Tired of Ugly Wall Texture? How To Easily Smooth It Yourself

If your walls are covered in a bumpy, uneven texture, you're not alone. Many homes built in the 60s through the 80s were finished with heavy wall textures. While it was stylish at the time, most people now prefer smooth, modern walls.

Luckily, with some time and effort, you can easily transform those ugly textured walls into beautiful smooth finishes.

Materials You'll Need

Smoothing textured walls is a messy process, so you'll need to protect your floors, outlet covers, and trim. Gather these supplies first:

• Drop cloths
• Painter's tape
• Joint compound
• Drywall sanding block
• Sandpaper - 80 grit and higher
• Taping knives
• Paint roller and tray
• Primer
• Paint brushes
• Sanding sponge
• Shop vacuum
• Dust masks and goggles

Prep Your Walls

Before smoothing, you'll need to prep the walls properly. Follow these steps:

1. Remove outlet and switch covers. Store them securely.
2. Use painter's tape to cover baseboards, crown molding, door and window trims.
3. Spread drop cloths over the floor and furniture.
4. Clean walls thoroughly with TSP substitute to remove grease and dirt.

Prepping well in advance prevents extra dust and debris during smoothing.

Smoothing Techniques

When it comes to smoothing textured walls, you have a few options depending on the look you want to achieve.

Drywall Sanding

One of the most effective ways to smooth walls is by sanding them. This abrades and flattens the bumpy texture.

Start with 60-80 grit sandpaper to aggressively sand down high points. Then use progressively finer grits like 120 and 220 to smooth the surface.

You can use a hand sanding block or a power sander. Work in small sections until the texture is gone.

Drywall sanding creates lots of dust so wear a mask. It's also very labor intensive.

Applying Joint Compound

For a less dusty solution, you can use joint compound, also called mud, to smooth texture.

Apply a skim coat of compound with a paint roller over the entire wall. Let dry completely.

Sand until smooth, then apply a second coat if needed. Joint compound leaves you with a flawless finish.

Texture-Reducing Primer

Using a thick primer designed to minimize texture can help smooth walls with light to moderate bumps.

These primers fill in pores and voids, creating a flatter surface. Often only 1 coat of primer is needed.

It won't completely flatten heavily textured walls but can reduce the appearance.

Texture Roller

If you want to keep some texture, use a texture roller over primed walls. This levels bumps while adding uniform texture.

You control the final depth and pattern. It goes much quicker than fully smoothing walls.

Tips for Best Results

Follow these tips as you smooth textured walls:

• Use bright work lights to spot imperfections
• Work in small sections for best control
• Allow joint compound coats to fully dry before sanding
• Vacuum between sanding to remove dust
• Wear a dust mask and goggles during sanding
• Apply primer before painting for a smooth finish

Take your time and don't rush the smoothing process. The end results are worth it.

Finishing Touches

Once walls are smoothed, apply these finishing touches:

1. Do a final sanding with fine 220 grit sandpaper
2. Use a damp microfiber cloth to remove all dust
3. Apply high-quality primer to sealed surface
4. Paint walls with sheen of your choice

Step back and admire your beautiful, smooth walls! No more ugly heavy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the easiest DIY smoothing method?

Using a texture-reducing primer is the quickest, easiest way to minimize the look of lighter wall texture. It requires less time and effort than sanding or applying joint compound.

How long does it take to smooth textured walls?

It can take 1-3 days depending on room size and texture depth. Sanding and joint compound application are the most time intensive. Priming goes faster.

What tools do I need?

Drywall sander, sandpaper, taping knives, paint roller, primer, brushes, vacuum, and protective gear like goggles and masks.

How do I match existing wall texture?

Use a texture roller over primed walls, testing different patterns to match surrounding areas. Or reapply matching spray texture before priming and painting.

Should I hire a pro?

DIY smoothing is possible but pros have the experience and tools to finish quickly and flawlessly. Consider hiring help if you want perfect results.

Smoothing textured walls takes some work but is completely doable as a DIY project. With the right materials and these smoothing techniques, you can easily rid your walls of heavy textures and enjoy smooth finishes.

Just go slow, wear protective gear, and don't rush the process. Before you know it, you'll have beautiful, modern walls free of outdated popcorn or swirled textures.