How to Paint a Ceiling—the Easy Way (2024)

The one caveat: If you're painting the ceiling a dramatic contrasting color to the walls, you'll want to tape off any molding and be careful not to get paint on the walls.

Should You Paint Your Ceiling and Walls the Same Color?

Steps to Paint a Ceiling

1. Apply Painter's Tape

   

   If you're only painting the ceiling, start by taping off the edge of the wall or crown molding.

   • Use a wider painter's tape to get the roller close to the corner without getting paint on the wall. This allows you to be less precise, so you can work faster.
   • Tape around any light fixtures or vents and cover ceiling fans.

2. Cover Everything

   

   Sometimes, what slows down a paint project isn't the painting itself but the cleanup afterward. Save yourself the headache by removing as much furniture as possible from the room and covering anything with plastic tarps.

3. Paint the Perimeter

   

   Like painting a wall, you'll want to start by "cutting in" or using a paintbrush to paint around the perimeter of the ceiling.

   • Using a 2- to 3-inch brush, start at the edge of the ceiling and paint into the ceiling a few inches.
   • Feather the strokes so the edge will blend in seamlessly once you use a roller to paint the rest of the ceiling.
   • If you plan to paint the ceiling and the walls, skip the painter's tape and cut in on the ceiling and the wall as you work around the room's perimeter.

   To make cutting in easier, make sure you're using the appropriate ladder for the ceiling height. Straining to reach is not only dangerous, but it will likely result in sore muscles the next day. Pour some paint into a small bucket to keep at the top of the ladder rather than attempting to bring the heavy can, which could cause disaster if it spills.

   If you have particularly high ceilings you can't comfortably reach with a ladder, it may be time to hire a professional painter.

4. Choose a Roller

   

   For smooth ceilings, a low-nap roller works well; for textured ceilings, try a 3/4-inch nap roller. When shopping for supplies, keep the ceiling height in mind and get the shortest roller extension pole to reach you comfortably. Getting too long of an extension pole means you'll be carrying more weight than is necessary.

5. Roll On the Paint

   

   Roll into the paint, and then use the textured side of the paint tray to roll off any excess. It may seem that more paint would help get the job done faster, but it will cause more drips and splatters. Roll on the paint with overlapping strokes to create a smooth, uniform surface starting in one corner of the ceiling.

6. Allow to Dry

   Once the entire ceiling is done, allow the paint to dry for 30 minutes. Then check if the surface needs any touchups. If the ceiling needs a second coat, wait until the first coat is completely dry. With latex paint, that means waiting between 1 - 4 hours before applying the second coat.

7. Clean Up

   Painting a ceiling may require more post-project cleaning than painting a wall (ceiling paint may cause more drips and splatters), but many steps are the same.

   Minimize clean-up efforts by prepping properly. At a minimum, move out as much furniture as possible and use drop cloths.

   • Rinse out rollers and brushes.
   • Wipe down any splatters on ceiling fixtures and ladders.
   • Remove drop cloths and inspect for additional splatter marks that need to be cleaned. Buff out marks on walls and flooring (and take additional steps to clean any paint out of a carpet).
   • Open windows in the room for additional ventilation for at least a few hours.