Painting textured walls can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether your walls have a light textured finish or a heavy texture, going over them is completely doable with the right approaches to painting. You don’t need to spend hours trying to smooth out the wall texture or remove it entirely. Instead, it’s all about choosing the right materials, prepping correctly, and following a few straightforward tips. Here’s everything you need to know about how to paint textured walls, whether you’re refreshing an old coat of paint or covering texture walls for the first time.

Preparing to Paint Textured Walls

Prepping your wall surface sets the stage for a smooth experience.

Before you grab a traditional paint brush or paint rollers, the first step is getting your textured walls ready. Proper preparation helps the paint stick and gives you better finished surfaces. Thankfully, prepping textured walls isn’t all that different from preparing smooth walls; it just takes a little extra care to reach into all those nooks and crannies.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  • Clean the surface: Dirt, dust, and grime build up over time and can make it harder for paint to adhere. Wipe down with a damp cloth or use a gentle cleaner if needed. For a surface with heavy texture you may need a clean brush to get a dust-free surface.
  • Fill holes and cracks: If there are any nail holes, dents, or cracks, use a putty knife and filler like joint compound to fix them. For textured walls, a flexible putty works best.
  • Sand lightly (if needed): If your textured walls have rough or uneven spots, a quick once-over with fine-grit sandpaper can help. Focus on the areas that stick out most.
  • Prime the surface: This is especially important if there's a strong paint color or a glossy finish. A quality primer will create a better surface to stick to and can help cover any imperfections in the physical texture.
Paint roller on stucco surface to paint a textured wall.
With the right prep, you'll love the look after painting a textured wall. Credit: Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images

How to Paint Textured Walls

Use the right tools and techniques to make painting textured walls simple.

Painting walls with physical texture requires slightly different tools than painting flat walls. Because of the uneven surface, you’ll need tools that can get into the grooves and crevices for even coverage nicely finished surfaces. Here are some tips to make the process easier:

  1. Choose the right paint roller: Opt for a thick-nap paint roller designed for textured surfaces. The thicker the physical texture, the longer the roller nap should be. A 3/4-inch nap is usually a good starting point for most textures.
  2. Cut in with a clean brush: Use a high-quality angled brush to cut in around edges, corners, and any trim. This ensures clean lines before you start rolling.
  3. Roll slowly: Don’t rush the rolling process. Apply steady pressure to ensure the paint gets into all the grooves. You might need a second coat, especially if you’re covering a darker color or painting over heavily textured walls.
  4. Consider spraying: If you have access to a paint sprayer and air compressor, it can save time and give you more even coverage on heavily textured surfaces. Just be sure to mask off areas you don’t want damaged with overspray from your paint job.

Other Tools to Consider:

  • Brushes: Use angled paint brushes for cutting in around edges, corners, and trim.
  • Painter’s Tape: Protect baseboards, ceilings, and adjacent walls for crisp edges and straight lines.
  • Paint Tray or Bucket: Keep your paint supply accessible and manageable.
  • Drop Cloth: A layer of protection for your floors.
  • Damp Cloth: Good for quick wipes when you get a little loosey goosey with the brush or need to wipe away dust.
  • Quality Paint: You get what you pay for, quality paint may cover in a single coat whereas cheap paint may require 2-3 coats of paint or more cans of paint.
Couple chooses paint colors from a large packet of paint chips.
Without a layer of primer, none of those colors will look right. Credit: skynesher / Getty Images

Can You Paint Over Textured Paint or Wallpaper?

Yes, but a little extra prep is required.

Painting over textured paint works the same way as any other textured wall. Clean, prime, and use the right tools for great finished surfaces. If the existing textured paint is in poor condition—peeling, chipping, or flaking—you’ll need to sand or scrape it off.

Painting over textured wallpaper is also possible, though it’s a bit more challenging. Start by cleaning and repairing any loose or damaged areas. Make sure the wallpaper is securely attached. Prime the surface with an oil-based primer or shellac-based primer to prevent bubbling or peeling. Once primed, you can paint as you would any other textured wall. Keep in mind that the texture of the wallpaper will still show through.

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FAQ

Should I remove texture before painting?

You don’t have to. Removing texture from an entire wall is a time-consuming process that often requires professional help. Most people choose to go directly over the texture. With the right prep work, you can achieve a great-looking finish without removing it.

Can I use flat paint on textured walls?

Yes, but flat paint may highlight the texture more than other finishes like eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss. If you want the texture to be less noticeable, consider using a finish with a bit of shine, like satin or eggshell. These finishes reflect light, which can soften the look of the texture.