How to Texture a Wall to Hide Flaws: 7 Methods

Texturing a wall can hide flaws from imperfect drywall work, create a rustic look, or simply add a unique appearance to a room. It's simple to learn how to texture a wall since the techniques are similar to painting. This step-by-step guide shows you how to texture a wall with a paint roller and drywall compound or with a texture machine for larger applications.

Types of Wall Texture

Wall texture is a paste-like substance that is thicker than paint but thinner than a straight drywall compound. 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. Popular wall texture variations include:

Popcorn Texture

Popcorn wall texture exhibits prominent peaks for a dramatic texture best for hiding major wall imperfections.

Knockdown Texture

Knockdown wall texture has a smoother, flattened, marbled appearance that is easier to paint than popcorn texture.

Orange Peel Texture

Orange peel wall texture, with its lightly splattered look similar to an orange peel, is the most relaxed textured look that is easy to paint and which looks closest to a flat wall surface.

Comb Texture

Comb texture is just what it sounds like! A comb tool is used to create waves, lines, and swirls in wet paint.

Sand Swirl Texture

Sand swirl textures uses sand to create a rough texture on a swirled wall detail. The result is half circles that add movement to the wall.

Slap Brush Texture

Slap brush texture uses dry wall compound to create a fan-like stomp brush or slap brush effect on the wall.

Slap Brush Knockdown Texture

Slap brush knockdown is exactly what it sounds like—it combines both slap brush and knockdown textures for the stomp-like effect of slap brush and the marbling of knockdown.

How to Texture a Wall With a Roller

Using a paint roller is a low-cost method to create a textured wall. Before you begin, cover the floors and adjoining wall surfaces, including door and window trim, to avoid spreading texture material on finished surfaces.

1. Patch holes or chips with either drywall compound (mud) or lightweight spackle. Use compound with a drywall knife, and make it flush with the surrounding surface. Leave the patch smooth but unsanded.
2. Prime the surface with flat white latex wall paint or drywall primer, and let it cure for about two hours.
3. Mix drywall compound with water in a 4:1 ratio so it's the consistency of smooth cake batter. Use a 5-gallon bucket and a paint mixer attachment.
4. Fill a paint tray with the texture material or texture paint. Dip a paint roller into the paint tray. Roll it out on the tray. Then, roll the texture product on the walls or ceiling.
5. Reach tight areas, such as corners and edges around trim and baseboards, with a paintbrush. Dip the brush into the texture product, then dab the surface with the paintbrush.
   
6. Let the texture dry. Test for dryness by pressing your thumb into the surface, but avoid pressing too hard.
7. Roll for a second time for a bumpier, more rustic look. Try using a dry roller to pull up the partially dried material, creating a rougher texture.
8. Prime and paint the texture product after it has dried for at least two more hours. You can accelerate the drying process by increasing the heat in the room and by running a box fan on LOW speed pointed into the room.

How to Texture a Wall Using Joint Compound

A drywall knife and joint compound can be used to create a knock-down surface texture on your walls. Knockdown texture flattens the peaks of the textured surface to create a look much like textured plaster. 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.

1. Mix the joint compound using the instructions on the package to the consistency of cake batter.
2. Apply the texture to the walls with a roller.
3. Hold the drywall knife at a low angle.
4. Knock down, or flatten, the texture's peaks and ridges by running the knife across the wet drywall compound.
   

How to Texture a Wall Using a Texture Machine or Hopper Sprayer

Using a texture sprayer can apply texture to your walls quickly and has a fast dry time.

1. Rent a texture sprayer for larger, multi-room applications and for textures ranging from a fine fog to a thick knockdown or popcorn style.
2. Buy or rent a hopper-style spray gun for smaller applications of light, orange peel-style texture.
3. Texture sprayers are self-contained.
4. Hopper sprayers require an air compressor.
5. Use ordinary drywall compound mixed with water for either tool.

How to Texture a Wall Using a Sponge

Sponge painting may remind you of a DIY project from the 90s, but it's still an easy way to add texture and dimension to a wall.

1. Paint a base color on the wall.
2. Soak a sponge in an accent paint color once the paint has dried.
3. Dab the sponge on the wall in a random pattern.
4. Vary the type and shape of the sponge for different effects.

Faux Wall Texture Techniques

Create the look of wall texture with faux painting techniques.

• Venetian plaster technique: Venetian plaster is a thin putty made of limestone, marble dust, and water that creates the swirly look of natural marble.
• Rag rolling technique: Rag rolling uses old clothes or other fabric as an improvised paint roller to cover the walls, for a thick, mottled, and rhythmic appearance.

Tips For Texturing a Wall

• Avoid using a thick-nap roller cover as this picks up too much texturing compound, making it difficult to roll out.
• For time-sensitive texturing effects like knock-down, have an assistant follow you with the drywall knife as you roll out the texture.
• Glossier paint sheen accentuates the look of a textured surface; flat or matte paint softens the texture.
• Wall and ceiling spray texture in a can is a convenient product for spot-repairing small areas of textured surfaces.

When to Call a Professional

If you need to cover large areas with wall texture, it is usually best to hire a painter or decorator to create texture with an air-compressor-powered electric texture sprayer or a texture machine. Orange peel, splatter, and knock-down effects are all possible with texture sprayers. Application is rapid. Drying time takes only a few hours.