How to Make Swirl Ceilings With a Sponge

Adding texture to a ceiling allows you to increase the interest in a room's decor without overwhelming it. Vary the look of the ceiling with subtle texture by creating patterns in joint compound before it dries. This isn't too challenging -- but if you have artistic capabilities, you can create elaborate swirl patterns. A basic swirl pattern is created using overlapping swirls that give a soft, half-moon pattern to the ceiling.

Ready-mix joint compound
Bucket, 5-gallon
Cast head mixer
Drill
Trowel
Large sponge

Instructions

- 1
  Mix the joint compound by scooping 2 gallons of compound out of the bucket, into a clean 5-gallon bucket.
- 2
  Add 4 oz. water to the bucket.
- 3
  Attach a cast head mixer to a drill and slowly stir the contents. Hold the bucket securely between your feet as you mix, or have someone assist you. The compound should look like smooth cake frosting.
- 4
  Scoop up some of the compound onto a 1-foot trowel and spread it onto the ceiling so it's 1/8-inch thick. Start at the edges and work into the center until the entire ceiling is covered.
- 5
  Set your sponge in one corner on the ceiling. Hold one end still and spin the sponge around the end to create a circle. Create a row of circles across the length of the ceiling.
- 6
  Start the next row of circles so that they overlap the previous row, turning the first row into half-circles. Continue in this way until the entire ceiling is covered.

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