• Use texture to dress up ordinary walls.Electric wall plug at a green wall image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
  
  There are plenty of options for homeowners who are interested in changing their walls' appearance without much hassle or money spent. Wall texturing effects can be achieved through either drywall or painting. These techniques will give your walls a new dimension and can be used to create anything from a Venetian plaster look to an ornate granite appearance.
  
  

Drywall

• If you would like to add texture to your walls but would prefer not to do it through painting, you can add texture to your drywall. This is a more permanent texturing technique and isn't for those who like to remodel often. Drywall texturing is accomplished through a couple of different ways from adding texture to your plaster as you're working the drywall to spraying a texture directly on the drywall. These texturing compounds typically come in a powder mix and can be purchased at most home improvement store. After the drywall is dried, spray texture is evenly distributed on the wall to create the desired effect.
  
  

Leather

• If you're looking for a unique and luxurious finish, leather may be a viable option for you. To achieve the leather look by painting walls, first cover the walls with a cream latex paint using a roller. Cut a chamois cloth into 2- to 4-inch strips, then fold the strips in half width wise. Band the strips together at the folded ends with a rubber band. The finished product will resemble the head of a mop. Mix a tan latex paint with your glazing medium until you get the desired leather color. Use a roller to paint a portion of the wall you're concentrating on. Your glaze will dry quickly so work on a small area at a time. Dip your chamois bundle into a bucket of water, then wring it until it's damp. Pat the bundle against the wet glaze until you get your desired texture. As the glaze is drying pat a damp cloth against it to help soften the appearance.
  
  

Granite

• Granite is a beautiful and exquisite element that can be very expensive if genuine granite is used. There is a faux painting technique that can give your walls the same appearance without the hefty price tag. First use a base coat of black or gray to give the most realistic look. Use two or three alternate colors that would regularly appear in granite. Use a paint stirrer and drag it against the top of a whisk broom. This will cause the paint to flick against the walls. The best method is to use your darker colors first then finish up with your light colors. After you achieve a finished product to your liking and the paint has dried apply a few coats of polyurethane to the wall to ensure a long lasting finish.