Popcorn Ceiling Update

Michael Scott
by Michael Scott
5 Materials
$40
3 Hours
Easy

I have popcorn ceiling throughout my home. I have been wanting to update and decided to try wood planks instead of removing the popcorn ceiling altogether. I wanted to try out in small space to perfect my skill, so I chose a small bathroom. Be careful to really check the boards when purchasing. You want the ones with the best look and grip.

Mark studs

Since I planned on nailing directly over ceiling, I marked the location of studs in ceiling. I trimmed the first board so that it would be a full board and then planned on staggering boards on even rows.

Additional rows

I started with the leftover piece from first cut and cut another board to needed length. I used finishing nails and nailed to studs I had marked earlier.

Continue adding boards

I continued adding boards and trimmed them to fit around ceiling vents and light fixture. I used a miter saw to make the cuts.

Finish nailing board

I was expecting that I may need to trim the width of the last board but it actually fit perfectly. It may be necessary to trim the last board before hanging.

Trim

Next I added trim. I chose a simple l-shaped trim that would add support to boards on ceiling.

Whitewash boards

I wanted white boards but wanted to allow wood grain to show through. I used white interior latex paint and watered it down to achieve a whitewash look.

Add paint as needed

It took 3 coats to get the look I wanted.

Before/after

I am pleased with how it turned out. It was not difficult and now I will use this and maybe a few other techniques to do the rest of my ceilings.

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  • Sandy Sandy on Jun 05, 2021

    Wow what an awesome job you did and it’s a wonderful idea! Can you answer one question - as to materials. I clicked on the link for the wood you used and got an Amazon page but wasn’t sure which one worked for you. May I ask what size boards you chose since it is working overhead and the lighter the better. I don’t have much in the way of help? Thanks!

  • Sherry Clark Sherry Clark on Jun 05, 2021

    DId you use pine boards ?

  • Robert Robert on Jun 04, 2023

    What was the asbestos content of your popcorn ceiling?

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  • Christina Christina on Jun 04, 2022

    How great! “You don’t try, you don’t get” a friend of mine used to say!

    One more thing for ceilings “shot” with popcorn that are older, first send a sample in to test for asbestos. Contrary to what lawyers want you to believe, as long as asbestos isn’t disturbed, it poses no danger. However, older ceilings used that in the mix and once you start scraping you’re releasing those fibers. A lab test will cost less than $100.00 to be sure. If it does contain asbestos, better to leave it to the experts for removal.

  • River River on Jun 04, 2022

    What a great idea and job! I never thought of that before, my parents knocked it down with a heck of a mess! Looks fantastic!

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