When you think popcorn, do you gravitate toward the buttery goodness served at movie theaters, or do you picture textured ceilings? You might be shocked to know that although the sticky yet delicious popcorn you eat is loved by many, popcorn ceilings seem to have a love/hate relationship with homeowners. Just search online for "popcorn ceilings," and you'll find plenty of tutorials on how to remove this spray-on textured treatment. But there are plenty of benefits to having these ceilings.

Hide imperfections. The bumpy appearance is the perfect way to hide any imperfections as the texture creates small shadows on the surface. This darkening effect can mask cracks, damage, and poor drywall construction.

Inexpensive option. Popcorn ceilings are a more affordable option than painting the entire ceiling. You can easily do it yourself as it only involves spraying on the texture.

On the other hand, there's a reason why there are numerous tutorials online. These are just a few of the downsides to popcorn ceilings.

Hard to repair. If you experience a leak or crack on your popcorn ceiling, you need to cut out and replace the spot with a perfectly matched piece. Unfortunately, you will most likely need to redo the entire ceiling.

Difficult to clean. Because it has crater-like surfaces, popcorn ceilings oftentimes collect dust, dirt, and cobwebs. They can be hard to clean, especially because you can't wipe them down.

Sources: Apartmenttherapy.com, Homemy.info, Homelight.com