How to Paint Ceilings

Painting your ceiling can seem like a tough task, but following these expert ceiling painting tips and using Benjamin Moore Anti-mould Ceiling Paint can help you get the job done right.

While classic white ceiling paint is a go-to for homeowners, why not consider a colour? A rich navy blue or deep black ceiling can blur the boundaries of a room, making it look endless yet intimate. Painting a ceiling with a lighter shade or a slight variation of your wall color delivers depth and dimension, without breaking the unity of the existing colour scheme.

Step #1: Gather the Right Tools and Paint

Step #2: Select the Right Paint Colour

Step #3: Get Your Space Ready

Step #4: Prepare the Ceiling and Walls for Painting

Step #5: Roll Like a Pro

The Best Way to Paint a Ceiling

What’s the best way to paint a ceiling? Watch our how-to video for step-by-step guidance on how to paint a ceiling the right way and get amazing results you’ll love.

What to Consider Before Painting a Ceiling

Before you begin painting your ceiling, you need to choose the right hue. Make sure you select a colour for your ceiling that works well with the rest of the room. While ceiling imperfections are common, you can easily achieve a virtually flawless finish — in any colour — with ultra-flat Anti-mould Ceiling Paint.

When choosing a paint colour for your ceiling, keep the space’s lighting in mind. The amount of natural light your room receives and the direction it faces will affect how a colour appears, especially in strong sunlight.

Once you’ve decided on a colour, make sure you have the appropriate tools and paint products to complete your job.

Supplies Checklist

2½-inch angle sash brush


Roller, sleeve, and paint tray

Extension pole


Benjamin Moore Anti-mould Ceiling Paint

Painter’s tape


Ladder

Step 1: Gather the Right Tools & the Best Paint for Ceilings

To get started, you will need a 2½-inch angle sash brush; painter’s tape; a roller, sleeve, and paint tray; an extension pole; a step ladder, and Anti-mould Ceiling Paint.

Make sure your brush and roller sleeve are high quality and that your roller sleeve is the appropriate nap for your ceiling texture. When it comes to the best type of paint for ceilings, Benjamin Moore’s Anti-mould Ceiling Paint is a “dead flat” paint that applies smoothly, hides most ceiling imperfections, and is specially formulated to minimize both lap marks and splatter.

Step 2: Select the Right Paint Colour

White is a common ceiling choice, but you can paint your ceiling virtually any colour, as Benjamin Moore offers thousands of options and can also match any shade. Our Anti-mould Ceiling Paint is an ultra flat finish that’s available in all 3,500+ Benjamin Moore colours.

Feeling stuck? You can always visit our showrooms for advice.

Step #3: Get Your Space Ready

“What should I paint first: the ceiling or the walls?” This is a common question for those who will be painting a ceiling for the first time.

The answer: Always paint the ceiling before the walls. Also, always cover everything below the ceiling with drop cloths, and try to empty the room completely to make the job easier. If possible, remove the overhead light fixtures. If you cannot remove the fixtures, use painter’s tape to protect them from spatter or use your brush to cut around them carefully.

Step #4: Prepare the Ceiling and Walls for Painting

When painting a ceiling, follow this order to avoid making mistakes:

  1. Paint the edge of the ceiling where it meets the wall, cutting in like you would cut in a corner. If your project also includes painting the walls, start at the ceiling line, brush into the corner, and feather the paint 2 to 3 inches down the wall. If you won’t be painting the walls, protect them with painter’s tape or use the brush to cut in a nice straight line along the ceiling’s edge.

  2. Switch from brush to roller to paint the rest of the ceiling. Starting at a corner of the ceiling, roll toward a window so you can see the light from the window reflecting off the wet paint. Then work your way across the room, rolling slowly whenever you’re near a wall to help avoid hitting it.

If you need a primer, apply it using the steps outlined above prior to applying paint.

Step #5: Roll Like a Pro

Use these expert tips to improve your rolling technique when painting a ceiling:

  • Each time you load your roller, move to an unpainted area and work back into a painted area.

  • Paint the entire ceiling in one session so the paint dries uniformly.

  • Wait for the first coat to dry to determine if a second coat is needed.

Get Advice & Complimentary Swatches

If you need help in choosing your colour, come by any of our stores today to see all our colours on display. Our colour experts will also be glad to assist you in choosing the shade that truly suits your space. Also, you get to bring home complimentary swatches which are true to colour for your consideration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to paint a ceiling?

When painting a ceiling, it is best to start by painting the edge where it meets the wall. Cut in the ceiling like you would cut in a corner. If you will be painting the walls too, start at the ceiling line, brush into the corner, and feather the paint 2 to 3 inches down onto the wall. If you won’t be painting the walls, protect them with painter’s tape or use the brush to cut in a nice straight line along the ceiling’s edge.

Switch from brush to roller to paint the rest of the ceiling. Starting at a corner of the ceiling, roll toward a window so you can see the light from the window reflecting off the wet paint. Then work your way across the room, rolling slowly whenever you’re near a wall to help avoid hitting it.
Which direction should you paint a ceiling?

After painting the edges of the ceiling with a brush, you can use a roller.

When deciding which direction to paint a ceiling, start at a corner of the ceiling and roll toward a window so you can see the light from the window reflecting off the wet paint. Then work your way across the room, rolling slowly whenever you’re near a wall to help avoid hitting it.
Do you need to prime the ceiling before painting?

Most previously painted, undamaged, and untainted ceilings and walls do not require priming, especially when using a high-quality interior paint. Some special instances, however, require a ceiling primer:

  • Adhesion (nonporous or glossy surface)
    Bonding primers increase adhesion over an existing glossy finish or a nonporous substrate like paneling.
    Recommended Primer: INSL-X STIX Primer

  • Hide (colour change)
    Primer helps to obscure or hide an existing dark colour that will be painted over with a light colour or vice versa.
    Recommended Primer: Fresh Start High-Hiding Primer

  • Uniformity (porous surfaces or new drywall)
    Primer fills and evens out porous surfaces like new drywall. New drywall should always be primed, because it’s very porous and therefore can absorb moisture, odours, oils, or other stains.
    Recommended Primer: Ultra Spec Zero VOC Primer

  • Seal (stain blocking)
    Stain-blocking primers suppress stains from smoke, tannins, or water. Without a primer, those stains can continue to show through, even after painting.
    Recommended Primer: Prime Lock Plus Alkyd-based Primer

  • Enamel Holdout
    Some surfaces require alkyd-based primers for better bonding and adhesion.
    Recommended Primer: Prime Lock Plus Alkyd-based Primer
How do I get a perfect line between my wall and ceiling?

If you want to create a perfect line between your wall and ceiling, use painter’s tape to protect the wall or use the brush and a steady hand to cut in a nice straight line along the wall’s edge.
How do you paint a ceiling without leaving roller marks?

You can avoid leaving roller marks by employing a few simple techniques when painting your ceiling:

  1. Each time you load your roller, move to an unpainted area and work back into a painted area.

  2. Paint the entire ceiling in one session so the paint dries uniformly.

  3. Wait for the first coat to dry to determine if a second coat is needed.