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Rain on a Tin Roof

DIY and Home Decor Blog. Fly Your Freak Flag.

You are here: Home >> Decorating >> 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

June 28, 2016 By Jenna 29 Comments

6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

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If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings don’t necessarily bother me too much. I mean they aren’t the prettiest thing in the world, but they’ve never been something I’ve stomped my feet about and lost sleep over. Also, they are not fun to remove. I tried it. I learned from it.

And I’ll never do it again.

When we got the 70’s Landing Pad, it of course had popcorn ceilings. There weren’t many homes built during that era that didn’t sport the acne of the ceiling.

Yes, I just referred to popcorn ceilings as acne. No, I have no idea how I come up with this stuff.

Anywho, I did want to have the popcorn ceilings removed at the new place if it was in the budget. Not because they bothered me so much, but mainly because I really wanted to paint the ceiling in colors and even a few patterns here and there.

I had no intention of removing the popcorn ceilings myself. As I said, been there, done that, had the gross white snot to prove it. I got a few estimates for the job and shockingly discovered that it was in fact in the budget to remove the popcorn ceilings for about $2000. Sign. Me. Up. I was confident this would be the best $2K I would ever spend.

And then the contractors came and started to scrape and realized it had been painted over multiple times and was going to take three times as long to remove and therefore the price would now be around $6K.

There are a lot of things I could buy with $6000. So, I called it off. The popcorn ceilings would stay.

And guess what?

I barely notice them anymore. 

Here are my six best decorating ideas for distracting from those popcorn ceilings and making them practically disappear….

6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

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1. Lighting

Don’t buy flush-mount lighting that focuses the light upwards. Instead, try to use flush or semi-flush mounts that direct the light downward. Chandeliers and pendant lights are an even better choice when you can use them. (I have lots of great affordable lighting options here by the way.)

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Bedding / Curtains / Palm Art Print / Leopard Print Pillow / Banana Leaf Pillows / Headboard / Pink Wall Color

The light fixture in our master bedroom is a great example. It’s gorgeous, hangs down from the ceiling, not up close to it, and focuses the light downward.

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Rug / Floor Lamp / Ghost Chairs / Green Velvet Pillows / Lion Art / Banana Leaves Pillows / Leopard Print Pillows / Black Wall Color

You can also use this same trick with floor lamps. The brass floor lamp in my living room arches over and down drawing the eye downward.

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Gallery Wall / Buffet / Sconce / David Bust (similar ones) / Brass Unicorn (similar ones) 

Use sconces where you can. These plug-in wall sconces used to flank our television in our old living room. They helped to keep the attention on the wall and not upward on the ceiling.

2. Huge Art

Nothing more easily grabs the eye (and distracts from popcorn ceilings) than a huge piece of stunning art.

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Lion Print

I’ve done this in three places at the 70’s Landing Pad and have not been disappointed yet. I placed this huge lion print above the bar in our living room. Not only is it gorgeous, but it commands attention.

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Ivy Art Print / Glass Top Dining Table (similar) / Dining Chairs (similar) / More of the Dining Room

The same is true of this abstract art in the dining room. I also used the vintage palm print in the photo of our bedroom you saw above as a focal point in our bedroom.

All of those prints (and many of my other favorite art pieces) came from Minted. They have a huge art selection with something for everyone. I also have other sources for affordable art here.

3. Paint

Paint the ceilings. Paint the walls.

First off, if you are ready to just finally embrace those popcorn ceilings and they are a bit dingy and even stained in some places, please for the love of all things good in the world, just paint them. Yes, it does mean that if you want to remove them at some point it will be more difficult, but it will look so much better. I promise. A good coat of white ceiling paint will do the trick. Chances are that if you’ve never painted your popcorn ceilings or don’t know if they were painted, that they are more dirtier than you think.

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Case in point: the ceilings of our master bedroom. I had no idea how beige-y and gross they were until I went to touch up a few spots I had hit on the ceiling with the pink paint. There was no touch up for that! They had to be completely painted!

If you really want your popcorn ceilings to blend in with everything else, paint your ceilings and walls white. The eye will be tricked into barely seeing the popcorn at all. If you aren’t ready to go all white with your walls, then perhaps paint the upper half or third of the walls white with another color below that. That would be similar to what I did in our old guest room.

4. Crown Molding

I know it may seem like this one would draw the eye to the ceiling. I used to think so too. Here’s the thing though and it may not be this way for everyone, but here it is. When my mother-in-law had crown installed in their house, she said that afterward she didn’t notice the popcorn ceilings as much. I thought about it, looked at it and then when she had it installed in our old house / their soon to be new house, I realized she was right. I don’t know what it is, maybe the angle of the molding or just the fact that it’s something pretty at the top of the wall, but it does seem to distract from the popcorn. I think if you went with even a bigger molding and added a smaller trim piece below the crown on the wall and painted all that white or whatever your trim color is, it would distract from your popcorn ceilings even more.

5. Rugs

Don’t want them to look up? Make them look down.

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Rug / Glass Dining Table (similar) / Cantilever Chairs (similar)

Bring in boldly colored or patterned rugs to draw the eye down and not up. Works every time.

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Rug / Wall Color / Bedding / Horse Sheets (similar) / Tassel Pillow / Custom Silhouette Art / Yellow Table Color / Cowgirl Lampshade / More of My Daughter’s Room

Personally, I’m a fan of pretty rugs anywhere. It’s just a bonus they turn those eyes away from the ceiling.

6. Window Treatments

Another way to distract from popcorn ceilings is with your window treatments. Go for long panels that go all the way to the floor. They don’t have to puddle, but can just barely touch the floor. This will once more help to draw the eye downward. Don’t opt for valances for sure – this will keep the eye closer to the ceiling.

If you have popcorn ceilings and don't want to go to the trouble of removing them, this article is for you! It gives great ideas for decorating to keep the eye away from the popcorn ceiling! 6 Decorating Ideas to Distract from Popcorn Ceilings

Curtains / More of My Office

If you love color or bold prints, even better. Those things will distract the eye even more.

So will you be keeping your popcorn ceilings and decorating to distract from them? Any other ideas you have to offer to distract from popcorn ceilings? 

More helpful home decorating tips and tricks…

How to Make a Moodboard – make design boards for your next room makeover easily using Picmonkey.

How to Keep Rugs from Sliding– locks them in place!

How to Accessorize a Space Without Over-Accessorizing– it can be tricky, but here are some tips to help!

How to Decorate with Inherited Furniture Without Making Your Grandparents Roll Over in Their Graves– I know, it’s hard, but they’d want you to make it yours….

Want to remember these popcorn ceiling decorating tips for later? Pin the image below!

Decorating Ideas for How to Hide Popcorn Ceilings | Popcorn Ceiling Makeover | Popcorn Ceiling Cover | Popcorn Ceiling Ideas
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Filed Under: Decorating Tagged With: popcorn ceilings

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Comments

  1. Julie says

    June 28, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    Love the ideas Jenna. Current house does not have them, and yet prior one did. Surprisingly, at the time, I did this on the living room ceiling! Would never do it again because of neck strain and yet this was in my younger days. I also was told by a painter, back then, what a great job I had done because I went with a very light effect vs how you can see this in other homes. I’m ok with it because I like the look really, and yet recognize the dated aspect too. Hey, maybe, like other decorating, it may return some day! ha

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      June 28, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      It really doesn’t bother me that much, Julie. Now there are some popcorn ceilings I’ve seen where the “popcorn” looks huge – it’s much more textured. I’m definitely not a fan of that. I’m with you though – you never know when they may come back in style!!

      Reply
  2. Pam S says

    June 28, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    Except for painting them, I think I’ve used all of your tips ~ most times not even realizing “why”! My daughter is a Realtor and insists people are either floor people or ceiling people ๐Ÿ™‚ She just notices when they walk in that first house where their eyes go. And fortunately, I’m a floor person! So I see the paint bucket in my near future. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      June 30, 2016 at 7:41 am

      I think you’re daughter may be right!! I’ve never thought about it before, but I’m a floor person too!!

      Reply
  3. Patty Reis says

    June 28, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    I removed the popcorn ceiling in my 14×22 family room by myself. It wasn’t difficult at all, but of course it hadn’t been painted over either! I just kept heavily misting it with water using a common spray bottle, just enough to dampen it but not soak thru to the drywall. I held a large two-foot trash can lid to catch the fluff as it came off. By keeping it damp, there was no dust and it came off very easily. If it wasn’t easy, I just misted it some more until it softened. I hope this is helpful to someone.

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      June 30, 2016 at 7:41 am

      Thanks for the tips, Patty!

      Reply
  4. Ali says

    June 29, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s not really bothered by popcorn ceilings. You always see people on HGTV who hate them and I guess I just don’t get it haha. These decorating tricks are handy even for those without “acne” ceilings ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      June 30, 2016 at 7:40 am

      Nope, not too bothered by them at all! I know – it sometimes drives me crazy at just how much people want everything just perfect on HGTV – that’s not real life!!

      Reply
  5. Victoria says

    August 4, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Thank you for all these great tips! We just got the clear to close on our townhouse so I’m already remodeling in my head:) I do think I’ll try removing the popcorn in one small room first and see how it goes, if it’s too traumatic then I’ll go with the “distraction” plan:) I notice Amazon has a lot of tools now that catch the popcorn as it’s coming off so maybe that’ll help!

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      August 9, 2016 at 7:24 am

      I’ve seen those things on Amazon and they do look intriguing, Victoria!

      Reply
  6. Rhonda says

    October 25, 2016 at 10:40 pm

    These are great tips. I don’t have popcorn ceilings, but I love the large pictures and long panels. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best Linkup.

    Reply
    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      October 26, 2016 at 6:41 am

      Thanks so much, Rhonda!

      Reply
  7. Irene K. says

    January 9, 2017 at 12:58 am

    Just like another person, I don’t get what all of the popcorn hate is about. I moved into my new home and it has popcorn on every ceiling except the kitchen and baths. I. Do. Not. Care! Just for the heck of it, I also had an estimate done. Instead of paying for removing the ceiling that I did not care about, I bought a household toy instead. I do have my priorities! Thanks for a great article. Glad to see I’m not alone.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      January 10, 2017 at 3:01 pm

      Totally not alone, Irene! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  8. Anya says

    October 6, 2017 at 2:38 pm

    How we can cover the water stains on the popcorn ceiling? My landlord says itโ€™s not possible but I doubt it. It looks so bad with the stains.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      October 20, 2017 at 9:55 am

      Use a primer like Kilz or Zinnser first, then come back with ceiling paint. You may need to use two coats of primer.

      Reply
  9. Karen says

    January 19, 2018 at 8:06 am

    MWB checking in on my favorite Freak! <3 I have the popcorn but just painted the ceilings the same color as the walls. Actually makes the rooms look bigger. Of course I am not freakish enough….yet…to use the dark vibrant colors you do.

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      January 19, 2018 at 9:43 am

      Oooooh, that’s a good idea, Karen!! Hadn’t thought about painting the same color as the walls!

      Reply
  10. Paul says

    February 1, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    New doesn’t mean better and looks are influenced on what’s new. Think about it no one is putting in new popcorns all you ever see is old how to compare that with a new ceiling and a fresh remodel but removing your popcorn just like removing your carpet means a noiser room with more echo.. Speaking of Carpet is it out is that because its colder than cheap laminate(fake wood floor) on a cold day or harder to kill the bedbugs or easy to clean up after a spill or worse all these so called modern bagless vacuums that don’t really clean and leave your room full of dust.. Me buy a quality Kirby Vac and go barefoot on my nice expensive bed bug free old Nylon Carpet in my very quiet room… ah the price to pay for better i have to have old fashioned (don’t let me get started on recessed lighting).

    Reply
  11. Cheryl Lawson says

    July 28, 2018 at 11:45 pm

    I hate popcorn ceilings but realize that there may be other features of a home that outweigh them. We had them in our last home but, luckily, not in this one. I wonder if the cost of removal would be recovered when the home is sold . . . realtors I know say that popcorn ceilings really hurt the sale of a house. A solution my neighbor used was to have a carpenter put a thin piece of sheetrock right over the popcorn ceilings. It worked perfectly and was less expensive that removing the texture. I enjoyed this post and the comments.

    Reply
  12. Margaret Robinson says

    August 1, 2018 at 12:05 pm

    I certainly don’t disagree with anyone who likes or can at least live with popcorn ceilings. However, it should be noted that the “popcorn” may contain asbestos and probably should be checked by an expert. Not all popcorn ceiling are a problem, but it would be better and far safer to check.

    Reply
  13. Audra @ Renewed Projects says

    July 24, 2019 at 11:37 am

    We tried scrapping a popcorn ceiling ourselves. The same problem, it had been painted over at some point and was incredibly difficult to remove. We finished one floor in the home due to the open floor plan and then left the rest on the upper floor. It wasn’t worth it. And you’re right, after a while you don’t notice it anymore. It wasn’t a battle worth fighting or paying for. Love your bold navy walls!

    Reply
  14. Rhonda Gales says

    July 26, 2019 at 2:42 am

    We’re updating my parents home, and all of the rooms have popcorn ceilings. Thanks so much for these tips. I’ll be using the curtain and picture tips.

    Reply
  15. Clearissa Coward says

    July 26, 2019 at 10:21 am

    Great tips!!!! I have decided not to remove my popcorn ceilings as well. I understand the task is daunting. However, I am thinking of adding beadboard to the ceilings downstairs and painting the ceilings upstairs. We will see. TFS with #omgww.

    Reply
  16. Julia says

    July 27, 2019 at 11:57 am

    We had popcorn ceilings in our last home and we painted them a bright white. It made a huge difference and I hardly noticed them. Friends of ours had theirs covered, not exactly sure what kind of material it was though, like plywood maybe?

    Reply
  17. Denise and Sean | HelpingHunny says

    July 27, 2019 at 10:43 pm

    Jenna,
    We had literally 5 different textures of popcorn ceiling in our current house when we bought it. We decided to cover them with fresh dry wall because they had never been sealed/painted and the previous owners were smokers – talk about stained! Hopefully our next house won’t be such a mess so we can use these tips. Honestly, I’ll be using some of these tips anyways ๐Ÿ™‚ I love your TV gallery wall – I’m hoping to do something similar in our family room so the TV can blend in and the fireplace can be the focal point.
    Thanks for the great post and inspiration!
    *pinned!
    Cheers,
    Denise

    Reply
  18. Julie Briones says

    July 28, 2019 at 8:10 pm

    Great tips for a popcorn ceiling. My kids are moving into a new rental home, and I will def be passing these tips on to them! Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About!

    Reply
  19. Judy says

    March 24, 2021 at 10:01 pm

    I should have read all of this information before I removed the popcorn ceiling in my vanity. Not worth the time or trouble. I will paint the ceiling but I am finished removing anymore. Will use the decorative suggestions.
    Thsnkd

    Reply
  20. Ellen says

    August 3, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    We just moved into a home with popcorn ceilings. They were all in great shape and very bright and clean except for 1 bedroom which looked really dingy. I was dreading painting them but before I tackled it, I got up there with a soft brush on the vacuum cleaner. Miracle!! That dingy-ness was just years of dust that collected up there. They look pristine.

    Reply

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