Do you have textured walls that are not looking their best? Well, you have come to the right place!Thiss pose will share how to paint textured walls in 5 simple steps. Sometimes all you need to take your room from “eh” to “I love it” is a new coat of paint. 

As far as DIY projects go, painting a room is a great one! It’s quick and easy and gives you a lot of instant gratification. If you have textured walls (knock-down, orange peel, stucco, or something similar), you may wonder if they’ll be tricky to paint. With a few tips, you will be able to paint textured walls like a pro and end up with a room you love (and are proud to say you painted).

 

Step One: Choose Your Paint

You will want to invest in high-quality paint and primer. I am a big fan of Sherwin-Williams paint, specifically the Emerald line. Sherwin-Williams often has great sales. I typically call the local store to find out when they are having their big sales and stock up on my paint then. They often offer 30% off paints.

High-quality paint will adhere to the textured wall better than builder-grade paint, making the process easier and ensuring you will be happier with the results. You should get enough for one coat of primer and two coats of paint–and a little more than you would if your walls were smooth. Textured walls require more paint for good coverage.

Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Eggshell, or Flat: Choose your Finish

What sheen should you get for your textured walls? It is really a question of personal preference. The amount of sheen the paint has refers to the amount of light it reflects back into the room.

High gloss paint has the most sheen, followed by semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, matte, and finally flat. The darker and more vibrant the paint color, the more sheen it has. So, if you choose a rich blue paint with an eggshell finish, it will look shinier than a light gray in the same finish.

Walls with less sheen cover imperfections better but are harder to clean. Walls that are glossier are easy to clean but show more divots or dents in the drywall. 

The sheen you choose for textured walls depends on whether you want to highlight the texture or make it more subtle. The glossier the paint, the more noticeable the texture will be. Semi-gloss or satin will reflect back a lot of light in the space and make the wall texture pop. On the other hand, Eggshell or matte will not draw attention to the texture and will make it blend in more.

Step Two: Prepare the Walls

Good preparation for any painting project will result in a better outcome (as much as I am usually dying to jump right in and get to work). This is even more true with textured walls. Because the texture makes the surface of the walls full of little nooks and crannies, it is easy for dust to collect, and if you paint a dusty wall, the paint will clump up with the dust.

So it’s important to clean the walls well before you start. Use a vacuum cleaning with a brush attachment and vacuum the walls from top to bottom. Then go back with mild soap, water, and a durable sponge or rag and wash the wall clean. Allow it to dry completely.

Next, repair any damage or imperfections. Using a small putty knife and a filler like this one, fill in any nail holes, cracks, or other damage you see. Allow it to dry completely and sand it smooth–very gently! If you sand too hard, you may remove the texture from the wall, leaving a smooth spot. Wipe down the wall to remove any dust from the sanding.

Remove any electrical or light switch plates, move furniture, and lay down drop cloths. 

Time to Tape

If you have a very steady hand, you may want to skip taping altogether and just carefully cut in the edges of the room. For many of us, taping off the baseboards, windows, and corners helps us get the crisp, clean edges and lines that make the room look great. Here are some tips to help you successfully apply and remove painter’s tape.

• Use good-quality tape. It does make a difference!
• Don’t apply the tape until you are ready to paint; try to remove it while it is still damp. Don’t leave it up for days (I have made this mistake). The adhesives and backing may start to break down, causing the tape to shred as you pull it off.
• Try taping off one section of the room at a time, painting it, removing the tape, and then moving on to the next section.
• Place the tape carefully and run your fingernail over the edge of it to press it down as securely as possible.
• When painting near the tape, brush the paint away from it, not toward it, so you don’t push it under the edge.

More on Taping: the Caulk Trick

When you’re taping textured walls, it’s hard to press it down enough to fully seal off every little space between the tape and the wall. This trick will help create a perfect seal.

• Carefully place the tape where you want it and press it down as well as possible.
• Run a very small bead of clear, paintable caulk along the edge of the tape. Wipe off almost all of it. You want to end up with a very thin layer of caulk right along the edge of the tape.
• Apply paint.
• Remove the tape while the paint and the caulk are still wet (this means you may have to work around the room in sections).
• The caulk seals the tape and gives you a very crisp line, and because it’s a thin layer and clear, you won’t see it!

Step Three: Prime the Walls

Primer has many jobs to do as a base coat for your wall. It covers imperfections and repairs. It blocks stains so they don’t seep through the top coat. Primer acts as a sealant, ensuring that the drywall doesn’t absorb the paint and leave a patchy, uneven finish. It is also an adhesive enabling the paint to seamlessly adhere to the wall for perfect coverage and a durable finish. 

Generally, one coat of primer will be enough for your walls. Use a brush to cut in the edges and a deep pile roller for the larger areas. Roll in a W shape and overlap the edges of the paint, watching for drips. Allow the primer to dry before moving on to your top coat.

Step Four: Paint the Walls

Now comes the fun part: painting the walls! Again, use a brush to cut in the edges. Since you’re painting textured walls, make sure to really load up the brush with paint and gently push it into the wall instead of spreading it thinly. Paint from multiple directions to ensure you’re covering all the texture. 

Next, roll on the paint using a deep pile roller. Use a generous amount of paint on the roller, but not so much that you drip paint everywhere. Roll the paint on in a W shape and overlap the edges. Use a brush to touch up any missed areas.

You will want at least two coats of paint to ensure that the textured walls are fully covered. Let the first coat dry for a few hours before starting the second coat.

Step Five: Clean Up and Marvel at Your New Space!

If you haven’t already, remove the tape. Pull it off slowly and at a 45-degree angle back onto itself. If it starts to take the paint off with it, gently score the edge of the tape with a razor blade. Wash out your brushes and rollers, replace electrical plates, and sit back and enjoy your fresh new space!

Summary

Painting textured walls is a great DIY project that will give your rooms an instant facelift. With a little preparation and some elbow grease, you can update or refresh your textured walls and make your space that much closer to exactly what you want it to be.