Cut and patch the ceiling as you normally do making it nice and smooth, and the easiest way to match get a texture ceiling spray (for your ceiling you would need an orange peel fine spray it will say on the can) and go over the patched area after it dries paint the entire ceiling to blend everything one color.

Awesome, thanks! Sounds very easy :-)

I've been told that you shouldn't paint over popcorn, though? The story goes that it will harden the popcorn, so that if you do try to strip it then you'll end up having to replace the entire ceiling. True or false? Or is there a special paint for this?

Since you only have a limited amount to repair it, you may want to just have a layer of sheetrock put over the top of the entire thing. You dont have orange peel, you have the regular old fashioned popcorn, and quite honestly, I have never seen a patch, done on it, that you couldnt spot if looking at a ceiling.

If you do decide to try and patch, then you need popcorn type spray. Not orange peel. And for painting, regular latex paint will disolve parts of it. To paint it, you need to put on a coat of oil based primer, and then you can paint it with latex paint.

Popcorn ceiling is commercially available in a spray can and in a ready to use tub.

Since you only have a limited amount to repair it, you may want to just have a layer of sheetrock put over the top of the entire thing.

I considered that, @cat_ky. The problem I have is that there's no good stopping point, so I'd end up having to do the kitchen, dining room, living room, and hallway! That becomes cost prohibitive. And honestly, doing that much mudwork and sanding over my head is pretty daunting! LOL

I have never seen a patch, done on it, that you couldnt spot if looking at a ceiling.

Well shoot, that's disappointing :-/ Maybe it would be best to strip the popcorn from the kitchen and dining room (stopping at the ridge), then put new popcorn just on those two rooms. In theory, if the color isn't a perfect match then it won't be noticeable using the ridge as a divider.

Pic taken just now so you can see the ridge and how the rooms are separated:

You can see how that ridge isn't lined up perfectly, which is another reason I'm hesitant to permanently remove the popcorn. That flawed line would be a LOT more noticeable with a flat ceiling!

Hi, That doesn't look like popcorn texture but rather blowing on sheetrock texture. I would suggest you patch the holes very smooth; Texture won't hide a bad patch. Get a can or two of spray texture and some cardboard to practice on. When you get the feel how that stuff works, then spray your patches. On a side note, about thirty years ago I was working in an apartment and had some minor patches to texture, well I started the first one and the can wouldn't shut off I had to run between patches before the can emptied, I got them all.

Good Luck Woodbutcher

Is this the spray texture you all are talking about?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Homax-Pro-Grade-14-oz-White-Popcorn-Ceiling-Texture/50253161

Should I prime first, or just spray it directly onto the drywall?

I started the first one and the can wouldn't shut off

Shoot, man, you're lucky that you were able to get to other patches!! It'd be just my luck for that to happen at the end, and I'd end up getting it all over the walls or something :-/

Can you just get a ceiling light with a really big base to cover those holes? It is North Carolina so I don't think anyone would notice..........LOL. kidding.

@Jason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC No this is the popcorn you showing, you need orange peel fine

Well, 3 people have told me 3 different types!! LOL How can I confirm and be 100% sure? It's not like paint that I can go have computer matched.

Can you just get a ceiling light with a really big base to cover those holes?

@outpaientzero, don't think that the idea of a skylight hasn't crossed my mind!! LOL

This whole level has been an irritant since I bought the place, though. The level itself is about 24' x 20', but the layout makes it look tiny!! And I haven't found a magical way to move things around and make it better.

That's one of the reasons I'd like to remove the chandelier in the dining room, and I shy away from pendants over the island: I want to make the area look bigger, and things hanging from the ceiling do the opposite.

Jason, grab a piece of drywall that you have hanging and bring it with you to the store and see what you would need to make the best match.