Are you tired of that old, flat wall that badly needs a makeover? Perhaps you’re just looking for a way to improve your interior spaces with textured walls?
Fortunately, you can start a DIY project creating wall textures no matter what type of wall you have at home.
There are several wall texture types to choose from, and all it takes is a few practice sessions to create the attractive finish you desire.
While you may be creative enough to create new textures from scratch, we’re here to discuss 23 popular wall texturing techniques.
Take a close look at each of them, and you might just find a suitable design for your project wall.
23 Popular Wall Texture Types
The following compilation lists texture types from the simplest to the most complicated application technique.
As such, you will find that you will need more tools and materials the further down you read.
Some of these texturing techniques share a similar set of tools and materials. However, if you do it right, you will notice that they will produce varying results.
1. Cardboard Application
The cardboard application technique, also known as cardboard texture, uses a rudimentary tool—a cut or torn cardboard piece.
The best cardboard you can use is one with flat outer layers and a corrugated middle layer.
Choose a piece stiff enough for effortless application, and cut the application edge at an angle to expose the corrugated layer.
The ridges or channels on the corrugated layer will be responsible for creating the texture.
Use a trowel to scoop and apply your plaster or drywall compound onto the wall surface.
Then, spread the material with the cardboard piece in the direction of your choice, and create your pattern.
2. Comb Texture
To create a combed texture, you will need a toothed trowel to spread the drywall mud.
The teeth on the edge of the trowel will produce small parallel indentations as you apply the compound.
The most popular patterns utilizing this texture comes in the form of overlapping semicircular or fan-shaped arrays.
However, you can stick to creating consistent parallel ridges or stripes using this technique.
3. Slap Brush Texture
As the name suggests, the slap brush drywall texture involves slapping the side of a paintbrush up against drywall mud already applied to a wall.
Depending on the type of brush and slapping technique you use, you can produce various patterns.
4. Rosebud Texture
The rosebud texture is a variation of the slap brush drywall texture.
To achieve it, you will need a round-stippling brush with thick bristles, and your drywall compound should have a liquid, watery consistency.
Instead of applying the compound evenly onto the entire wall, do it one section at a time.
Dredge your brush in the drywall mud and firmly slap it in different directions against the wall section with the compound.
5. Crow’s Feet Texture
Another variation of the slap brush and rosebud textures is the crow’s feet texture.
To do this, you will want to follow the same method for the rosebud texture but use a crow’s foot brush.
6. Thick Layers Texture
The so-called thick layers texture is as simple as applying icing on a cake.
Instead of spreading the drywall compound evenly and creating patterns using tools, you will need to slab overlapping thick layers.
With this technique, you can imitate the appearance of wet sand, tree bark, or waves.
Furthermore, you can add an extra artistic dimension by experimenting with gradients and colors.
7. Scarred Texture
Producing a scarred texture is similar to applying thick overlapping layers of drywall compound.
However, you will have to emulate scars by leaving thick lines along the edges of your layers.
You can also use the tip of your trowel to scar the surface of the drying material.
When doing this, make sure that the compound is still wet so that you can produce the scars with ease.
8. Right Angled Texture
Another variation of the thick layers texture is the right-angled texture.
Instead of keeping the thick layers overlapping, spread the compound evenly with your trowel at a right angle against the wall.
Doing so leaves thick, pronounced lines of compound along the edges after each drag.
As a result, the thick lines will create geometric shapes that can bring a flat wall to life.
9. Popcorn Texture
While interior finishers generally reserve the popcorn texture to create popcorn ceilings, you can also apply it to walls.
It performs very well to cover up uneven corners and surfaces that you don’t want or can’t repair easily.
The popcorn texture uses thick applications of drywall mud to emulate the appearance of closely spaced popcorn.
Because of the thick finishing material, this drywall texture works well to dampen sound, making it perfect for home theaters in living rooms.
Many sources say you will need a compressor and a hopper gun to produce the popcorn texture.
However, you can find special rollers that reproduce the texture as long as you have the right drywall compound thickness and consistency.
10. Skip Trowel Texture
The skip trowel texture requires randomly applying thin layers of drywall mud onto a wall with a trowel and using another trowel to create patterns.
After several random placements of the compound, you spread the material while skipping some spaces by lifting the trowel at random locations.
This technique is ideal for bringing out your creativity.
Basically, it creates a unique texture with random features that can be difficult to reproduce anywhere else.
11. Hawk and Trowel Texture
Instead of using two trowels, the hawk and trowel texture uses a hawk with a trowel.
You use the hawk to hold large amounts of drywall mud, and you scoop varying amounts from it using the trowel.
Then, you will form the compound into an artistic texture by swiping the trowel onto the wall surface in swirls or lumps.
12. Monterrey Drag Texture
The Monterrey drag texture involves evenly applying drywall compound onto a wall and letting it set.
You do not want to let the material dry completely. Instead, begin dragging and removing some of it using a trowel or putty knife.
13. Tuscan Wall Texture
Venetian plaster requires an application of thin layers of plaster and marble dust to produce an entirely smooth color gradient surface.
The Tuscan wall texture uses the same technique but with more protrusions from the material.
14. Sand Swirl Texture
To create the sand swirl texture, you will have to use a mixture of primer and sand, also called perlite.
In addition, you will also need a wide paintbrush to make swirls on the wall.
Apply the perlite with the brush as you would with the cardboard application or comb texture.
You will find that the texture is different because of its more sedimented appearance due to the sand.
15. Spray Sand Texture
The spray sand texture uses the same materials like the sand swirl texture.
However, the only way to create the surface efficiently is by using a stucco or mortar sprayer.
16. Orange Peel Texture
A wall with an orange peel texture appears precisely as it sounds—it resembles the rind of an orange.
The best way to produce an orange peel texture is to apply the drywall compound with an air compressor and a hopper gun with an air-adjustable valve.
17. Knockdown Texture
The knockdown texture requires knocking-off or flattening out portions of the drywall compound applied using the orange peel or slap brush technique.
In addition to the tools necessary for producing the original texture, you will need an 18-inch or wider knockdown knife.
18. Lace Texture
Creating a lace texture requires affixing a lace template onto a wall before applying the drywall mud.
While having a disposable template can be challenging, the application is as simple as spreading material evenly and peeling off the template as it dries.
19. Faux Brick Texture
If you want a more industrial look on an interior wall, you can cover it with faux brick panels and add several plaster coatings.
The finish appears as if you just knocked off a pre-existing brick wall.
20. Shiplap Texture
Your living rooms can have a classic farmhouse-style appearance using the shiplap texture.
However, it requires cladding planks, painting them, or creating excruciatingly parallel ridges onto evenly applied drywall compounds to resemble overlapping panels.
21. Slate Wall Texture
Instead of creating horizontal shiplap planks, the slate wall texture uses randomly shaped wooden slates mounted onto the walls in a pattern of your choice.
You will have to paint the material after installing everything in place.
22. Architectural Panels
Like wooden slates, architectural panels are pre-fabricated implements that require mounting and painting.
While this may seem the most straightforward approach, it can make you spend much more than you think.
23. Textured Wallpaper
Unlike all the alternatives, textured wallpaper can be challenging because of the air that can accumulate under the surface.
If you don’t do it properly, you will have air bubbles that will ruin the texture of your wallpaper.
What Kind of Wall Texture is Best?
Deciding on a wall texture requires considering your skills, the availability of the materials needed, and your budget.
The best wall texture you could use is a texture that feels easy to reproduce and doesn’t use plenty of materials.
Similarly, you will also have to consider your purpose for applying the texture.
If your focus is purely aesthetic, the best option is pretty subjective.
However, if you’re looking to add some soundproofing, go for the options that use thick layers and diffusive surfaces.
On the other hand, if you’re looking at a tight budget, the best options are those that use the least material.
What Is a Popular Wall Texture?
The popcorn texture is probably the most timeless and classic drywall texture, making it the most popular choice.
Other options, including the orange peel texture and knockdown texture, are more like derivatives but are also very popular.
From a modern perspective, the more popular options include Venetian plaster, the slate wall texture, architectural panels, and the crow’s feet texture.
More contemporary walls tend to be flat and blank, and they focus on color to accentuate a part of a room.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that wall texturing techniques is a learned trait that requires a lot of practice.
Therefore, you should not expect to master the skill instantly or that it will look perfect during your first try.
Create samples and test runs on smaller pieces of drywall material before applying your chosen texture onto its final destination.
Moreover, acquire some tricks and tips from experts, as their advice can help you avoid wasting time and materials.
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