From the Floors Up
  • Hard Flooring
  • Carpet
  • Tile & Stone
  • Hints & Tips
  • Design & Decorating
  • Maintenance
  • News
  • About

How to Remove Popcorn Ceilings

January 31, 2019 By creatingyourspace Leave a Comment

Throughout the 1930s to the 1990s, popcorn ceilings were installed in most homes. Recently, the style has become more obsolete and out-dated, leaving homeowners wanting to remove the dated ceiling look. If you find yourself wanting to get rid of your popcorn ceiling, we have the perfect DIY project for you. Let us get started!

Supply List:

    • Plastic Tarp
    • Spray Bottle
    • Drywall Knife
    • Wet/Dry Vacuum
    • Painter’s Tape
    • Sandpaper
    • Paint + Primer

Step One

Take off any air vents and cover or remove your light fixtures from the ceiling.

Step Two

Place a plastic tarp overtop of all of your furniture to prevent staining.

  • Pro-Tip: Most homeowners find it easier to place all of their furniture into the center of the room then put one giant tarp overtop of all it. This way you do not have to buy multiple plastic tarps.

Step Three

Grab an empty spray bottle and fill it with warm water. Once the bottle is filled, lightly mist the ceiling.

Step Four

Let the dampened ceiling sit for approximately fifteen minutes.

Step Five

Taking a file, you will want to file down your drywall’s knife. This will help to avoid “gouging.”

Step Six

Attach your drywall knife to a wet/dry vacuum head.

  • Pro-Tip: You can use painter’s tape to hold the pieces together.

Step Seven

Run the drywall knife + vacuum over your ceiling to remove the popcorn look.

Step Eight

Take sandpaper and run over any leftover rough patches.

Step Nine

Now that your ceiling has been “un-popcorned,” you will want to prime and paint the area. For suggestions on paint, contact your local paint store for their advice.

Step Ten

Let the ceiling dry before you move back your furniture and put the air vents/light fixtures back in place.

Please Note: It is essential to make sure you are safe during this project. Be sure to wear a face mask to avoid potential exposure to dust and debris. Also, if you own a home that was built before 1978,  you will need to test for lead and asbestos.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Do It Yourself (DIY) Projects

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive new post notifications via email.

Categories

  • Carpet (58)
    • Area Rugs (18)
  • Design & Decorating (456)
    • Color of The Year (4)
    • Do It Yourself (DIY) Projects (11)
    • Featured Designer (8)
    • Holidays (6)
    • Inspiration (119)
    • Interior Finishes (74)
    • Outdoor Living (23)
    • Seasonal & Holiday (29)
    • Small Spaces (7)
    • Style Quizzes (1)
    • Walls (13)
  • Hard Flooring (89)
    • Hardwood / Laminate (38)
    • Linoleum (2)
    • Specialty Flooring (5)
    • Vinyl / Resilient (4)
  • Hints & Tips (227)
  • Kitchen & Bath (131)
    • Backsplashes (7)
    • Countertops (14)
    • Lighting (17)
  • Maintenance (40)
  • News (135)
    • Featured (38)
    • Guest Post (18)
    • Monthly Recaps (5)
    • Promotions (2)
    • Q & A (26)
  • Seasonal (4)
  • Tile & Stone (63)
    • Ceramic/Porcelain (35)
    • Grout & Setting Materials (1)
  • Uncategorized (62)

Recent Comments

  • Josh on Pro’s and Con’s of Hardwood Floors | Part One
  • Christian Myers on Why We Love Laminate Flooring For The Kitchen
  • Iowa City Concrete on How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway
  • Andrew Wilson on How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway
  • Xpert Pro Balterio Parchet Laminat 12 mm Trafic Intens on Simple Guide to Cleaning Out Your Closet – Part 2

Recent Posts

  • Tips for Clearing Clutter
  • 5 Remodeling Projects To Take On Before the Holiday
  • Bathroom Remodel Advice
  • Choosing the Perfect Bathroom Tile
  • Ways to Use Patterns in Your Home

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

Recent Comments

  • Josh on Pro’s and Con’s of Hardwood Floors | Part One
  • Christian Myers on Why We Love Laminate Flooring For The Kitchen
  • Iowa City Concrete on How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway
  • Andrew Wilson on How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway
  • Xpert Pro Balterio Parchet Laminat 12 mm Trafic Intens on Simple Guide to Cleaning Out Your Closet – Part 2

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive new post notifications via email.

Copyright © 2023 From the Floors Up · Log in