How To Paint Ceilings

From starry skies to crisp white and dreamy decorative designs, knowing how to paint ceilings like a pro can immediately elevate any space. Lighter ceiling paints add depth while a dark tone with light walls will create a cosier ambience.

Whether you’re a DIY expert or complete novice, painting a ceiling may look daunting, but there’s not that much to it. Follow our step-by-step process below and learn easy tips and tricks to transform your ceiling.

It’s important to prep your canvas for a smooth and even finish. Ensure any cracks or chips have been attended to with the help of our guide on how to repair walls and ceilings.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Materials:

Tools:

What is the best paint for ceilings?

With a whole world of paints on offer, choosing the best option for your project can appear daunting. Quick-drying, durable and with low odour, emulsion paints are a great choice for interiors. Generally thicker in consistency and easy to apply, emulsions are highly versatile and can be applied to a range of surfaces, including textured ceilings.

A little extra help: To achieve the best finish, try diluting your paint by 10%. This will leave the paint wetter for longer and avoid overloading your brush or roller.

How to paint a ceiling in 4 simple steps:

Mask the edge of the ceiling

Unless you’re planning to paint the walls as well, apply masking tape around the ceiling’s edges and any fixtures. The tape will create a crisp line and protect your walls should your hands slip. This is also the time to protect the surrounding area from potential paint drips with dust sheets.
Cut in

With a strong brew or coffee on hand, cut in around the ceiling first using a 5cm brush. Dip the brush bristles in the paint for about ⅓, wipe off excess and start painting toward the tape. Paint several centimetres onto the ceiling, making long strokes, feathering the edges and brushing back into the wet paint.
Paint the rest

Paint your first coat of ceiling paint, swapping your brush for a roller. Add an extension pole if you have one, that’ll help with mobility when painting high ceilings. To achieve a smooth and consistent result, work in sections. Don’t overload the roller – keep your coat of paint even.

A little extra help: Depending on the size of your ceiling, make 1 to 2-metre strokes. Work quickly so that the paint doesn’t get a chance to dry before moving on to the next section.
Carefully remove the tape

Timing is a tricky one when painting a ceiling. You want to give the first and/or second coat enough time to dry but removing masking tape works best while the paint is still slightly wet. After you’ve checked the finish, gently and steadily pull the tape in one direction to reveal the end result! Ensure any windows and doors are open to keep the room well ventilated.

A little extra help: If you’re embarking on a full-scale room renovation or simply giving your walls a quick refresh, check out our guide on how to paint a wall.

And that’s our super simple guide on how to paint ceilings! For more home decoration tips and DIY tricks, explore our Ideas & Advice hub.