The Paint Trick That Allows You To Visually Remove Your Popcorn Ceiling Without Scraping It Off

Popcorn ceilings, no matter how you feel about them, have benefits. They help to absorb sound, hide imperfections, and can actually look good in a home, depending on its style. Since builders have alternative ceiling painting methods now and it's no longer a trend, popcorn's prevalence is decreasing. If you still have yesteryear's ceilings and are thinking about scraping them clean, there is an alternative to consider. Instead of covering everything with drop cloths and suiting up in protective gear to remove your popcorn ceilings, you can disguise the surface with a simple painting trick. Black paint reduces the contrast between bright points where light strikes the ceiling and the shadows cast by the bumpy popcorn. Unlike brighter colors, black will absorb light instead of reflecting it and catching the eye, making the popcorn texture look flatter and less distinct.

While the idea of a black ceiling might be jarring at first, it's actually a trending design idea worth considering. Other dark tones may also achieve the texture-masking effect to some degree, but due to its ability to absorb light, black can match and even accentuate other colors in your home. In addition to the black paint diminishing the popcorn appearance, it helps make your home feel warmer and cozier. If you have any black trim or other dark elements in a room, black paint on your ceiling can enhance them. Of course, there are things to consider when implementing a drastic paint change. Painting popcorn ceilings, regardless of the color, can have unique challenges.

In a room with limited natural light, a black ceiling may make the room feel dark and dreary. It can be wise to test out black in other areas of a room, like the trim, chair rails, and decor, before taking the plunge and painting the ceiling. It's also a good idea to paint a bedroom or bathroom ceiling to see how you like it before painting a main area, such as a living room or dining room. That way, if it turns out not to be your thing, you can paint over the black or remove the popcorn ceiling. It's essential to note that using paint with a low sheen or light reflective value (LRV), such as matte or eggshell, is recommended. A glossy ceiling will still reflect some light to contrast the surrounding shadows, drawing the eye to the popcorn texture.

There are some downsides to know about when painting over popcorn ceilings, too. You may have more difficulty removing the popcorn texture in the future if you add a layer of paint, because the coating can prevent water from absorbing, which is sometimes needed for removal. Popcorn ceilings also tend to trap dust that, when painted over, can cause surface cracks. Also, sometimes older popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. If you accidentally overload your paint roller, you risk pieces of it falling due to excess moisture, which can release it into the air. Sending a sample of it to a laboratory for asbestos testing before painting is wise.