How to Make Your Own Textured Paint

Textured paint adds dimensionality, vitality, and style to any painted surface, and although this paint can be found in stores, it is very expensive and tends to be unsuitable for some types of applications. Hence, being able to mix your own textured paint will come in handy because it is not only easy but also very cost-effective and can be applied to almost any material.

Step 1 – Decide On the Base Paint

When it comes to texturing paint, it is always advisable to use white latex paint as a base and then apply a coat of colored paint on top of it. If you use this method, you do not have to worry about any gloss or finish of your base coat because you will be covering it with colored paint that will have your desired look.

Step 2 – Select the Paint Color

After having decided whether to use a textured latex-based paint or directly texture the topcoat, you need to select the color you want to use. If you choose direct texturing, it is important when you go to buy the colored paint to select one shade darker on the paint store color chart because the color will lighten a bit with the addition of the texturing medium. Also, before painting a whole wall or ceiling, try some sample tests to see if the end result will dry in the shade you want.

Step 3 – Select the Texturing Medium

Next, you need to consider what type of texturing medium you will be mixing with your paint. There are a variety of products you can use such as pre-mixed drywall mud, spackling compound, dry sheetrock compound, or sand. Choose what you want based on the look you're trying to achieve. However, it is important to note that dry powder will mix a lot better than the drywall joint compound, so if you are a beginner, you'll want to purchase the easier option.

Step 4 – Add Texturing and Stir

Once you have both the paint and texturing medium at hand, you can start the mixing process. Before you add your material, make sure to sift through it with a sieve or compound to avoid creating any extraneous lumps in the paint. Scoop the medium one cup at a time and dump it into the paint while you continuously stir the mixture either with a stick or a piece of wood.

Step 5 – Reach the Right Consistency Level

Mixing only one cupful of the medium at a time is paramount to achieving the consistency you want for your textured paint. This way, you will likely never end up adding too much and creating too thick a mixture. This strategy also helps you keep track of how much texture you've used in case you need another batch of paint later on.

While one cup at a time is best for dry powder, when using drywall joint compound (pre-mixed drywall mud), you should instead use half-cup portions to avoid problems. Keep adding material to the paint until you reach the desired texture. When you are happy with the consistency, you can start painting.

This is the easiest method creating your own textured paint, and it is a project even the most inexperienced DIYer can complete successfully. So, save yourself some cash by giving this a shot, and see what interesting, artistic looks you can create in your home next time you redecorate.