Staring at your walls and thinking they looked boring. Plain, flat, drywall can make even the nicest room feel lifeless.
Texture changes everything. It adds depth. It hides imperfections. And it can completely turn how a space feels without breaking the bank. Different drywall textures offer something for every style.
Maybe you want that classic popcorn ceiling look. Or perhaps you prefer smooth, modern finishes.
In this blog, you will see the most popular drywall textures and their characteristics.
You’ll learn where it works best, and how to choose the right one for your home.
What are Drywall Textures?
Drywall textures are the finish applied to your walls after installation. Think of it as the final coat that gives your walls character.
Contractors install smooth, flat drywall.
Different drywall textures add pattern and depth by mixing joint compound with water and, sometimes, sand, and applying it by spraying, rolling, or hand application.
Texture serves two purposes.
- First, it hides tape lines and imperfections from the drywall installation.
- Second, it adds visual appeal to your rooms. Some textures are subtle.
Others are bold and pronounced. The style you pick affects how light plays across your walls and the overall feel of your space
Various Techniques
Different application methods create different looks. Here are the main techniques contractors use to texture drywall.
Spraying
This method uses a hopper gun or texture sprayer to quickly apply compound to walls, ideal for popcorn and orange peel finishes.
Proper equipment and practice are needed for consistent results.
Rolling
Contractors use textured rollers dipped in thinned joint compound to create patterns on walls.
This beginner-friendly method requires modest tools and is ideal for adding subtle texture without complex equipment or extensive training.
Hand Application
Using trowels, brushes, or sponges manually creates texture, offering control over pattern and depth.
Hand techniques like skip trowel, knockdown, and swirl give customization.
Stomping
You press a brush or stomp pad into wet compound to add texture, leaving raised patterns when you lift it.
Ideal for rosebud or crow’s foot textures, it’s simple but physically demanding in large rooms.
Different Drywall Textures and Their Characteristics
Popular drywall texture options, each one brings its own style and benefits to your walls.
1. Smooth Texture
The smooth, flat texture is very modern and reveals any imperfection, making it popular in modern and high-end buildings.
It costs more due to the skilled labor required.
Visual Appeal: Clean, modest, and sleek for modern spaces.
2. Orange Peel Texture
Orange peel gets its name from its resemblance to citrus skin, with small bumps evenly covering the surface.
Contractors spray this texture quickly and affordably, hiding minor wall flaws. It’s one of the most common drywall textures in U.S. homes.
Coverage Ability: Masks imperfections while maintaining a relatively smooth feel.
3. Knockdown Texture
Knockdown begins as a sprayed texture, then is troweled to create a mottled, stucco-like look.
It’s subtler than popcorn but bolder than orange peel, ideal for Southwestern and Mediterranean homes. It offers visual interest and practicality and can be used as a ceiling texture.
Pattern Style: Creates irregular, flattened peaks for a stucco effect.
4. Popcorn Texture
Popcorn texture, with prominent bumps, was popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
It absorbs sound, reducing noise, but has fallen out of favor due to dust collection and an outdated look.
Sound Quality: Reduces echo and noise in rooms effectively.
5. Skip Trowel Texture
Skip trowel offers a hand-crafted, Old World look with irregular, artistic patterns.
Contractors apply joint compound in random strokes, leaving some areas bare to create a Mediterranean or Tuscan feel. It’s labor-intensive but adds stunning depth.
Application Method: Hand-applied with a trowel for artisan appearance.
6. Swirl Texture
Swirl texture creates circular patterns on walls by moving a brush or roller in arcing motions, popular in the 1980s.
The size varies, adding movement and interest to plain surfaces.
Design Element: Circular patterns create rhythmic flow across surfaces.
7. Slap Brush Texture
The slap brush texture uses a large brush pressed into wet compound, leaving distinct marks that create a bold, textured, organic look with dimension. Also called a crow’s foot or a stomp brush.
Depth Factor: Creates pronounced three-dimensional surface variations.
8. Comb Texture
Comb texture uses a notched tool dragged through wet compound, creating parallel, rainbow, straight, curved, or criss-crossed lines.
It’s a vintage style adding character, ideal for rustic or farmhouse interiors.
Line Formation: Produces uniform or patterned grooves for a classic look.
9. Sand Swirl Texture
Sand swirl mixes fine sand with joint compound, applied in circular motions.
It offers extra grip and sparkle, being coarser than regular swirl texture. Popular in the 1970s and 1980s for construction.
Surface Feel: Rough, gritty finish with light-reflecting sand particles.
10. Rosebud Texture
Rosebud texture creates flower-like wall patterns by repeatedly pressing a brush or stomping tool, adding cottage charm.
It requires patience and consistent pressure for uniformity.
Decorative Quality: Floral-inspired stamps add whimsical character throughout.
11. Hawk and Trowel Texture
Hawk and Trowel is an Italian plaster technique in which contractors use a trowel to spread compound in sweeping motions, creating a smooth finish with subtle variations in sheen. It requires skill.
Finish Type: Polished appearance with slight irregularities.
12. Lace Texture
Lace texture creates a delicate, web-like pattern by lightly dragging tools through thin compound, resembling fabric lace.
It’s subtle, feminine, and adds softness, space, and demands attention.
Subtlety Level: Fine, intricate webbing for gentle visual interest.
13. Santa Fe Texture
Santa Fe texture mimics adobe walls in Southwestern architecture, with thick compound in irregular patches.
Earthy, it features bold variations in thickness, pairing well with desert-inspired decor and calm colors.
Regional Style: Adobe-inspired finish for an original Southwestern atmosphere.
14. Splatter Knockdown Texture
Splatter knockdown starts with sprayed spots, then contractors flatten peaks for an artistic, irregular look.
Each wall is unique, giving your home a custom character.
Randomness Factor: Unpredictable patterns create one-of-a-kind wall surfaces.
15. Stomp Knockdown Texture
Stomp knockdown uses a special pad pressed into wet compound. After stomping, contractors use a knife to knock down peaks and create an irregular pattern.
It’s bolder than orange peel but softer than popcorn. The texture adds dimension and stays low-maintenance.
Maintenance Ease: Easy to clean while providing good visual texture.
16. Skim Coat Texture
Skim coat applies a thin layer over the existing texture, smoothing the surface without making it perfectly flat.
Contractors use this to update outdated textures, as it’s cheaper than complete removal. It bridges textured and smooth finishes.
Update Potential: Modernizes old walls without extensive demolition work.
17. Slap Brush Knockdown Texture
This combines slap brush with knockdown techniques; contractors stomp the brush and flatten peaks immediately, creating a softer.
Less pronounced texture that remains interesting without being dramatic.
Intensity Level: Moderate texture suitable for various design preferences.
18. Venetian Plaster Texture
Among the different drywall textures, Venetian plaster creates a smooth, marble-like finish with a slight sheen and depth.
Contractors apply thin coats and burnish them, giving a luxurious look. Originating in Italy, it remains popular in upscale homes for a refined appearance.
Luxury Factor: A premium finish that mimics polished marble surfaces beautifully.
19. Spray Sand Texture
Spray sand texture uses fine sand particles sprayed in an orange-peel pattern, adding sparkle and grip.
It’s coarser than standard textures, common in apartments and rentals in the past decades.
Grip Quality: Provides traction and shimmer from embedded sand.
20. Hand Trowel Texture
This fully hand-applied texture uses wide, random trowel strokes to create an organic, soft flow across the wall. It offers calm without heavy buildup.
Pattern Type: Natural, uneven movement for a casual look.
21. Brocade Texture
Brocade texture resembles fabric patterns. Contractors press rollers with raised designs into the compound, creating an embossed wallpaper look.
It’s formal and decorative, adding a sense of calm to dining rooms, entryways, and living areas.
Formality Level: Ornate, fabric-inspired patterns for distinguished rooms.
DIY Drywall Textures vs. Hiring a Professional
Should you texture your own walls or call a professional? It depends on your skill level and the project size.
DIY texturing saves money upfront. You’ll only pay for materials and rental equipment.
Simple textures like orange peel or knockdown are beginner-friendly. But mistakes are hard to fix. You might end up with uneven patterns or visible flaws.
Hiring a pro costs more but guarantees quality results. Professionals have years of experience and proper tools.
They work faster and handle tricky spots well.
Techniques like skip trowel or Venetian plaster need expert skills. Consider your budget, timeline, and comfort before deciding. Small rooms are good for DIY practice.
Choosing the Right Texture for Your Home
- Consider your home’s overall style and existing decor first.
- Consider maintenance needs and how often you’ll clean the walls.
- Match texture choices to each room’s specific purpose and use.
- Light conditions affect how texture appears throughout the day.
- Budget constraints determine which textures are realistic options for you.
- Resale value improves with popular, easy-to-apply drywall textures.
- Climate and humidity levels influence which textures hold up best.
- Personal preference should be the final deciding factor.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the different drywall textures available for your home. Each option brings something unique to your walls.
Consider what matters the most is it easy maintenance with smooth orange peel, character with skip trowel, or budget-friendly, simple spray textures.
Take your time choosing. Look at samples in person if possible.
Hire a professional for complex patterns or large projects. Pick a texture that fits your style and start turning your space today.
