While modern trends tend toward flat walls and a focus on wall color, adding a unique wall texture can add character to any room in your home. It's important to understand the different types of wall textures and their applications before making a final decision on your textured style. Achieving the perfect look can require some experimentation, but it will ultimately be worth it when you create a room that stands out from the rest.
The most common type of wall texture is orange peel, a simple and classic style that resembles the skin of an orange with gentle dimples and mounds. This texture is sprayed on the surface and is easy for builders, contractors, and homeowners to work with. Orange peel is also great for hiding imperfections, and it's a popular choice for new construction or rental homes that need a quick and inexpensive fix.
Another wall texture idea that is often used in ceilings is popcorn. While this texture is timeless, it can be difficult to paint and can easily collect dirt and cobwebs. The good news is that you can tone down the bumpy texture by sanding it down before applying a fresh coat of paint.
Stomp knockdown is a very rustic wall texture that can add depth and warmth to any space. It's easy to achieve and can be a DIY project, but it's important to prep the surface properly before spraying the texture material. This type of texture is not ideal for rooms with a lot of furniture and decor.
Those looking for a more modern and subtle wall texture can turn to slap brush. This technique is named after the slapping motion used to apply it and results in a pattern that looks reminiscent of fabric. Using a base and glaze coat, the texture can be altered with the use of additional color to achieve different effects.
A more controlled variation on the slap brush texture is called rosebud. This style features a pattern of arches that are alternately stacked on top of one another. The result is a floral-like appearance that can add a touch of femininity to any room.
To create a more modern texture, you can try faux fabric. This design uses a combination of base and glaze coats to produce a pattern that's similar to a fabric finish. The key to this wall texture is a contrast between the base and glaze colors.
The comb wall texture is highly customizable and offers a variety of styles that can add movement to your room. Rather than using a roller, a toothed drywall trowel is used to comb the mud on a wet surface. This can create a wide range of patterns, from rainbow-like arcs to half-fan and fish-scale shapes. The comb texture can be painted in a variety of colors and can be accentuated with the addition of stencils. The possibilities are truly endless. You can even try a lace texture that's created by affixing a lace template to the wall before applying the mud.