How to paint a ceiling!

You can’t just freshen up your decor by just painting the walls, go the whole hog and paint the ceilings as well.

You will need :

- Overalls and other protective gear
- Angled brush
- Your chosen paint
- Roller
- Tray
- Extension handle

The ceiling should always be painted first, followed by the walls, then to finish the woodwork should be varnished or glossed. Generally you will need the same equipment for painting a ceiling that is used to paint the walls, but you can choose to invest in an extension handle which will extend the length of your roller. 

Using an extension handle in the safer and more efficient alternative to painting your ceiling from a step ladder. The first stage of painting a ceiling is cutting in, create a border of paint (approximately 2 to 3 inches wide) so that you can roll without the danger of getting paint onto your cornices and the walls below. Unlike painting a wall, which should be cut in and rolled wall by wall, you should cut in as you go when painting a ceiling. 

This will allow you to work with a wet edge whilst rolling larger areas to avoid a banding effect or ridges, which show up when the paint has dried. Start at one corner and cut in a small section and roll, working your way around the ceiling.

When it comes to rolling the larger areas, attach the extension handle and dip the roller into the tray, take extra care to distribute the paint evenly via rolling the roller onto the grate. Avoid overloading your roller, paint will not defy gravity and your overalls will get covered! Roll in parallel lines across your ceiling for a flawless effect when dry.