Should you paint the ceiling or walls first?

Author: Raleigh Orn III  |  Last update: Thursday, May 8, 2025

1. Start with the ceiling. We recommend you start your decorating project at the top and work your way down. Taking this approach will allow you to avoid dripping any paint onto freshly painted areas.

What is the correct order to paint a room?

What is the correct order to paint a room? When painting a room, I recommend starting with the ceiling, followed by baseboard and window trim, and finishing with the walls. This sequence allows for less precision with ceiling and trim paint, as any imperfections can be covered when cutting in with the wall paint.

Do professional painters paint the ceiling or walls first?

Pro painting tips will usually tell you to follow a certain order when painting a room. They paint the trim first, then the ceiling, then the walls. That's because it's easier (and faster) to tape off the trim than to tape off the walls.

Is it better to paint the ceiling before the walls?

To avoid paint splatters on your walls, it's better to paint the ceiling before the walls. Begin by using a 2 ½ in. angled brush to "cut in" the edge of the ceiling surrounding the room. Then, use a ⅜" nap roller to paint the rest of the ceiling, rolling in a single direction.

What is the trick to painting ceilings?

Go heavy on the paint to help keep a wet edge. Ceilings are much hotter than walls and the paint dries faster. Make sure you are laying out your paint. After you get the paint on the ceiling, finish all over your strokes in the same direction. The stippling needs to go in the same direction or you will get shadows.

9 Rules for Painting Ceilings for a Perfect Finish

What not to do when painting a ceiling?

Ceiling painting mistakes to avoid
  1. Leaving it 'til last. ...
  2. Neglecting to prep the space. ...
  3. Skimping on paint. ...
  4. Picking the wrong finish. ...
  5. Skipping out on drop sheets. ...
  6. Forgetting to remove light fittings. ...
  7. Painting in the wrong direction. ...
  8. Not taking breaks.

Is it better to paint a ceiling with brush or roller?

Paint rollers are very popular, especially when painting large areas of space like walls or ceilings. They are much quicker to use than brushes, covering the area in a fraction of the time. Plus, when used properly can create a smooth, even finish.

Do you roll or cut in first when painting?

Always cut in first then continue painting with a roller. Cut in and paint with a roller one wall at a time. If you cut in all areas first and then roll the entire room, the paint that was applied when cutting in will have dried quicker and you will be left with a patchy, uneven finish.

Should you tape walls when painting a ceiling?

If you're only painting a room's ceiling, mask off the tops of the walls or the crown moulding with 2-inch painter's tape to keep roller marks off the walls. Avoid 1-inch tape, which is not wide enough to prevent the paint roller from touching the wall.

Is it better to paint the ceiling lighter or darker?

Vaulted, angled and asymmetrical ceilings, as long as the surface areas are flat, can sometimes be painted the same color as the walls. Again, use a darker shade for a more cozy feel and use a lighter shade to open up the room.

Is it okay to cut in one day and paint the next?

Key Takeaways: Cut-in and painting on the same day are recommended for the best results. Wait for the trim to dry completely before painting to avoid an uneven finish.

Do you put walls or ceiling first?

Hang the Ceiling First

This makes it much easier to manage and attach the panels since you will not have to fumble around with the screws, measuring tape, and so on.

Should ceiling paint be flat or?

Ceilings should almost always be painted in a flat, matte acrylic paint. The reason for this is that: Flat paint will not reflect light or draw attention away from the wall and room furnishings. Ceilings don't receive much wear and tear, so a glossy, durable paint is not necessary.

How much does it cost to paint the interior of a 1500 square foot house?

The cost to paint a 1,500 square-foot double-story home will average between $6,000 to $21,000 depending on the size of all floors. The price may vary if your 2nd floor is smaller than the ground floor.

Can I paint a ceiling after walls?

When you start with the ceiling, you can avoid splatters and drips from marring your freshly painted walls. Conversely, starting with the walls might seem simpler but often leads to more touch-ups and a less seamless finish.

Should you caulk before or after painting?

It is recommended to caulk before painting. Not only does unpainted caulk provide a less effective seal than painted caulk, but it tends to shrink, crack, and discolor over time, resulting in an unsightly finish.

How to get a perfect paint line between wall and ceiling?

Three Methods for the Perfect Line's
  1. Place painters tape on the wall, about 1/8″ down from the ceiling. Place a second piece on the ceiling, about 1/8″ out from the wall.
  2. Run a line of caulk along the opening in between the two strips of tape.
  3. ​Run a wet finger or ice cube along caulk to smooth.
  4. Remove tape immediately.

How long should you leave painters tape on the wall after painting?

Tape should be removed when it feels dry to the touch, which is ideally about an hour after painting. If it still feels gummy, leave the tape on overnight and remove it within 24 hours, when it finally feels hard and dry.

Should the ceiling be painted before the walls?

1. Start with the ceiling. We recommend you start your decorating project at the top and work your way down. Taking this approach will allow you to avoid dripping any paint onto freshly painted areas.

Do professional painters paint trim first?

Do you paint walls or trim first? From a professional point of view, with interior painting, it makes the most sense to paint your trim first, then ceilings, and then your walls. It's much easier and faster to tape off trim than to tape off your walls. And you definitely don't want the hassle of taping them both.

How to stop patchy paint when using a roller?

Try to maintain a wet edge. When using a roller keep the open side towards the area just painted. Try to complete one full surface at a time. Paint in an even grid pattern from top to bottom.

How do painters get perfect edges?

The only edger tool you need to paint the edges of your walls and ceilings is an angled paintbrush. When you use this brush, you will find it much easier to get neat cutting in. That's because the angle of these brushes gives you more control and precision in tight corners.

Is a paint pad better than a roller?

However, others suggest that the quality of finish from a paint pad is not as good as a roller. Alternatively, trim rollers can be used to speed up the cutting in around sockets, light switches etc, reducing the time you spend using a brush.

Do professional painters use brush or roller?

Professional painters typically use both brushes and rollers when painting. Brushes are used to apply paint in tight spaces or areas with intricate details, while rollers are used for larger surfaces like walls and ceilings.

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