Wall textures are designs commonly used to conceal architectural imperfections, finish interior surfaces, and add charm and personality to a house’s interiors. It’s become a popular technique for homeowners and builders, which have been in and out of fashion over the years in the industry,

If you’re planning to upgrade your existing walls for your farmhouse and do wall texturing, you need to know the numerous wall texture types and the necessary information for each one.

Before deciding, take a look at the various wall textures for farmhouses and the methods behind them to figure out which wall texture will work for you and suit your house’s overall appearance.


Different Types of Wall Texture

Here are some of the best wall textures for farmhouses you can consider when choosing.

1. Popcorn

Popcorn wall texture, also referred to as cottage cheese texture, was one of the most popular wall textures during the mid 20th century and is still one of the well-known types today. 

This wall texture helps conceal flaws or imperfections in the wall and is low-maintenance as it doesn’t require touch-ups, making it a good choice for homeowners and builders.

It’s also commonly known as acoustic texture due to its thickness and soundproofing properties, making it an ideal wall texture for areas needing noise dampening options, such as living rooms, studios, and bedrooms. It’s also commonly used for ceilings.

The signature look of the popcorn texture is created by combining the popcorn drywall texture with polystyrene, Styrofoam, and water. When applying, use a compressor and texture sprayer gun.

However, one of the popcorn wall texture drawbacks is that it’s difficult to remove.

2. Orange Peel

Orange peel is one of the most common types of wall texture. Its texture resembles the orange rind patterns with gentle dimples and mounds, which creates a classic look.

In addition, it’s easy to apply, making it a practical choice for homeowners and builders in wall texturing projects. 

Before application, clean, prime, and sand the walls first to ensure a smooth texture and the orange peel wall texture to stick on the surface. Next, a drywall mud compound must be thinned with water to achieve a pancake batter consistency.

A spray gun and compressor with an air-adjustable valve are needed to apply, but you may also use a roller to go over the surface. Small splatters are recommended and slowly move towards heavy splatters to create the desired patterns or textures in the wall. After the first coat dries, repeat the process for the second coat. Don’t forget to paint and prime the textured wall after drying.

3. Comb

The comb is a popular and classic wall texture technique produced by creating various lines and shape patterns in a drywall compound resembling hair comb marks.

This wall texture has several styles available, including rainbow shapes, wide arcs, and overlapping concentric circles. The most popular comb wall textures are the rainbow arc and half-fan style with fish-scale patterns. 

Comb texture can be achieved using a drywall compound, a drywall trowel with evenly or unevenly spaced teeth), and a roller. First, use a roller to apply the drywall compound, and then use the toothed drywall trowel to create the desired comb wall texture. Let it dry for 24 hours and paint and prime after. 

4. Knockdown

The knockdown texture is also one of the easiest wall texture techniques used. It creates rustic patterns similar to the stucco finish look that adds depth and warmth to a space, making it an ideal choice for Mediterranean-inspired farmhouses.

This wall texture is pretty much the same as the orange peel texture but with additional steps. It requires cleaning, preparing, and priming.

Create dimpled or mounded textures like the orange peel by spraying the drywall compound mixture and then flatten the peaks and smoothen the bumps using a finishing knife, a trowel, or a knockdown knife. The term “knockdown” references the flattening process created by the tool, hence the name. 

After the flattening process, leave the wall texture for it to dry overnight and then prime and paint after. 

5. Spray Sand

The Spray sand is similar to the orange peel wall texture, but it uses a different compound mixture and method. Instead of a drywall compound, this type of wall texture uses a bag of sand, primer, and water to utilize this technique.

Before the application, ensure to stir the mixture well and let it sit overnight to settle and avoid cracking. Apply the mix the next day using a spray gun, brush, or a trowel, depending on your preferences. 

Spray sand texture takes a lot of time and patience, but it creates a consistent and durable surface with no cracking.

6. Sand Swirl

The sand swirl is a wall texture combination of comb and spray sand textures using perlite compound with primer and paintbrush or thick bristle brush. 

To achieve the sand swirl texture, use the thick bristle brush to apply the swirls, spirals, or the rainbow-shaped fan pattern similar to the comb wall texture before the mud hardens.

You may also dip the paintbrush into the perlite mix and swirl like paint to create a bump texture. Repeat the process until the surface is completely covered, and let it dry for 24 hours. After the drying period, you may start priming and painting the wall.  

7. Slap Brush

lap brush, also known as the crow’s feet or stomp brush, consists of various patterns using different slap brushes and implemented slapping techniques. A drywall compound, slap brush (drywall texture brush), and rollers are the necessary materials for this wall texture. 

Before application, the drywall compound with water until the consistency is similar to thick paint, and apply the mix in a thin coating evenly onto the wall using the roller.

Begin firmly slapping with the brush while the compound is still wet, and repeat the process until the wall is covered. It’s okay if the patterns overlap since it can create a ridged and almost petal-like flower appearance. Finally, Prime and paint the wall surface after 24 hours of drying it.


Why Wall Texture is Good for Your Farmhouse

When you’re renovating or customizing your farmhouse, experimenting with different wall textures can add charm and character to elevate your interior’s aesthetic appeal. It’s also a great way to cover cracks, imperfections, or flaws in the walls, helps reduce noise, and protects the structural designs due to its durability. 

Choosing the right wall texture for your farmhouse must be done with critical observation to prevent a mismatch in style and needs.

Each different wall textures mentioned above have its advantages, so the best wall texture for your farmhouse will boil down to which you prefer. If you decide to add a wall texture, you may use the information we provided above and the options available to help you decide.

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Matt Greenfield

Matt Greenfield is an experienced writer specializing in home improvement topics. He has a passion for educating and empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about their properties. Matt's writing focuses on a range of topics, including windows, flooring, HVAC, and construction materials. With a background in construction and home renovation, Matt is well-versed in the latest trends and techniques in the industry. His articles offer practical advice and expert insights that help readers tackle their home improvement projects with confidence. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned professional, Matt's writing is sure to provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

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