How to Do a Knockdown Ceiling With a Stomping Brush & a Trowel

Remove all of the furniture from the room. Drape the floor with plastic or cloth drop cloths to avoid any staining from dripping drywall mud. Line the edges of the walls where they meet the ceiling with masking tape.

Mix drywall compound and water in a 5-gallon bucket using an electric drill with a paddle bit attachment. Add enough water to the compound to create a mix that’s thin enough to spread easily without dripping once placed -- about the consistency of a thick cake batter.

Spread the mix onto the ceiling with the paint roller attached to an extension pole. Cover the entire ceiling with the drywall mud, working from the edges towards the center of the ceiling. The spread mix will provide the background on the ceiling for the knockdown texture.

Attach the stomping brush to the end of an extension pole. Dip the brush into the drywall mud and then remove the brush with a slight shaking motion to remove excess material. Press the brush onto the ceiling and then pull it away to leave upraised points of drywall mud behind. Work from one edge of the ceiling to the other with the brush, keeping the bristles wet at all times to avoid pulling too much of the mud away from the surface. Allow the mud to set for 30 minutes until it becomes tacky, but remains damp.

Drag the trowel along the ceiling while holding it at a shallow angle. You’ll need a stepladder to achieve the height necessary. Cut off the peaks of the standing texture with the edge of the trowel, leaving the base of the texture in place along the ceiling’s surface. Allow the compound to cure for 24 hours before removing the drop cloths and returning the furniture.