A Guide to Popular Drywall Textures for Your Home or Business

When it comes to finishing drywall, texture adds personality, hides imperfections, and can give your space a custom look that sets it apart. At Thorp Drywall, with over 35 years of hands-on experience from Paso Robles to Santa Maria, we’ve seen trends come and go — and we still offer them all. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular drywall textures we can apply for your next project:
1️⃣ Smooth Finish

A sleek, clean finish perfect for modern homes, high-end renovations, and commercial spaces. This classic look is timeless and highlights your room’s lighting and color choices.
2️⃣ Orange Peel

A subtle texture resembling the surface of an orange, it’s durable, easy to maintain, and ideal for high-traffic areas or rental properties.
3️⃣ Knockdown

A favorite for modern homes, this texture starts like an orange peel but is troweled down slightly for a unique, rustic-yet-contemporary finish.
4️⃣ Slap Brush

Also known as ‘stomp brush’ or ‘panda paw’, this bold, textured pattern makes a dramatic statement — great for accent walls or ceilings.
5️⃣ Popcorn

Once the go-to ceiling texture for sound dampening, it’s still used in some projects today. We also specialize in safe, professional popcorn removal.
6️⃣ Santa Fe

A lightly hand-troweled texture with a smooth base and occasional sweeping areas of texture. Popular in Spanish and Mediterranean style homes.
7️⃣ Sand Swirl

Gentle, overlapping swirls of sand-infused compound create a soft, decorative look — perfect for ceilings and large open areas.
8️⃣ Hawk and Trowel

A layered, artistic hand-applied texture for a rich, old-world effect. Great for custom homes or commercial statement walls.

Thinking about upgrading your ceilings or adding a custom skylight?
We also specialize in drywall services for ceiling re-texturing and modern skylight installations, blending fresh light and design into your home.

Need help deciding? Contact us for samples or a free estimate!

📞 Call Phil at 805-441-7346 or visit thorpdrywall.com