Painting ceilings can feel like a major challenge, but once you know the best techniques and approach, the whole process becomes much, much easier. In this guide, we’ll take a look at exactly how to paint a ceiling, covering the supplies you’ll need and some handy tips and tricks to save you time and hassle.

Before you begin, you'll need to assemble the necessary materials and tools. Here are some of the key supplies you’ll require:

Obviously, different projects will require different amounts of paint and primer. It all depends on the size of the job at hand, with bigger ceilings naturally needing more paint and primer to cover them up entirely. Try our handy paint calculator to get a precise estimate of how much paint you’ll need, based on the size of the ceiling you’re painting.

Painting a ceiling can seem daunting, but we'll break the whole process down into simple steps you can follow along with. With the right preparation and approach, your project just might feel easier.

First up, the best way to paint a ceiling starts with proper preparation. You'll need to get the ceiling and surrounding room ready to be painted. To start off, wipe down the ceiling with a clean damp cloth and mild soapy solution to remove any dirt, dust, cobwebs, and grime. This will help you avoid getting any dirt or hairs stuck in the paint, creating a smooth, even finish.

You’ll also need to remove any vents that might be present in the ceiling. Unscrew each vent with care, with the aid of a ladder and screwdriver, and set it aside during the painting process. This is a crucial step of how to paint a ceiling the right way, as any vents left in place are at risk of getting splashed with the paint, which can make the whole space look messy.

Ever wondered about how to paint straight lines between wall and ceiling? Well, it’s all done with tape. Painter’s tape, to be precise. Take some strips of this tape and run them along the trim and edges of the ceiling. The tape will cover up the trim so that you don’t accidentally paint any parts of it while doing the ceiling.

Priming a ceiling, just like priming a wall, can help to prepare the surface to be painted. A stain-blocking or specialty primer, like Valspar Multi-Surface, may be used to cover any marks, spots, or stains on the ceiling surface. Remember to leave the primer to dry for an hour or so before moving on.

Next, it’s time to start painting. Experts often say that the easiest way to paint a ceiling is to cut in from the outside. So, starting by the trim, use an angled brush and cut inwards along the ceiling. This will help you cover over the difficult edges to begin with, and you can then work your way towards the center as you go.

Once the trim and edges of the ceiling have been taken care of with your brush, you can start speeding up the process with the help of your roller. Grab a roller, dip it in the paint tray, and start spreading paint across the ceiling. Try to begin in one corner, and use straight line motions, all in the same direction. Focus on small sections, one by one, and proceed until the ceiling is covered.

Finally, once you’ve mastered how to paint ceiling edges and how to paint ceiling with a roller, you’ll need to finish the job correctly. With all the paint in place and given time to dry, get back up on your ladder and remove the painter’s tape from the trim. You can also take this time to fit the ceiling vents back in position and then step back and admire your hard work.