Nothing, if you like them. That’s all that matters.

I personally don't like them because they're difficult to keep clean. They don't look good once they've been painted over. We are slowly getting rid of all the popcorn in our house. The rooms that don't have it look so much brighter and the ceilings don't look dingy.

I had them in one house. Builders like them because they disguise flaws. Its easier than getting a smooth finish on drywall.

I dont hate them. They can get dingy and grey. Cobwebs, etc. I painted mine. When I had a choice I chose smooth.

we just had the last room cleared of popcorn from our mid 80s vacation home. messed up communications made it get painted over 5 years ago, instead of removed. the ceiling now looks much brighter without the shadows, and the room looks higher as well.

so, 1. ensnares dust and cobwebs which are difficult to swipe away with a feather duster 2. calls attention to low ceiling 3. creates shadows making even a clean popcorn ceiling look dirty.

i'm happy to have all of mine gone now.

They're a sure sign that the builder used shortcuts to save money. Popcorn is much cheaper than a quality finished ceiling. It's also the reason they do 'orange peel' finishes on walls (mostly out west).

Maybe it’s just a dated look? A sure sign the house hasn’t been updated since the 70s. Sometimes it covers poor drywall work, but I’ve scraped popcorn to find perfectly smooth drywall underneath. Just a change in fashion, but I agree they tend to hold more grime and cobwebs and smells. Yes - more surface area absorbs more smells.

Well, older ones can have asbestos.

Now, I think they are just associated with the idea the builder took shortcuts as popcorn ceilings do hide flaws well (bonus is they are also easier for average homeowner to repair and patch if needed!)

For me it is more a visual and textural thing. I prefer some type of light knock down ceiling myself, with a textured finish that is enough to be forgiving and interesting, but not to hold onto grime and dust like popcorn ceilings do. I like smooth too in certain homes, but it is less forgiving of flaws in the drywall and such (that said I am used to and prefer smooth for walls).

I think it is also regional. Just like orange peel walls seem commonplace in some areas whereas I only see smooth walls here at any price point, there are areas popcorn ceilings seem to still be done. I was recently visiting a friend with a new construction surrounding by other new/newer construction in range of $650,000 - $1,400,000 and many used a combination of smooth AND popcorn ceilings in same home, even in same room!

One or my childhood homes had popcorn ceilings....with glitter. My little brother had a top bunk bed and had sparkles on his face every morning. Ha ha.

It holds a lot of dust which invites spiders to nest and it looks dated.

If you don't like it ..one good option is to dry wall over it ! The other to use wood panels ...it's up to you to see if it's worth it ...BUT do NOT scrape the ceiling you could send asbestos or lead if it's built before 1979-1980 , airborne and inhale to your peril !!!!!!!!!!

I still say "cottage cheese" ceilings. Agree with them being hard to keep clean and looking very dated.

Weren't they also used to reduce sound?

The only way they are "wrong" is if they contain asbestos. And that's a concern specifically if they are disturbed. Otherwise it's really a personal preference. They do typically indicate a specific era (approximately 70s) so in that way they do "date" the home to a specific period of time. I've had them before and I found them to collect dust and spiderwebs more than smooth ceilings. However, some people like the look. And if you do, that's perfectly ok! It's a personal preference.

We have both smooth and popcorn in different rooms. They get dirty at the same rate. Both need repainting every several years to look nice.