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6 Wall Textures to Give Your Walls a Boost
Add visual dimension or conceal flaws with these six kinds of wall texture treatments.
Giving your walls a textured finish can effortlessly elevate the aesthetic of your home without straining your budget. Not only does it infuse a distinct character into a room, but it also cleverly covers any irregularities in the drywall. However, while textured walls have their merits, they come with challenges. Specifically, they can be difficult to maintain, repaint, refurbish, or even remove if you change your mind. Not everyone might appreciate this design choice, so keep that in mind if you’re looking to sell or lease your property.
There’s a variety of textured wall treatments available, each contributing differently to a room’s ambiance. Dive in to discover the fundamentals of six popular types.
1. Orange Peel Texture
Orange peel, a timeless wall treatment, gets its name from its resemblance to the surface of an orange. It’s favored by many homeowners because of its affordability and easy application. This understated finish is achieved using two layers of drywall compound. After the initial layer dries and is sanded, a second one is sprayed on with a compressor and then rolled using a roller with a thick nap to produce a mild textured feel. From a distance, its effect is subtle, but orange peel texture is equally as effective in masking wall imperfections as more pronounced textures. The downside? Its minute crevices can be tough to clean, making it less suitable for areas like kitchens or bathrooms.
2. Knockdown Texture
Knockdown, a relaxed and rustic texture, is commonly seen on walls of Mediterranean-inspired homes. It often draws comparisons to stucco due to its flattened appearance. Its application process mirrors that of orange peel texture but incorporates an extra step. After the roller application, a broad trowel is used to flatten the peaks, yielding a sleek outcome. While the end result seems flat, the layered look brings lots of depth and flair to modern interiors. This sponge-like wall treatment is a chic way to enhance the richness and personality of a living area.
3. Comb Texture
Introduce a sense of motion with comb texture. Made using a serrated trowel on wet drywall compound, the design can be tailored based on your combing technique. A popular design is the arch-like pattern, consistently repeated across the wall, but there’s room to play with designs like spirals, undulations, bands, or crisscross patterns. The comb wall treatment offers a distinct and customized appearance, making it ideal for an accent wall. In addition, its design is often easy to correct or mend if needed. Enhance its prominence by pairing it with a vibrant wall paint.
4. Sand Swirl Texture
Infuse the serene rhythm of ocean waves into spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms with the sand swirl wall treatment. This effect is crafted using perlite primer and sand, which is then brushed onto the wall using a dense-bristled brush to achieve the captivating swirl design. Opt for structured half-fan patterns or a more relaxed series of intertwining C figures or curves. While it might remind some of the arched comb texture, sand swirl offers a smoother and more understated finish that’s simple to upkeep and repair. A satin paint complements the curvy design and works well in areas like bathrooms and kitchens due to its resilience against moisture and frequent wear.
5. Slap Brush Texture
Often known as stomp brush, crow’s foot, or stipple ceiling, the slap brush texture is characterized by its unique sunburst-like impressions formed by the brush’s extended, spread-out bristles. After rolling wet drywall compound onto the wall, use a dense slap brush to apply additional compound in a random sequence. By overlapping the slap designs, varying the thickness of the compound, using different brush dimensions and forms, and experimenting with the ‘slapping’ approach, you can achieve an attractive effect. This lively, scattered pattern infuses a space with energy and character, making it perfect for entertainment areas.
6. Skip Trowel Texture
The skip trowel wall treatment provides a rugged and inconsistent look that complements country or rustic interiors. This effect is achieved by using a curved-blade drywall trowel to spread the mud and intermittently ‘skipping’ over the wall’s surface. While its appearance might be reminiscent of knockdown texture, the skip trowel has wider gaps. By altering the balance between the rough and smooth patches, you can tailor the ambiance in a space. For instance, a largely smooth texture can bring about a tranquil feel, while a texture with more roughness adds dynamism and energy to a room.
Bonus Questions About Textured Walls
Are textured walls no longer in style? While some wall textures might be seen as passé, it’s an overgeneralization to label all textured walls as unfashionable. As with many facets of interior styling, textured walls can be as contemporary as the décor they’re paired with, allowing for a fresh take even with a traditional technique.
What type of wall texture is currently popular? The plaster wall look (or its imitation) is highly sought-after today by homeowners wanting to infuse a touch of vintage charm into their interiors. This texture provides a subtle, imperfect finish that delicately diffuses light, introducing a soft dynamism to the space.
Do textured walls affect property value? Textured walls can be a divisive design preference among homeowners, potentially influencing a home’s value based on the prospective buyer’s taste. Generally, the effect textured walls have on property value is evaluated individually for each situation.
Why do builders opt for textured walls? Primarily, textured walls serve to mask construction flaws, like visible drywall seams or uneven surfaces. Builders might choose this technique not only for concealment but also to introduce an aesthetic appeal to a standard-built home.
Why do smooth walls cost more than textured ones? Achieving a perfectly smooth wall, devoid of any visible flaws in the finish or drywall, requires more effort and precision. Not all subcontractors possess the expertise to create this look, and those who do often come with a higher price tag.
