How do I match my ceiling texture where it meets the wall?

Courtney
by Courtney

Hi there! Our little fixer upper has these “lovely” textured ceilings and when our drywall was replaced the workers decided to mud up the seams. The result being a weird, flatter edge around the ceiling perimeter. We’ve been able to match the texture on larger sections, but have been struggling to find the solution for the small areas. Unfortunately removing the textured ceiling isn’t an option.

  17 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Sep 08, 2020

    This texture is achieved with mud and a brush that you "smash" against the ceiling. My husband and FIL did the ceilings in our farmhouse and although I don't care for it, I'm not re doing the ceilings. So when we had some patching done, I just used a stiff paint brush that I abused a bit to get the effect. If you get some on the wall, it can be chipped away at the edge once it is dry or wiped while still damp. So you should be able to use the same technique you used elsewhere and then do clean up on the wall.

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Sep 08, 2020

    Matching textures is incredibly difficult and there seems to always be a noticeable difference. I would put up some trim to cover that area rather than try to match the texture.

    • Courtney Courtney on Sep 08, 2020

      I was thinking of using trim to hide it, but there are some areas that are pretty wide. Plus the house is more of a starter home and I’m not sure the cost of the trim would be worth it. Thank you though!

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Sep 08, 2020

    Are you planning crown moulding? That would hide it! :)

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Sep 08, 2020

    Hi Courtney,

    I was thinking along the same line as Robyn. A way that could look elegant would be to use molding where the wall meets the ceiling. If you can find a quarter round one that looks good, it can cover the top of the wall and the edge of the ceiling. We recently used molding when a window frame was replace and the new wood wasn't as thick as the old wood. (It's no longer sold). That left a gap between the window and the wall. Rather than build the framing out to even it off, we added molding around the edge. The same principle could work for your project. Wishing you the best.

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Sep 08, 2020

    It is more noticeable due to the vast color difference at the joint.

    • See 2 previous
    • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Sep 08, 2020

      You can try to match the texture using some of the suggestions, or you can take joint compound to smooth out the existing texture. Make all adjoining ceilings the same smooth surface.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 08, 2020

    Hello there'

    You Use Coving or a Moulding to bridge the gap. Available at your Hardware Store etc.

  • Em Em on Sep 08, 2020

    Take a piece of scrap wood an practice a bit with your dry wall or joint compound. Wet a rag like and old t shirt scrap and put some compound on it. You press it onto the surface and pull straight out. The wrinkles in the shirt leave the pattern were some of the drywall is raised in a pattern. It isn't that hard. Practice a little with the amount you put on the rag and the amount of water used. You will be able to duplicate the edges. A coat of paint and no one will notice.

    • See 1 previous
    • Courtney Courtney on Sep 08, 2020

      I’ll try this out!

  • Deb K Deb K on Sep 08, 2020

    Hi Courtney, I really don't think it will be noticeable, except by you as people usually don't look up, it is a proven fact, so if you can live with it, save some work and leave it.

  • Oliva Oliva on Sep 08, 2020

    I've also seen plasterers use sponges to replicate patterns in small areas, but I like the suggestions regarding the T-shirt and crumpled foil.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Sep 09, 2020

    Adding even small crown molding would cover it. I would personally make the drywallers come back and fix it.

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Sep 09, 2020

    I would use a sander first and them repaint it.

  • William William on Sep 10, 2020

    What I have always don to match texture is use a medium paint brush and some joint compound. Dip about a quarter of the brush in the compound and stipple the ceiling with the brush.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Sep 10, 2020

    Installing crown molding is a big expensive job requiring time and skill.

    If you are not planning on living in this home for a long time, I would not advise you to take this suggestion.

  • Dee Dee on Sep 12, 2020

    Homax makes texture in a can. It is tricky to use so you have to practice but will fix your edge problems. You can buy it at Lowes or Home Depot.

    I Have used it many times when fixing tape problems


  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Sep 30, 2020

    These are made with special roller so if yu cant find that pattern I would add a beautiful crown molding where your are missing pattern