Painting a ceiling may sound simple, but it takes the right prep, tools, and a bit of stamina. Follow these 5 steps to keep your ceiling looking clean and bright.
It’s Not the Sistine Chapel (Thankfully)
Matt glares at his ceiling in frustration.
In all honesty, it’s the toilet upstairs he should be mad at it’s been leaking and left behind a big brown water stain.
Now he’s going to have to repaint his ceiling. The stain is so big he may as well do the whole thing.
He considers hiring a professional interior painter but decides to give it a shot himself. After all, he already fixed the toilet.
Tools and Materials for Ceiling Painting
Before you start, make sure you have everything ready:
- Hat and safety glasses
- Drop cloths
- Roller
- 2–2.5 inch brush
- Paint bucket
- Ladder or roller extender
- Ceiling/primer paint in one
Tip: Use a low-nap roller for smooth ceilings and a ½–¾ inch nap for textured ceilings.
An extension pole can help you reach high areas without a ladder.
Prepping the Room
This step is practically its own mini-project. Take time to do it right:
- Move furniture out or to the center of the room.
- Cover everything with drop cloths.
- Remove ceiling fans and light fixtures, covering the openings with plastic.
- Turn off the power to the room at the circuit breaker.
- For recessed lights, remove the bulb and gently pull the trim down.
- Clean the ceiling, vacuum corners and wipe with a damp rag.
- Prime the ceiling if it:
- Is bare drywall or wood
- Has stains or repairs
- Has a high-gloss finish
- Will undergo a drastic color change
If the ceiling is oil-based, you can still paint over it with acrylic paint.
5 Steps for Ceiling Painting
1. Tape and Prime
- Apply painter’s tape along all edges.
- Prime if necessary (see above).
2. Cut In the Edges
- Use a brush to paint a 3-inch border where the wall meets the ceiling.
- Feather the edges by painting more lightly as you move away from the wall.
3. Roll On the Paint
- Roll in straight lines toward yourself to avoid splatter.
- Work in 4×4 foot sections, starting from a corner.
- Paint each section in one direction, then cross-roll at right angles.
4. Smooth It Out
- After a few sections, lightly smooth the paint using a blank roller to even the finish.
5. Let It Dry and Inspect
- Check for missed spots or uneven coverage after it dries.
- Apply a second coat if necessary.
Pro Tip:
For vaulted ceilings, start at the highest point and work your way down.
Brush small areas in straight lines and smooth with a blank roller.
Please leave very high ceilings to professionals.
Good to Know
- Popcorn ceilings can be painted, but use a roller with a deeper nap.
- Textured ceilings need more paint to reach into grooves avoid soaking the surface.
- Always use slow, steady strokes to prevent splatter and streaks.
Goodbye Water Stain, Hello New Ceiling
Matt wipes his face with a clean rag, looking proudly at his freshly painted ceiling. Everything looks good, and now that the toilet leak is fixed, the stain won’t be coming back.
If things don’t go as planned, you can always learn how to fix a paint job