Ceiling Painting

Ceiling painting involves applying fresh coats of paint to your overhead surfaces, transforming rooms with brighter, cleaner finishes. Whether you're covering water stains, updating outdated colors, or simply refreshing your space, this project requires proper prep work and technique to avoid drips and uneven coverage. From choosing the right sheen to tackling textured surfaces, Angi connects you with local pros and helpful guides to get the job done right.

Related to Ceiling Painting

Ceiling Painting Articles and Advice
Becca Lewis  •  Apr 10, 2026
Pros and Cons of Painting Your Basement Ceiling
You can paint your basement ceiling to brighten up a dark space while leaving the beams open, but you won’t get added insulation. There are the pros and cons of painting a basement ceiling.
Rachel Hoffman  •  Apr 10, 2026
The Best Bathroom Ceiling Paint
Knowing what paint to use for your bathroom ceiling can prevent mold and mildew. Learn how to choose the best paint for your bathroom ceiling.
Rachel Hoffman  •  Apr 9, 2026
Painting Ceiling Same Color as Walls: Pros and Cons
Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls is a popular modern design choice. Learn the pros and cons so you can decide if it’s right for your home.
Kyle Schurman  •  Apr 6, 2026
How to Paint a Water-Damaged Ceiling
When a ceiling has stains, you can follow a few steps for how to paint a water-damaged ceiling yourself—or a pro can fix the damage and paint for you, too.
Amy Freeman  •  Mar 19, 2026
The 6 Best Tips for How To Paint High Ceilings
Ceiling more than 10 feet high and in need of a refresh? Find out how to paint high ceilings safely for a room that looks pulled together.
Haley Nothstein  •  Mar 17, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Ceiling? [2026 Data]
Looking to breathe new life into your space with a ceiling refresh? Learn about the cost to paint a ceiling and what factors can affect your total.
Angi  •  Dec 21, 2025
Who to Hire to Paint Ceilings
Wondering who to hire to paint ceilings? Compare pro painters vs. handymen, learn how pros work, and make a confident choice today.
Kate Fann  •  Feb 29, 2024
How to Touch Up Ceiling Paint in 6 Simple Steps
Looking to touch up your ceiling paint? Here’s what you need to know.
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Common Ceiling Painting Questions

To paint the ceiling above stairs, use a stair leveler on the ladder so that you always remain on a solid surface while painting. Indoor scaffolding may also be an option, depending on the height of the ceiling and whether there’s a landing you can leverage. An extension pole will give you a little extra reach when painting above the stairs.

A five-gallon bucket of ceiling paint will cover between 1,750 to 2,000 square feet with a single coat. Most ceilings will require two coats, so in reality, you’ll be able to cover between 875 and 1,000 square feet of coverage from five gallons of paint. A single gallon is more than enough if you only paint the ceiling in one room since one gallon of paint covers 350 to 400 square feet with a single coat.

While spray paint is a common method for painting a ceiling, it's not a good idea to use spray paint for touch-ups. While spray paint delivers a light coat, you could end up with an uneven finish as you risk painting areas that don't require touch-ups. A roller or brush is a better option for a targeted paint job like touch-ups.

If your ceiling paint is still in good condition, you can bring a piece of it into many paint or hardware stores, and they’ll use software to match it. However, if your paint is faded, you may not be able to get an exact match. If so, check your home and basement to see if there are any leftover paint cans. If you can’t find any, you’ll likely need to pick a new color.

In general, it’s good practice to apply at least two coats of ceiling paint for the best results. However, the actual number of coats you’ll need for optimal coverage varies based on the ceiling’s condition, the paint quality, and whether or not you use primer. If you’re moving from a dark to a light color, you may need to add extra coats of paint.