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Changing Popcorn Ceilings to Knockdown

So many of the homes I’ve done design work on, including our former house, have had ‘popcorn’ ceilings. You know that nasty pokey ceiling texture that was so popular in the 70’s and 80’s? I can’t stand that finish… it collects dust and is just too heavily textured. It actually draws attention to itself, and not in a good way. But I’ve found that it isn’t difficult to get rid of it… and here are the step by step tips to change popcorn ceilings to knockdown.

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

The main reason popcorn ceiling texture was used in the first place, was to camouflage the flaws in the sheetrock &/or taping job. However, a knockdown finish will accomplish the same camouflage feature, but be much more subtle in texture and effect.

The condo I’ve been showing you the renovation projects of, that has been changed from a boring 1980’s to a ‘Modern Swedish Farmhouse’ open concept condo, had those dreaded popcorn ceilings. In their attention-grabbing form, those heavily textured ceilings just seemed to be visually lower than they were, making the room feel even less spacious… just the opposite effect we wanted in this small 2 bedroom condo.

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

This was a picture of the kitchen with the popcorn ceiling, (and wallpapered walls).

So the first step in changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown ones is to get rid of the popcorn… or at least most of it…

The carpenter lightly sprayed the ceiling with water, working one room at a time. He just used a simple sprayer like what you’d spray your yard for weeds. (like this garden sprayer)

The trick here is to let the dampness soak into the popcorn a bit to soften it, but not too long that it soaks the sheetrock underneath. Depending on heat and humidity, you just have to keep checking it until you feel it’s right.

Then with a wide scraper, scrape off the bumpy texture. For this condo reno, we were going to be installing a knockdown finish, so it was totally fine for some of the texture to remain on the ceiling from the old texture… just the pokey bumps needed to go. (Here’s a tip: use a long painter’s pole in the handle of the scraper so that you can do it from the floor)

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

This is a super close up picture of the ceiling after the pokey bumps of the popcorn ceiling were dampened then scraped off.

To apply the new ceiling texture, the carpenter has this machine:

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

But if you’re doing it yourself, and don’t want to buy a whole machine, guess what? You can rent it! (I’m a big fan of renting equipment… it makes so much more sense than storing it if you’re not using it over and over) Here is information on rental cost at HomeDepot: check out this rental deal for a texture sprayer.

Also, when you’re getting the texture mix to create a knockdown finish, be sure to get the right mix! There are 2 choices, aggregated and unaggregated. The aggregated has the little pokey bumps in it, and will create a popcorn texture, so obviously not what you want if you’ve just scraped that off!

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

For a knockdown texture, you need to get unaggregated spray texture!

This is what the ceiling looks like right after it’s sprayed:

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

After it was sprayed up onto the ceiling, the carpenter let it dry a little while, taking it from a very wet mix, when first applied, to a very damp mix. Sorry, I don’t know how else to explain that. It needs to be dry enough so that when it’s knocked down it still holds some of its shape, but not so dry that it won’t knock down at all. Again, depending on the heat and humidity of the room, this time will vary. I think in the condo it was about 20-30 minutes that it sat before he did the knocking down part. (but it was quite humid in there that day too)

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By the way, this whole process of changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown ones is messy…

So to sheet everything in plastic is highly recommended and just makes clean up go much easier.

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

Once the texture had dried just the right amount…

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

The carpenter gently used the knockdown knife pulled across the ceiling, creating a knockdown look. (knockdown because this step knocks down the spray texture to be flatter) He placed the wide blade of the knife on the far end of the ceiling by the wall, and gently pulled it across the ceiling as he walked backward. (it’s hard to tell in this picture, but he isn’t pushing the knife, that would take it all down! He’s pulling it across the texture)

This is what the texture looked like after:

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

In this picture, it was mostly dry, but there are still a few damp areas.

Once it was totally dry…

For sure wait a day or more, depending on room’s heat and humidity…

Then prime and paint.

SimpleDecoratingTips.com changing popcorn ceilings to knockdown

This is the ceiling now, all primed and painted. It looks fresh and the knockdown texture does hide minor imperfections of the sheetrock but doesn’t have that heavily distracting texture of the previous popcorn ceiling. That’s why I like to encourage my clients to change their popcorn ceilings to knockdown ceilings… unless a different treatment would be even better. I’ve treated ceilings with wood, beadboard, woven rattan, pressed tin type ceilings… The options end where your imagination does, but knockdown can be a great choice too. 🙂

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please feel free to follow and share this blog with your friends, as well as on Facebook, Pinterest, Flipboard, Bloglovin, YouTube and now Instagram!  I appreciate you reading along.

So here is the list of things you’d need for this project, all available online here:

  • Wide blade scraper for popcorn ceiling removal
  • Garden Sprayer to soak off popcorn
  • Painter’s pole, to be able to work from the floor while scraping and knocking down
  • Texture Sprayer: rental can be a great way to go
  • Unaggragated Texture Spray additive
  • Knockdown knife To drag across damp sprayed texture creating the desired knockdown texture
  • PVA Primer for fresh sheetrock mud and Paint, Flat Ceiling White

Did you know I now offer e-decorating? I can help you with your decorating needs via email, without having to step foot in your home. If you’re interested in more information, visit my e-decorating site: Frame and Frills. I’d love to help you with your project!

Here are more carpentry tips and ideas:

Blue-and-White-Backsplash-Tile
Cabinet-Door-Gallery
how to install a floating shelf
install door knocker in a hollow steel door
Wallpaper Mural
Repurposing-Vintage-Screen-Door
transform-hall-closet-into-library
Creating a Built-In Faux Fireplace
wall mounted potrack
antique inspiried kitchen island
shutters do's and don'ts
DIY Faux Exposed Brick Chimney
DIY Frosted Glass  Privacy Window
DIY Cedar Closet Lining
How to Change a Door Lock
tips to refresh basement steps
Old Time Carpenter Taught me this Trick
Wallies
How to Make a Chandelier Longer
DIY Wide Plank Laminate Flooring
How to add a fireplace to any room
Composite Decking
Tips on Creating a Kitchen Island Feature
Changing Popcorn Ceiling to Knockdown
Closet-Transformation
how to mount a shelf when there's no stud
Easiest DIY Beadboard ever
Nautical Cottage Bathroom
DIY wall mounted potrack
How to install a farmhouse sink

This post is linked up to the following other sites: Between Naps on the Porch

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Welcome to Simple Decorating Tips! I’m Liz, the author, and I’m so glad you’re here!

My goal is to encourage you with DIY tips, techniques and tutorials so you feel empowered to join in the fun! Along with this DIY blog, I have a DIY shop, Frame and Frills!
Frame and Frills is in Wisconsin. I stock amazing DIY products! Fusion Mineral Paints, ReDesign Transfers, Decoupage, Waxes, loads of DIY Goodies, re-done Furniture and more! Even if you're not close to where the shop is in Wisconsin, good news... I ship nationwide, (USA) daily! Check out the link here and let's get your DIY on!
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Welcome to Simple Decorating Tips! I'm Liz, the author, and I'm so glad you're here! My goal is to encourage you with DIY tips, techniques and tutorials so you feel empowered to join in the fun! Along with this DIY blog, I have a DIY shop, Frame and Frills!
Frame and Frills is in Wisconsin. I stock amazing DIY products! Fusion Mineral Paints, ReDesign Transfers, Decoupage, Waxes, loads of DIY Goodies, re-done Furniture and more! Even if you're not close to where the shop is in Wisconsin, good news... I ship nationwide, (USA) daily! Check out the link here and let's get your DIY on!


Disclosure Policy: According to FTC guidelines, I want you to be aware that some of the content of this blog may be a source of income and therefore may be used to promote products, services, or other businesses. I will only choose to promote products/services/businesses that I feel will be beneficial to my readers. While I hope to generate a small profit for my time and effort to create this blog, I hold myself to the highest standard of integrity. I appreciate my readers, and make it my goal to deliver quality, honest material on this blog through each post. Thanks for reading along, Liz

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Sharing is great! Please feel free to share this blog with your friends, as well as on Facebook and Pinterest and Flipboard and Houzz and YouTube the more the merrier! I appreciate you stopping by. But please remember that all photos, images, text and content are owned by SimpleDecoratingTips.com. So anything you share, please be sure it always links back to my original post it came from. Please do not remove watermarks, crop or edit anything without written permission from me first.

Disclosure Policy: According to the FTC guidelines, I want you to be aware that this blog is a source of income and may occasionally incorporate endorsements or testimonials and shopping links. It is important to me to disclose this to you. The content of this blog is a source of income and therefore may be used to promote products, services, or other businesses. I will only choose to promote products/services/businesses that I feel will be beneficial to my readers. Products provided to me by my advertising partners for my review are given to me free of charge with no cost to myself. This does not ensure a positive review of the product in any way. While I hope to generate a small profit for my time and effort to create this blog, I hold myself to the highest standard of integrity. I appreciate my readers, and always make it my goal to deliver quality, honest material on this blog through each post. Thanks for reading along, Liz

Disclosure Policy According to Federal Trade Commission guidelines, I want you to be aware that this blog is a source of income and may occasionally incorporate endorsements or testimonials. It is important to me to disclose this to you. The content of this blog is a source of income and therefore may be used to promote products, services, or other businesses. I will only choose to promote products/services/businesses that I feel will be beneficial to my readers. Products provided to me by my advertising partners for my review are given to me free of charge with no cost to myself. This does not ensure a positive review of the product in any way. My truthful opinion will be what I state, no matter if I'm getting paid or not. Accuracy and truth are the priority for me on this blog's information, no matter if it's about a product or anything else. Not every product or service or store etc. may be mentioned in each and every post as an affiliate. While I hope to generate a small profit for my time and effort to create this blog, I hold myself to the highest standard of integrity. I appreciate my readers, and always make it my goal to deliver quality, honest material on this blog through each post.

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