How to Texture Paint with Baking Soda, Silica Sand & More

Textured paint is an alternative to traditional flat paint and is utilized for multiple reasons. Walls with textured paint are lower maintenance because they camouflage dirt and conceal flaws. Textured paint can give the impression of wallpaper without the hassle and textured paint also tends to be stronger than regular paint. Texturing paint can be achieved before the paint is applied as well as during the application process.

Things You Should Know

Add baking soda or silica sand to paint to easily make the paint textured.
Apply a base coat of paint and glaze; then, either ball up a rag and press it into the glaze or drag a comb through the glaze.
Paint a base coat with a shaggy roller, or use a sponge to pat the paint and create a texture.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using Baking Soda or Silica Sand

1
Fill a cup or paint tray with flat latex paint.
2
Add baking soda or silica sand to the paint. If you're using baking soda, add 1 tablespoon for every 1 cup of paint you're using.^{[1]
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Research source}. If you're using silica sand, add 4 to 6 ounces (113.3 to 170 g) of silica sand into the paint.

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3
Stir the paint with a wooden paint stick.
4
Add more baking soda or silica sand for a coarser texture.
5
Repeat the process of stirring before each application. The baking soda or sand will settle on the bottom between applications.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Ragging Technique

1
Apply your base coat to the wall.
2
Paint over the base coat (once it dries) with a glaze.^{[2]
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3
Ball up a cotton cloth or rag and press it onto the wet glaze.^{[3]
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Research source} Press harder to remove more of the glaze.
4
Continue along the wall in a random pattern.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Combing Method

1
Apply your base coat to the wall and then a glaze.^{[4]
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2
Choose a comb with the desired tooth size and, starting at the top, comb through the glaze.^{[5]
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Research source} This technique creates a wood grain appearance.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Sponging the Wall

1
Cut up a household sponge into an interesting shape or purchase a sponge with an interesting texture at a craft or paint store.
2
Apply the base paint as you normally would. (An additional coating of glaze is optional.)
3
Start in one corner of the wall and press the sponge into the paint.^{[6]
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Research source} You can twist the sponge or just barely pat the paint depending on your desired effect.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using a Shaggy Roller

1
Apply the paint with a roller like you normally would. The long fabric of the paint roller creates a faintly textured look with almost no effort.^{[7]
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Community Q&A

Question

Can you paint over wallpaper?

Community Answer

You can. However, it likely won't look too good, and you run the risk of oversaturating the wallpaper and the glue could give way. Normally wallpaper is removed before painting.
Question

Will texture paint over wallpaper?

Community Answer

It depends on the thickness of the wallpaper itself and what kind of texture you are going to use on your surface.
Question

What is silica sand and where do I buy it?

Community Answer

Silica sand is quartz, technically. You can get it at the hardware store or Amazon, or perhaps the craft store. I've used real sand in paint projects when I was a kid and it worked well to create a sandy, textured surface, so if you have a beach nearby, just go grab a tub of sand from there and experiment with one of those little $2 tester paints from the hardware store. You can even have them colored.

Warnings

Do not buy fast-drying paint or glaze. Texturing paint can take some time, so it is best to have a paint that remains workable for the time required to texture it.

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Do not work in a room that is not well-ventilated well. Paint fumes are unhealthy and can be toxic.

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