Nothing brightens and refreshes a room quite like a fresh coat of paint on the ceiling, and we’ve got some handy tips on how to paint a ceiling like a professional.

Don’t leave your ceilings in the too hard basket – provided you prep well first, painting them is actually a pretty straightforward job.

Efficiently Paint a Ceiling Like a Pro

Things to know before you start painting

Here’s some quick tips and things to know, before you start to paint your ceiling:

1. If you’re planning on painting the entire room, then paint your ceiling first. This avoids paint splatters on walls that you’ve already coated.
2. You’ll need to prime as well as paint, especially if your ceiling has marks on it. This will ensure the marks don’t bleed through the paint. If you have water stains on your ceiling, they may still seep through, so it’s important to treat the area correctly first, before painting it.
3. Buy paint that’s made specifically for ceilings; because it has a flat finish, it’s ideal for hiding small imperfections.
4. If you’re planning on painting your ceiling white, you may need to do 3-4 coats over the primer to get the depth of white that you want. If you’re using a darker colour (like grey, or something bolder) then you should get away with 2 coats over the primer.

What colours should you use when you want to paint a ceiling?

While white is one of the most common ceiling paint choices, there’s also a wide selection of off-whites, creams and grey-based ceiling paints that may work better with your chosen wall colour.

If you’re thinking of going for a bold colour choice, just remember that darker colours may make your room feel dim and more closed in, especially if that room doesn’t get a lot of natural light.

Think about your room size, and what furniture and décor you’ll be using in the room when choosing a paint colour.

Trying out colours with test pots first can be a great idea. That way you’ll avoid making a costly mistake that you’ll either have to live with, or do-over.

What preparations do I need to do first?

Preparation is key in most things, but especially painting.

You’ll need to remove your furniture and take down anything on the walls, or at least cover everything securely with drop cloths or sheets.

Mask up your light fittings, and around the tops of the walls, to avoid painting the walls inadvertently (unless you’re planning on painting them next).

Should I use a brush or a roller to paint a ceiling?

Both. You’ll need to use a paint brush to cut into the corners, and then a roller for the rest of the room, both for priming and painting.

Using a brush for the corners will ensure a better finish, as you can miss bits or end up with too much paint pushed into the corners with just a roller. Work in sections, to ensure you get an even finish.

Using a roller with an extension handle will make your job easier; this will take some of the strain off your back and shoulders while painting each section.

How do I fix existing flaking or peeling paint on my ceiling?

If your existing ceiling paint is flaking or peeling, you’ll need to do some remedial work first.

This will include scraping the old paint off with either a paint scraper or wire brush. This may reveal cracks or holes, which will need to be patched, dried, sanded and cleaned, before priming.

Need Help to Paint a Ceiling?

Need your ceilings painted, but it’s not something you’re keen to tackle yourself? Let the experts help.

Here at Benjamin Painters, our Virginia painters are the residential painting experts.

Regardless of whether you’re in a new build, undertaking a renovation, have a peeling ceiling, or just want to freshen up your tired, dated décor, we can get the job done.

Give us a call today, if you’re looking for house painters in Virginia, and we’ll help bring your ceilings back to life.