Wall textures are only limited by your imagination. Joint compound is wonderful stuff to show off your DIY artistic talents. You can create an inexpensive decorative look. If it's new drywall, the joints and corners do need to be taped, finished, and sanded first. If you're using a light texture blemishes will show through. If you're using a heavier texture you can get away with some imperfections. If you're going over an existing finished surface you will need to repair any holes or cracks first.

I installed and finished drywall for 15 years. Texturing was my favorite part of the job. I worked with the homeowner or contractor until we settled on just the right texture. Texture is sprayed on, rolled on or knifed on. The spray textures like orange peel and popcorn are usually left to the professional. It requires special equipment and is very messy. So, I won't waste any time on those.

Doing any texture can be somewhat messy. If you're working on finished flooring, do cover it with plastic or tarps. Joint compound is water soluble, so clean up is a breeze if you do have a mishap. Provided of course you don't knock an entire bucket over. Nothing's a breeze when that happens! Yes, I've seen it happen.

The most common, the easiest, and the quickest method of applying joint compound is using a regular paint roller. A medium nap roller cover works the best. The thicker napped covers tend to grab too much joint compound and rolling on joint compound is a bit different than rolling on paint. Dip the entire roller into the joint compound. It will be hard to roll until it gets saturated. If you're still having trouble getting it to roll after a few dips, you may have need to add more water. See below.

Use the pre-mixed joint compound sold in 5 gallon buckets at any home improvement store. There is no real difference in brands, but you don't want to use the variety that marked lite. It has a different consistency. The joint compound will need to be thinned down before you apply it. I will refer to it as mud from here on out.

You can purchase a mixer attachment for a standard electric drill, or a hand mixer that resembles a giant potato masher. If you opt for the hand mixer be forewarned; it's a real work out doing it that way! It will take approximately 1 to 3 pints of water to get it to the right consistency. Do not put a lot of water in at one time or you'll splash it all back out trying to get started mixing.

Start with about a half pint of water

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