the room.

Why do people not like popcorn ceilings anymore?

May Contain Asbestos

If builders installed your popcorn ceilings before 1977, then it contains asbestos. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can cause serious health issues like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Is orange peel texture outdated?

Is orange-peel texture outdated? Orange-peel texture gained popularity several decades ago. But it doesn't have to look dated today if you use a modern wall color and have an otherwise updated space.

What are the negatives of popcorn ceilings?

Popcorn ceilings offer a range of advantages, including their ability to conceal imperfections, absorb sound, and provide fire resistance. However, these benefits must be weighed against the disadvantages, such as difficulty to clean, susceptibility to damage, and potential health concerns associated with asbestos.

What type of ceiling is popular now?

Flat ceilings are by far the most popular ceilings in homes today. Also called conventional ceilings, these ceilings are usually 7 to 10 feet tall, flat and finished with drywall, then painted.

What is a bumpy ceiling texture called?

A popcorn ceiling, also known as a stipple ceiling or acoustic ceiling, is a ceiling with one of a variety of spray-on or paint-on treatments.

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