Wall Texture Types That Look Amazing 

If you want to add more personality to a room in your house, texturing your walls can be a great choice. While color can be an interesting option, wall textures can add a lot more dimension and flare to your room of choice. With so many different types and techniques, you will easily find a wall texture that fits your style. The best part of adding texture to your seemingly boring or run-down walls is that most of these techniques are DIY friendly.

Wet drywall mud that is easily transformed in a beautiful wall texture. There are many techniques and types to choose from.

Why add texture to your walls?

If you have decided to dive into this project, not only can it be fun – but adding any of these wall texture types to your rooms can have more benefits than you think.

Hiding imperfections – Your walls might have seen quite a lot over the years, and you want an easy solution to hide a few flaws here and there. This is why adding texture can be the best choice. You can do it by yourself, it’s easy to do AND it’s a perfect way to conceal every little blemish caused by wear.

Extra Protection – Completing this project means that you won’t have to go through the tedious task of painting your walls every few years, because texturing adds additional protection that lasts much longer and is more prone to wear than a plain wall.

Soundproofing – Texturing your walls also softens the noise between your rooms, making it the perfect choice for bedrooms, and even living rooms.

Depth – Smooth walls might be a more popular choice when you think of a modern interior, but adding some of these texture types to your walls can add much more dimension to any room and give it a sense of uniqueness.

If you’re still unsure of which texture type you are going for, check out our list of favorites below.

There are many benefits to texturing your walls, and the best part is that it’s easy to do by yourself.

1.Popcorn

The most well known wall texture type that was extremely popular in the 1970’s, but still remains a popular choice when it comes to spicing up your room is commonly known as popcorn. It’s affordability and DIY friendliness make it the perfect choice if you want to dive into this project on your own and on a small budget. It can make a huge difference to your room and add dimension, and it’s also one of the best choices if you’re going for a more soundproofing option. You can apply this texture to both your ceilings and walls, and both look just as great. First, you will need to purchase a popcorn texture mix, then apply the mix with a compressor and texture sprayer. However, keep in mind that popcorn texture is extremely difficult to remove, but there is an easier alternative to removing it, which is covering it with another layer of drywall.

Popcorn is a type usually applied to ceilings, but it can also look good on walls if you are looking for a more dramatic effect.

2.Orange Peel

Stating the obvious, the orange peel wall texture type looks like the rind of an orange. It’s very popular due to the fact that it is much softer than popcorn for example, but still adds an interesting detail to the walls in your home. The orange peel texture is great for larger rooms in your home because it’s more subtle, adding a gorgeous touch to your living room, dining room or even your bedroom. Applied with a compressor and texture sprayer, you can create this texture mix by thinning drywall mud with water. Once applied, you need to go over the texture with a roller and then apply another coat.

A soft orange peel texture type can look amazing not only when paired with brighter colors, but neutrals as well, as shown in the photo.

3.Knockdown

Knockdown wall texture is great if you are looking to add a stucco-like feel to your room. Perfect for rustic interiors, this texture is extremely easy to do by yourself as it doesn’t require a lot of effort or precision. Adding a contemporary feel to your walls, this scattered and messy wall texture is very popular because of how easily it’s customized to your liking. You can add a more busy texture to your walls, or keep it more simple depending on the look you are going for. This wall texture fits into rooms of any size, and the steps are quite straightforward when it comes to applying it. First, you would go through the same steps as you would for an orange peel wall, except knockdown walls have an additional step. If you are applying this texture on a larger room, you can start gently and partially flattening the orange peel texture you’ve applied with a finishing knife immediately. However, if you’ve decided to apply it to a smaller room, make sure to wait at least 10 minutes before starting the flattening process – it’s as simple as that.

The knockdown texture is one of the types that look gorgeous in industrial interiors. 

4.Comb

The comb texture has received a massive popularity growth in the recent years, due to the fact that it’s highly customizable and fitting in a large number of styles. Depending on your preferences, you can create different shapes and lines that vary in width and length. The most popular comb wall texture technique is rainbow, but you can also choose to create straight lines, circle-like designs or randomize them for a completely unique work of art on your walls. This project usually requires a two man team, so one can create the pattern on the walls with a trowel while the other applies the drywall mud on the wall with either a roller or a sprayer.

The options are endless when you choose to go with the comb technique, which is why it’s one of my personal favorites.

5.Sand Swirl

Combining two popular techniques, comb and sand spray, you can create endless designs when it comes to the sand swirl wall texture. While this DIY project might not be difficult to complete, it does require a team of two – one applying drywall mud mixed with sand to the wall and the other creating the design while it is still wet. You can create this bumpy texture with a brush with thick bristles, and you can choose to create the design in rows or even half rows.  It might be best to practise on a spare piece of drywall before you dive into the project, especially if you are going for a “cleaner” look, but creating a messier design can also add a beautiful touch to your home as well. Also, it is extremely important to wait at least 24 hours before painting your walls after applying this texture.

The sand swirl technique is perfect if you are looking to achieve a raw look in your home.

6.Slap Brush

If you want to skip the complicated process of using a spray gun, and go with a wall texture that is easily applied with a brush, the slap brush technique is the perfect choice. Not only is it easy to do by yourself, but this technique can add a gorgeous statement piece to your room of your choosing. If you are feeling artsy, want to create a unique design and have fun while doing so – you will love this process of texturing your walls. The patterns you will be ending up with will depend greatly on the brush you are using, so make sure to try your brush of choice out before you dive into the process of texturing. Apply the first coat on your wall before taking your slap brush and apply thin coats on both sides of your brush before slapping your wall. Twist and turn your brush to create a variety of patterns, and work in sections. Apply paint on your wall the next day.

Not only is it easy to do, but slap brushing looks gorgeous when paired with a large variety of different colors. 

7.Slap Brush + Knockdown

This technique is perfect for those who want a less dramatic slap brush look on their walls. Instead of visible lines, slap brush knockdown is smoother and less random if you are looking for a less textured finish. For this technique, you will be needing the same tools as you would for the slap brush one, as well as a finishing knife. Apply your first coat of drywall compound mixed with water, then go through the process of slap brushing. If you are texturing your walls in a smaller room, make sure to wait at least 10-15 minutes before going over your textured lines with your finishing knife, but if you’re working on a larger canvas, you won’t need to wait. Wait at least a day before applying color.

It is very important to give your wall enough time to dry before going in with any paint. You don’t want to ruin the design you’ve just spent hours creating.

8.Skip Trowel

Using a large curved knife, the skip trowel texture is easy to complete and can be applied by only one person. The technique itself isn’t difficult once you get the hang of it, but the tricky part is the consistency of your drywall mud. If it’s too thin and runny, it will most likely drip or fall off the wall. If it’s too thick, you won’t be able to make any design at all. When it comes to the technique, it really isn’t rocket science. Simply apply the drywall mud on your wall while making sure that your knife is at a perfect angle, because it will cause some “skips” in the walls, creating a unique design that is gorgeous in larger rooms. When paired with metallic paint, the skip trowel technique could easily become the focal point of your home interior and your favorite work of art.

Apart from getting the right consistency of your drywall mud, this technique is one of those that look complicated but are very easy to do. 

9.Crow’s Feet

Similar to the slap brush technique, the crow’s feet technique resembles, you’ve guessed it, crow’s feet – and looks amazing in a large variety of different styles of home – including modern homes as well. Don’t be fooled by the name, this technique is one of my personal favorites on this list because it can look very different depending on the brush you are using. You will need a stiff bristled brush and your drywall mud. Apply your drywall mud directly to the wall without applying any coats beforehand. Take your brush and move it left, then right, creating a soft “C” pattern and moving upwards. Work in sections and work in rows for the best results.

Depending on the brush you choose, you can receive many different results. Wide brushes and round brushes are the best for creating the crow’s feet technique. 

10. Stomp Brush

Using a stomp brush, you can easily achieve the perfect textured wall look with this type of technique. You will need your drywall mud, and of course, a stomp brush – the longer the bristles on your brush, the better, as it will be much easier for you to apply it to your wall. Dip your brush into your drywall mud and work your way upwards, basically stamping your wall with your brush in an upward motion. Repeat the same process until you have covered your entire wall with the desired texture.

If you want a cleaner type of texture for your wall, stomp brushing is the way to go. One of the easiest DIY projects on this list, stomp brushing is one of my personal favorites – especially in dining rooms. 

11. Stomp Brush + Knockdown

Knockdown is pretty popular when paired with every other technique, especially among those who want a more simple texture type in their home but still want a certain texture to begin with. The stomp brush technique can be quite dramatic, especially if you are using thicker drywall mud, so applying the knockdown technique afterwards can be the perfect solution if you want to tone it down a bit. Simply take your finishing knife and gently smooth over the texture you have just created and let me remind you once again: if you are applying this texture to a smaller room, always wait at least 10 minutes before going in with the knockdown technique.

If stomp brushing is still too much – you can always choose to tone it down by knocking down the texture you’ve just created with simple tools.

12.Rosebud

The rosebud technique can be completed with either a stomp brush or a simple slap brush, again, depending on the finished look you are trying to achieve. This texture type resembles a rosebud – hence the name. Slapping your brush against the wall and going in a circle as you are creating the pattern, or doing the same with a stomp brush will result in a petal like design that can look amazing in homes that lean towards a more rustic feel. This technique is a bit trickier to master than others on this list, so it might be best to practise first on a spare piece of drywall.

Pro tip: for a more toned down look of the rosebud texture type, use a brush with shorter bristles.

13.Lace

Also known as the “Spanish Lace” texture, this is one of the hardest texture types to achieve – but it’s definitely worth the work. You can choose to create the lace texture on your walls with one color or even multicolored. The difference is huge between the two when it comes to the result you will end up with, but the process isn’t much different. Basically, you would need to add color to your first coat of drywall mud, and then go over with the lace technique in a different color to achieve this look. You will need to make sure that the consistency of your drywall mud is just right – not too runny or too thick to ensure the best results that will last for a long time. Apply splatters in thin lines with a spray gun that you can choose to later slightly flatten to resemble a type of lace. You can go over with another splatter coat once the first one is dry for a more random look that looks even more stunning and unique and finish off everything with a color if you have decided to go the non multicolored route. Make sure to wait at least a day before going in with paint on your walls.

Lace adds elegance to your home, which is why mastering this technique could be the best decision you ever made. Always keep in mind that your textured walls don’t have to be perfect – imperfections will only contribute to the character of your home in this case. 

14.Venetian

Venetian plaster is one of the oldest technique types for wall texturing, and was one of the hardest to achieve as well. Drywall mud mixed with marble dust applied in thin layers is an ancient type of design, however, today you can find products that make the entire process much easier than it was back then, and it delivers a similar result without the need of any skills at all. The mix of drywall mud and marble dust is later sanded, before being buffed – resulting in a beautiful touch in your home that fits into any and every type of home. Perfect for every room in your home, you can customize your venetian plaster walls to your liking and applying any color to them gives a gorgeous finish.

Easy and timeless – Venetian plaster is always a great choice.

15.Hawk and Trowel

For this technique, you will be needing a hawk and trowel. With these flat tools, you will be creating a wave-like texture that can provide your home with an elegant feel. Mix your drywall compound with water and create a slightly thicker texture, but not too thick. Put some mud on the center of your hawk, and apply the mud with a trowel to the wall in even coats from left to right, making sure that the lines overlap each other. You don’t have to be precise with this technique, the messier it looks, the better. Apply paint to your walls the next day and enjoy your gorgeous textured wall.

The options are endless with the hawk and trowel texture type, make it your own and have fun with it for the best results. 

Conclusion

Depending on the look you are going for, these wall texture types can look amazing in every home. You can always go off the book and create a completely unique work of art in your home without paying much attention to the instructions, because that’s what texturing is really about. They are a perfect way of adding an interesting piece to your home, while protecting your walls, soundproofing your rooms and not using any space at all. Make sure to have fun with it, and simply dive into the world of wall texturing without worrying too much.