How to Use Textured Paint

Textured paint is a great way to give a quick facelift to a wall or ceiling. It is also suitable for covering any flaws or damage such as lumps and bumps from drywall jobs, holes from picture nails or any rips and tears that often result from daily wear and tear. Using textured paint can eliminate the need for plastering if your walls are particularly rough and uneven.

You may of course already have a perfectly smooth wall and just want to do something unique to give your room a new look.

There are different types of textured paint: sandstone, which is ready-mixed and gives your walls a gritty finish; smooth texture paint, which creates ridges and peaks in your paintwork; and venetian plaster – probably the most decadent of all the different finishes, it has an opaque, marbled look.

Another option are granite crystals, which you buy separately and mix into your paint. The finished product is a really magical effect with sparkling glints of light. It looks fantastic on a child’s bedroom ceiling.

Textured paint is often applied with a textured roller, which gives a great effect. But different ways of achieving textured paint finishes require different methods of application. Some paints are textured on application while others are basically just much thicker paint than regular emulsion, and these require specific tools (such as brushes or towels) to create the texture to the wall or ceiling. It is not recommended to use a paint sprayer with textured paint as the sprayer could quickly become blocked.

Do your research! Look at lots of different interior design magazines and websites for inspiration, and ask for advice at your local home improvement store if you feel you need one to one help.

Before you start, make sure you know exactly what you are doing, and take your time! It can be difficult to fix mistakes made with textured paint after you have made them! Removing or painting over textured paint can be extremely time-consuming and expensive.

For the sandstone textured paint you will need a nap roller which is made specifically for this purpose. It will come with detailed instructions which you must follow carefully.

If you are using smooth texture paint, the crucial first step is to prepare your walls properly before application. Again, make sure you familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions. You will need a stiff brush to apply the paint and also a trowel or putty knife to form the peaks and ridges. These should be formed before the paint dries; work in relatively small sections and take care to carefully blend each section into the next.

For the opulent, marble-like appearance of venetian plaster you will need to be prepared to put in a great deal of time and effort! This look of luxury does not come easily but done well, it can look amazing. It will take three layers of paint to achieve the finished look. Once again make sure you follow the instructions as each layer involves using a slightly different technique.

Good luck!