Looking for a low-maintenance solution to cover textured walls in a basement bathroom near a shower used by guests to avoid the hassle of mudding and taping?
Asked by Harriet Wilson 
7 months ago
Last Updated: May 13, 2024
We had a bit of a mold problem in the basement, so we had to replace the drywall in the bathroom down there. The walls are looking pretty rough – any suggestions for covering them up without needing to mud and tape or match the texture? It’s right next to the shower, so it needs to be able to handle some water. We only really use it when we have guests over. Thanks in advance for any advice!
If you’re not too concerned about matching the texture perfectly, you could just make it flat with joint compound and paint the entire wall. It might not be super noticeable, but it will look a bit different. That’s what I would do. Otherwise, you’ll have to match the texture and paint the whole thing, and that’s a lot of work for a bathroom that doesn’t get used much…
Oh, that’s like a completely random semi-knock down texture. You could try using a can of texture and practicing matching it on some cardboard, but texture can be pretty expensive. I would just mud and paint it.
The previous wallpaper was unsuccessfully removed, so they just ended up painting over it. If it were me, I would opt to replace all the Sheetrock in the bathroom.
Personally, I’m not a fan of textured walls, so I would prefer to float the whole wall, then prime and paint. It’s a lot of effort, but I really dislike textured walls.
I always shoot texture on the entire wall, it’s a common practice for me
Those walls don’t seem to have any texture, maybe you should consider paneling them instead
If it appears that this is not important to you, consider paneling one wall with wainscoting. Mold the corners to create a cohesive look. It will appear clean and tidy.
I’m concerned about the potential for it to get wet next to the shower
This texture job looks like it was done by an amateur and is quite random. It’s not a common pattern used in home construction, so it should be easy to replicate. There’s no need to redo all the walls or install new drywall unless you have the budget for it. This basement bathroom isn’t really worth investing a lot of money into. Just do a basic patch job and save your money for a new bathroom in the future. Make sure to prime the ‘mud’ once it’s dry.
Wow, that German chocolate texture is quite something! It should definitely be showcased in a museum dedicated to 20th century craftsmanship
You’ve pretty much answered your own question there. Why not try covering it with something else? Maybe a tapestry or a large picture would do the trick.
I’m thinking a wallpaper wouldn’t adhere well to this material, right? Sorry, I’m new to this!
First off, it’s not 100% clear….From what I understand, that wall is probably some kind of wallboard, not concrete.
Here’s a simple solution: Just cover the wall again with new 1/2″ drywall, using longer screws to attach it securely.
Locate the existing studs and mark them on the floor about 1″+ away from the wall. This way, you’ll have a guide to screw vertically when putting up the new sheets.
Once that’s done, the process of taping, filling, and sanding the few seams should be quick. Then sand it down, paint over it, and you’re all set.
This whole task shouldn’t take more than 3-4 hours. I’d estimate about 1-1/2 hours to sheet it, another hour or so for the first coat/tape, and then 30 minutes for each subsequent finishing coat. Sanding should be a breeze…around 20 minutes or so. Painting might take about 1-2 hours.
Overall, this is fairly straightforward and simple work. If you attempt to smooth out/repair the existing wall, you’ll likely face a steep learning curve and end up sanding and redoing sections for a while without any guarantee of a flat, clean surface.
Best of luck. 🙂