How to paint textured walls is a common question homeowners ask when starting interior house painting in Seattle, WA. Textured walls might add a certain charm, but they also bring a few extra steps if you want a clean, even finish. Whether you’re dealing with light orange peel or heavy knockdown texture, painting over it isn’t just about slapping on a coat and hoping for the best

A few years ago, I helped a family who had tried to paint over their textured dining room walls using a basic roller. The paint clung to the bumps but missed all the dips. They were frustrated and tired. Once we stepped in, prepped the surface correctly, and brought in the right tools, the results were night and day. The walls looked fresh, smooth, and professionally done.

If you’re getting ready to tackle this in your own home, here’s how to do it without the mess.

Key Takeaways

  • Prep properly to avoid streaks, blotches, or roller lines on textured walls.
  • Use a thick roller nap to reach into grooves and uneven spots.
  • Clean your walls first. Dust can interfere with how paint sticks to the surface.
  • Be patient with the edges. They’re more noticeable with texture.
  • Work in small sections so you can catch drips before they dry.

What You’ll Need Before You Start Painting

Walls with textured paint call for the right gear. Choosing the right paint roller is a must! Foam rollers won’t cut it here. Go with a roller that has a thick nap—half an inch for standard texture, or three-quarters of an inch for something heavier.

Here’s what I usually load into the truck:

  • 9-inch roller frame and thick nap roller cover
  • 2-inch angled brush
  • Interior primer and quality paint
  • Tray liners, painter’s tape, drop cloths
  • Spackle or lightweight compound
  • Vacuum with a brush attachment or microfiber cloth

Any professional house painter knows the job starts before the roller ever hits the wall.

How to Paint Textured Walls

Prep the Surface for Better Results

Textured walls are magnets for dust, pet hair, and cobwebs. Vacuum the surface or use a dry cloth to wipe it clean. This makes a noticeable difference in how your paint goes on.

Check for dents or small holes while you’re at it. I like using a gloved finger to push spackle into the texture. It follows the shape of the wall better than a putty knife.

Protect Outlets and Tape Off Trim

Cut power before you remove switch plates and outlet covers. Bag and label the screws so nothing gets lost.

Next, tape off any surfaces you’re not painting. Press painter’s tape tightly into the texture to seal edges. A thin line of caulk over the tape edge can help keep your lines crisp.

Lay down drop cloths, especially under baseboards or windows. Paint has a way of finding its way onto floors.

Use Primer to Set the Foundation

Primer helps even out the surface, seals the wall, and improves paint adhesion. Pour it into a lined tray, load the roller, and apply in 3 to 4-foot sections.

Watch for drips. The texture can hide them until they dry, so scan the wall from different angles. Use a brush to hit corners, trim, and tricky edges.

Roll on Paint Without Overworking It

Switch out the tray liner and pour in your paint. Roll slowly and evenly across one section at a time. The nap should be thick enough to fill in the gaps.

I once had a client who kept trying to press the roller harder, thinking that would help. It didn’t. It just flattened the texture and left streaks. Let the roller nap do its job.

For bold or deep shades, expect to do two coats. Always let the first one dry fully before going back over it.

Finish with the Details

Use your angled brush to feather in edges and corners. This is where a lot of people rush, but it really matters.

Pull your painter’s tape while the paint is still slightly wet. That gives you cleaner lines and less risk of peeling.

Helpful Tips from a Professional House Painter

After years of painting textured walls, here are a few go-to strategies that really work:

  • Don’t soak the roller. Too much paint leads to splatter.
  • Light pressure works better than trying to mash paint into the wall.
  • Clean between coats if dust settles again.
  • Use caulk for sealing tape edges around rough textures.
  • Tap paint into deeper crevices instead of brushing back and forth.

Even one or two of these habits can make a noticeable difference in the final result.

If you’ve been wondering how do you paint textured walls without losing your mind, it all comes down to preparation, patience, and good tools.

Some folks give up halfway through and call a professional house painter, which is perfectly okay. Interior house painting doesn’t have to be stressful when someone else handles the hard parts.

Let Lines Painting Help You Get It Done Right

If you’re thinking about interior house painting in Seattle, WA, and you’re staring at textured walls, we’ve got some good news. Lines Painting brings years of experience, local knowledge, and a team that knows how to get the job done without cutting corners.

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We serve homeowners throughout Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and the surrounding areas and helping them bring new life to textured interiors with precision and care.

Call Lines Painting at 425-534-7117 for a FREE estimate today. Let us make those textured walls something you actually enjoy looking at.