How to Texture a Ceiling
You’re thinking of painting your ceiling, but you realize it still looks boring even with the lovely color you used. If you’re an artistic person, why not texture your ceiling to give it a bold and dramatic look? It’s messy work, but the results will be worth it. Here’s what to do.
What You’ll Need:
Drywall joint compound
Drop cloths
Plastic sheeting
Soft-bristled brush
Stencil
Sponges
Old paintbrushes
Taping knife
Stepladder
Procedure:
Go to the nearest hardware and buy a bucket of pre-mixed drywall joint compound. This is also found in lumberyards or at your local home improvement center. If you don’t have straight-edge trowel or a taping knife, buy either of these, too. You’ll need it to spread the compound on the ceiling. If you want a rough look, though, you can just use your hand.
Clear as much furniture as you can from the room you’re going to texture. Remove light fixtures on the ceiling, too. Afterwards, cover the floor and the remaining furniture pieces with drop cloths.
If your ceiling has wallpaper on it, strip it away. Don’t texture over it, because the drywall compound’s high moisture content might cause the paper to let go of its hold, making a bigger mess. If your ceiling is painted, though, you’re all set. Drywall compound adheres to painted ceilings well.
Begin by edging the whole ceiling using a thin layer of your drywall compound. A layer that’s at least 1/8 inch will do, unless you want a rougher texture, which means you’ll have to thicken it a bit. Don’t worry if you get different thicknesses. After all, you’ll want a variety of texture on your ceiling.
Use different methods to make the texture you want. Use sponges to swirl or stroke the wet surface or use old paintbrushes to create patterns. For a pre-created design on the ceiling, using a stencil is a great idea. Even your fingers can create designs.
Alternately apply the compound and texture, until you cover the whole ceiling.
Some Tips:
If you have a big space to cover, apply the drywall compound in small areas at a time.
Thin down the joint compound with a small amount of water, so it’ll be spreadable. It should still be firm enough not to run off the knife, though.
If any joint compound gets on your walls, wipe it off with a damp rag.
Adding color to the compound before putting it on the ceiling gives a more dramatic and colorful effect.
Add a lovely and artistic look to your ceiling by adding texture to it. As long as you follow this method, your ceiling will no longer look boring.