Say Goodbye To Popcorn Ceilings: 8 Budget-Friendly Ways To Cover Them For Under $100

If you have one or more popcorn ceilings in your home, you understand how difficult it can be to maintain and clean this type of material. This style of ceiling design, known for its textured aesthetic, originated back in the 1950s and remained popular until about the 1980s. Many homeowners are tired of the outdated look and want to try something new without totally breaking the bank. Plus, some older popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, which can come with serious health risks. However, removing a popcorn ceiling can be expensive and tedious. Thankfully, there are a ton of ways you can easily cover your ceilings for a much lower price, even under $100. 

From utilizing fabric to purchasing cheap particle boards from your local home improvement store, you can try a myriad of ways to cover your popcorn ceiling and achieve the modern aesthetic you're looking for. If you don't want to undergo the intricate process of scraping this material off your ceiling and you want to save money, give one of these options a try. 

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to cover up your popcorn ceiling is to use large bolts of fabric. While some homeowners may opt for a stretched fabric option, which tightly covers the popcorn texture, you can also create a stunning, billowing effect using draped fabric that is secured across the ceiling. Not only does this option give your room a magazine-worthy aesthetic, but it also prevents any hazardous material from falling into the room. Depending on the size of your ceiling and how much you want the fabric to drape, you can pick up 40 to 45 yards of fabric, as well as securing hooks, for under $100. 

If you want the shiplap aesthetic without the shiplap price, you can pick up 4-foot by 8-foot hardboard tempered panels for under $8 a piece at your local home improvement store, like Home Depot or Lowe's. Using liquid nail, a staple gun, and a compressor, you can secure these panels to your popcorn ceiling to imitate the trendy look of shiplap. If you encounter gaps in the boards, you can use furring strips as coverage. Once the panels are installed, you can paint the material the color of your choice, giving your ceiling a brand new look. 

If you're a fan of the gilded metallic aesthetic, then you might want to try covering your popcorn ceilings with pressed metallic ceiling tiles that lock together. You can choose from multiple material options, including stainless steel, tin, and aluminum. For an even more affordable version, go with faux metallic tiles, which typically cost around $2 per square foot. These tiles are easy to install on your own by screwing them directly into the popcorn ceiling. If they're interlocking, they usually don't require plywood underneath. 

While you can always hire a professional to install beadboard over popcorn ceiling for you, you can also complete this project on your own. It's usually much cheaper to opt for the latter, as vinyl or MDF beadboard should cost only $1 to $5 per square foot. As long as your ceiling does not contain asbestos, you should be safe to install the beadboard. You will need construction adhesive and a brad nailer to secure the beadboard to the ceiling. 

Painting over your popcorn ceiling with a pop of color is a quick and affordable way to change up the look without spending too much money. If you aren't interested in covering the ceiling with material like beadboard or tin, you can always add a coat of paint to upgrade the space. This will cost less than $100 and is very DIY-friendly. Before you paint, make sure to deep clean the surface to get rid of any dust and debris. You can use a paint sprayer or foam roller to apply the color of your choice. 

Using joint compound is a simple and affordable way to smooth out your popcorn ceiling without the hassle of removing or covering it with heavy materials. Instead of having to secure boards or tiles to your ceiling, you can add a skim coating to create a smoother, more modern aesthetic. Deep-clean your popcorn ceiling before adding the joint compound, which should cost you less than $20. Let the joint compound dry before sanding it down smooth. Finally, you can prime and paint for a brand new look.

This is for any homeowner who loves the maximalist look of patterned wallpaper. You can add this material to your ceiling to cover up the outdated popcorn texture, adding more color and dimension to the space. Plus, it's affordable, and you can find wallpaper options for under $100. If your popcorn ceiling isn't super textured, you can secure your wallpaper directly to the ceiling using wallpaper paste. If it's too textured, you can add a thin skim coat of joint compound to the area first and sand it down before adding the wallpaper. 

For a simple and classic look, you can always add wood paneling over the top of your popcorn ceiling. The most affordable option for a wood ceiling is pine wood, which will only cost you about $1 per plank. Depending on how large your ceiling is, you should be able to complete this project for under or around $100. If you want to stain or paint your wood, it's recommended to do so before installing it on the ceiling.