Texture Tricks to Hide Wall Imperfections

If you’re living in an older home, especially a much older home, your walls may have weird lumps and bumps. And worse, no amount of sanding and spackle seem to fix them.

Of course, you can hang artwork to cover them up (and we’re all for that), but you can’t hang art everywhere.

Instead, try these wall textures to cover up architectural imperfections and cosmetic blemishes and create a style that’s all your own.

We’ll start with a classic.

Popcorn

Quite possibly the most well-known type of drywall texture, popcorn walls and ceilings became popular in the 1960s as an easy way to hide any imperfections, which made it attractive to builders.

Popcorn is making a comeback. Why? It’s also an acoustic texture, which means it has excellent noise-dampening properties in rooms with speakers or other sound components. It also helps with sound quality during Zoom calls or podcast recordings, contributing to its resurgence.

Comb

The comb texture gets its name from the pattern it makes that resembles a hair comb drug through wet plaster to create wider arcs, like a rainbow shape, or overlapping concentric circles.

The most popular pattern is a repeating half-fan shape that resembles a fish-scale pattern. Perfect in a vintage-inspired room with art deco elements.

Orange Peel

One of the most common wall texture types because it offers a classic style. If you’ve ever held an orange or any other citrus fruit, you know precisely what this texture looks and feels like. Orange peel wall texture has a similar feeling.

Knockdown

Knockdown texture takes orange peel a step further. Whereas an orange peel finish is more distinct, knockdown smooths over or “knocks down” the surface to a smoother finish that looks a bit like stucco. This makes it great for those who want a warm, rustic feeling.

Sand Swirl

This is a texture you either love or hate. Its informality makes it a whimsical choice for game rooms or a child’s room. Others may wonder if your plasterer forgot to finish smoothing the walls.

Skip Trowel

This finish is made of mud or plaster. It’s a striking artful look that’s difficult to create. A large curved knife is used to apply the material, then the knife is held at an angle and “skipped” against the surface of the wall.

Best leave this one to the professionals.

Slap Brush

Also known as stomp brush or crow’s feet, slap brush texture has a unique yet natural look that would fit in with a craftsman-style home.

Drywall mud is applied in a thin, even layer, and then a stiff-bristle brush is slapped against the wall, creating a rigid, intricate texture. It’s ideal for those who prefer a fun time over perfect walls.

Slap Brush Knockdown

No, this isn’t a wrestling move. Use the slap brush method above, wait about 15 minutes, then drag a drywall knife across the highest ridges to knock them down. Ideal for Mediterranean and Southwestern style decor.

Rosebud

Similar to the slap brush technique, rosebud is created using a round stippling brush with thick bristles to pounce a pattern in the plaster or drywall.

Unlike the slap brush technique in which the brush marks overlap, the rosebud texture is significantly more precise. You want each round impression to be clear and distinct, making it a romantic touch for the bedroom or sunroom.

Hawk and Trowel

This technique resembles flowing waves and gets its name from the tools used during the application process. A trowel is a flat metal tool, often in a rectangular shape. A hawk, on the other hand, is a flat metal plate with an attached handle.

Adding texture to walls is a great way to add personality and intrigue to your living space. Textured walls also minimize noise between rooms, add a finishing touch to the interior design, and provide long-lasting protection that will save you the time and hassle of painting your walls regularly.