When deciding on the basic design of a room, one of the first things that naturally come up is the color and texture of the walls and ceilings. There are so many surface texture choices in homes, and all with their benefits and drawbacks. Not only do you have to decide on your walls but also the ceilings and how to coordinate them together. Walls and ceilings can be time-consuming and costly to texture, and they will set the tone for the entire room. You may begin to ask yourself, "Should the ceiling and wall textures match?". We checked out a variety of professional sources to get the answer to this query.
While it is okay to match your ceiling and wall texture, the professional recommendation is to have some contrast between the color and texture of your walls and ceilings. Identifying the separation of space from the wall to the ceiling will give a room stronger lines and more spatial definition. If the walls and ceilings are textured in the same way, it can make them appear to run into each other and cause the room to feel cluttered.
We've learned everything we could about combining room surface textures. Continue reading to find out more about textured walls, ceilings, and the best way to mix or match them.
A Textured Approach
Deciding on the surface textures of the walls and ceilings in a home is a big deal. It will directly affect the feel and design of each room. Both walls and ceiling can be textured in various styles that each provides a different design and imparts their own aesthetics. The most common types of wall texturing are comb, popcorn, orange peel, knockdown, sand swirl, and slap brush. You can learn more about the many different wall textures in our article, "7 Types Of Wall Texture For Your Home."
For most of history, walls have always had a texture because of how they were constructed and finished. Only more recently has the standard been for perfectly smooth walls and ceilings. Not long ago, plastering walls was a common practice, and that would also always give a distinctly textured finish. Because of this historical trend, some wall surface texturing has started to develop a reputation as old-school and outdated.
Mix and Match
Wall texturing can provide a few benefits that some homeowners will appreciate. Some textures help dampen sound and make a more quiet room. The added texture can also help the walls and ceilings look more lived in and classic. Depending on the market, wall texturing can improve the value of a home as well.
There are many combinations of ceiling and wall texturing that work well together. It is always best to have some contrast in any design element of a home. Because of this, the least favorable combination is to have both the ceiling and wall coated with the same exact texture. Having at least one degree of separation would help tremendously. Plain smooth walls with a textured ceiling works or even both surfaces textured but with different types of texture. Having two different textures will help separate the wall and ceiling visually.
Do You Texture Ceilings Before Walls?
It's common practice to paint the ceilings of a room before painting the walls. This rule of thumb can also be used when applying texturing. There is no practical benefit to doing this other than the order that you tape things to make the process go smoother. You don't have to texture ceilings first, but it will help reduce errors and make the taping process simpler.
Even if you are not texturing the ceiling at all, it's best to paint it so that the surfaces don't age independently. It is also fairly common to have plain walls and a textured ceiling, so it may be the only surface you have to work on. How long does it take to paint a ceiling anyways? Check out our article on this here, "How Long Does It Take To Paint A Ceiling?"
Is Textured Ceiling Outdated?
Textured ceilings, in particular, have started to develop a reputation as old-fashioned or outdated. This is mostly true because it was so common in the prior decades. You can avoid some of these connotations by trying more modern styles of texturing. Stucco or popcorn ceilings specifically can give off an older home vibe.
Textured walls don't have as much of a reputation for being old fashioned and can add much character to a room. A comb pattern texture can pair nicely with more modern fixtures in a home. Using a neutral, cool color instead of yellows or orange tones can also help not make textured walls look outdated.
What Is The Best Texture For Walls?
The complete best texture for wall textures is subjective and depends on your preference and the room's overall design. Knockdown and orange peel textures seem to be among the most common for walls. Both can be applied using a texturizing spray or by using tools. Creating knockdown texture, for example, can require you to use a special spatula. Popcorn texture, on the other hand, is most commonly identified for its application on ceilings.
Check out this knockdown spatula on Amazon.
Do Textured Walls Add Value?
Textured walls can either add or reduce the value of a home depending on a few factors. On a basic level, textured surfaces cost more to install, and therefore they can increase the value of rooms. Textures can also be used to cover up imperfections in walls and make damaged walls appear new. As an often unknown added benefit, textured walls and ceilings can also help with noise reduction in a house.
The negative side of textured walls is that not every home buyer will like the style. If a buyer must change the walls back, it may be costly, which will decrease the property's value in their eyes. It is almost always best to go with neutral modern upgrades to avoid alienating any group.
Wrapping it up
Texturing walls and ceilings can be a fun way to personalize and add character to your home. You can match your textures within a room, but it's always best to introduce some contrast. Though they may not always add value to a home, textured walls can make a room more personal to you. If you're planning to bring some texture to your rooms, try to obtain some samples and see how they would look in your space.