Popcorn Ceilings Are Popular Again! (A Note on Hospitality)

Have you heard popcorn ceilings are popular again? No? Perhaps you’ve watched numerous home improvement shows where the removal of popcorn ceilings topped the to-do lists. Or, maybe you’ve overheard hate speech directed toward ceilings with “cottage cheese.”

That’s what happened to me. Rumors of its inferiority were circling when we built our house in 1999. But I was so happy and thankful for the opportunity to build a house I didn’t mind declining a more expensive smooth ceiling. I’ve always been 10 years behind the trends anyway. By the time something begins to grow on me, it’s out of fashion again.

We have always loved inviting people into our home. The house receives the best cleaning for first-time guests. When my kids were growing up, they probably thought I liked it too clean because I always enlisted their help.

Occasionally, I’d buy a new dishtowel, welcome mat, or toilet seat–whatever needed replacing the most. But the ceilings never bothered me. Well, except for when our daughter’s future in-laws visited us for the first time. My family did not tell me about a fiasco that had happened the night before. Apparently, a milkshake had met our dining room ceiling. I was horrified viewing it alongside the future in-laws. But that’s another story.

The Popularity of Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings have been around for a long time. They gained popularity after WWII during the housing boom. Easy and inexpensive, it helped families get into their new homes quickly.

However, years later, when the asbestos issue surfaced, the downward spiral began. Even after popcorn ceilings were made safe, the stigma lingered. Eventually, laws ensured asbestos was not a concern in building future homes. Nonetheless, some people still consider the existence of popcorn ceilings somewhat “less than.”   

For some, all it takes is one bad rap and they’re done. Others may reserve their judgment for a while.

Influential Dissatisfaction

I’m unsure when the comments about popcorn ceilings began influencing me. I didn’t realize they did until one day, my husband suggested we invite some new friends over for dinner. Even I was surprised by what popped out of my mouth, “Oh, no. Let’s meet them at a restaurant. I heard them say how much they hate popcorn ceilings.”  

Hmmm . . .

I pondered about popcorn ceilings for a while after that. Two specific thoughts came to mind.

One, it’s totally fine if people prefer their ceilings to be smooth, sloped, cathedral, or whatever. However, we must be careful about how we talk about our preferences in front of others. We can convey our personal tastes and even our excitement over a remodel without causing someone else to feel they have less than.

I know the people my husband wanted to invite would not think twice about our ceiling. They may not even remember mentioning the popcorn ceiling in a conversation. And they certainly would never say something to offend anyone intentionally.

This makes me pause to wonder if I have ever inadvertently said anything that may have made someone feel badly about where they live or work, or what they have or don’t have. I hope not. But, if I have, I am sincerely sorry.

Secondly, those of us who hesitate to invite people to our homes because of something we think we have or don’t have—need to reassess the value of our homes. You know I’m not talking about the physical value, right?

Most of the time, our reservations stem from what we’ve heard the world say. We may be allowing television, social media, and zealous DIYers to have too much influence. There’s nothing wrong with making repairs and changing a few things as our tastes change.

But, if we postpone inviting someone over for coffee until we have our homes updated with the latest trends, we will never have anyone over!

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” Hebrews 13:1-2, (ESV).

Porches Are Popular, Too

Hospitality can be shown in various ways. But when it is in your home, don’t worry about what you will eat, drink, or wear—nor if your house is pristine with state-of-the-art everything.

Planning for guests is wise, but not to the point that it causes undue stress. Occasionally, an impromptu glass of sweet tea and a friendly chat on the front porch are all that’s needed. Remember Abraham’s hospitality to the three angels? He fed them under a tree outside of his tent.  

I’ll never forget the day my grandparents made a surprise visit. My house was a total wreck—laundry, dirty dishes, the whole gamut of young motherhood. It would’ve been bad enough if it had been just them. But it was worse. They brought friends I had never met before.

I’m ashamed to say I met them on the front steps and told them the baby was asleep and my house was too messy for guests. Even though the baby truly was asleep, I should have asked for two minutes to clear the den and invited them inside. Or, at least, offered them a chair and a drink on the front porch. Even though they were so gracious and understanding, I’ve always regretted my choice that day.

What’s Under Your Roof?

The value of your home is not based on what’s in your wallet or under your roof. All kinds of ceilings, including popcorn, are popular—if love, joy, and peace abide underneath them. It’s not what’s under your roof but Who.

Can you think of a person or family who would relish an invitation to fellowship with you at your house? Don’t wait. Call them today and set a date!

Motivated by the power of story, history, and His Story, Sally Matheny’s passion is telling the next generation wondrous things.

Her nonfiction writing appears in worldwide, national, and regional publications including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse.

She and her husband live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are blessed with three children, two sons-in-law, and armfuls of grandbabies. Connect with Sally on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.