Top tips for painting a ceiling

Perhaps you're looking for some way to inject a bit of life into your tired living room decor. If you know how to paint a home, then painting your ceiling a new tone could be an inexpensive, DIY method of giving your living surroundings a bit of a kick. 

If you're ready to embark on the job, here are some tips to keep in mind. 

Hue's the boss

Most people paint their ceiling white. "Boring" might be the first word that springs to mind, but remember that there are many different shades and hues of white. Look at the colour scheme of the rest of your room and think about which hue would go best - classy cream, or perhaps an understated off-white?

Don't tape out

If you're not painting the walls as well, then it's essential you put painter's tape around the room where they meet the ceiling in order to protect it from  your brush. Also put tape around lights and fixtures. While you're at, cover the walls with plenty of drop cloths so they're protected from stray drips. 

Remove the furniture

Get rid of as much furniture as possible so you can move freely and easily around the room. Cover what couldn't be moved in drop cloths. Be sure to take anything off the walls, too, such as mirrors or paintings - you don't want that priceless Picasso to get the addition of some of your handiwork. 

Drop it like it's cloth

Along with covering your walls and remaining furniture with a drop cloth, make sure you do the same to the floor. If you can't find a drop cloth, use something of similar thickness. Gravity has a way of making things fall, after all. 

Use a primer

Cover the ceiling with a coat of primer first, preferably one with stain-blocker. You'll thank yourself later when you only need to put on one coat of paint.