A freshly painted ceiling pulls a room together in a few ways. It lifts walls, brightens corners and gives a feeling of care that walls alone can’t convey. But ceilings are unforgiving. Glancing light highlights flaws, and even a small mistake can leave visible roller marks or uneven colour.

Haymes Paint have been helping Australians paint their homes since 1935. As a family-run business and Australia’s largest Australian-owned paint brand, we craft products that perform in Australian conditions, because we live with them too. Our ceiling paints are purpose-designed to make your job easier and the finish more professional. Whether it’s your first attempt or your tenth, each step can be improved for a ceiling that looks clean, even and effortless.

Why Ceilings Deserve More Attention

It’s easy to focus on walls and forget about the ceiling. But an unpainted or poorly finished ceiling can make even freshly painted walls look unfinished. Ceilings reflect light differently, often revealing imperfections more harshly than any other surface in the room.

Using the right ceiling paint makes all the difference. Expressions® Interior Ceiling has an ultra-flat finish that reduces light reflection and hides minor surface flaws, making it ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and common areas.

For bathrooms and laundries, Kitchen & Bathroom offers superior resistance to mould and moisture.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before you begin, gather everything you need so you’re not stopping mid-way through:

• Drop sheets to protect flooring and furniture
• Painter’s tape for walls, trims and fittings
• Ladder or extension pole for high ceilings
• Angled brush for cutting in edges and fixtures
• Roller with a 15mm nap for textured or flat ceilings
• Paint tray and stirrer
• Bucket and clean rags
• Ceiling paint matched to the room conditions:Expressions® Interior Ceiling for dry areasKitchen & Bathroom for high humidity zones

Your local Haymes Paint stockist can help you choose the right roller and tools for your space.

Preparing the Ceiling for Paint

This is where great finishes begin. Good preparation avoids future peeling, patchiness or stains bleeding through.

1. Clean the ceiling thoroughly to remove dirt, grease or mildew.
2. Scrape and sand away any flaking or loose paint.
3. Fill cracks and holes with a suitable filler and sand smooth once dry.
4. Mask all joins, walls, light fittings and fans with painter’s tape.
5. Prime any unpainted, stained or repaired areas with a recommended Haymes Paint undercoat to ensure even coverage.

Allow all surfaces to dry fully before painting. Rushing the prep will almost always show later. 

Cutting In with a Brush

Begin by cutting in the edges with an angled sash brush. Paint a border of around 50–70mm along the perimeter of the ceiling and around any fixtures. This creates a neat frame and ensures the roller doesn’t miss any corners.

Work in sections. Cut in an area of about two square metres, then roll that area while the paint is still wet. This helps blend the two sections and avoids visible lines.

Rolling the Ceiling for a Flawless Finish

Once the edges are done, it’s time to roll. Here's how to get the best result:

• Load the roller evenly, rolling off excess in the tray.
• Start in a corner and roll in a “W” or zig-zag pattern to spread the paint.
• Fill in with smooth, overlapping strokes in a consistent direction.
• Always keep a “wet edge” to avoid lap marks.
• Work towards the main natural light source in the room to reduce visible lines.

Allow paint to dry fully between coats, generally around two hours, depending on temperature and humidity. Two coats are usually best for a smooth, uniform finish.

Choosing the Right Ceiling Paint

Matching paint type to the room ensures durability and visual consistency:

For best results, use ceiling paints designed for their purpose, not just leftover wall paint.

Pro Tips for Better Results

• Avoid painting in humid or rainy weather, especially in coastal regions.
• Use daylight for visibility, but avoid strong, direct sunlight, which can dry paint too quickly.
• Let the extension pole do the work to minimise neck and shoulder strain.
• Take breaks regularly, rushed painting leads to uneven finishes.
• Ventilate the space well, even when using low-odour paints.

These small details make a big difference in how the final result looks and feels.

Ready to Get Started?

You now know how to paint a ceiling with confidence, from surface prep to the final coat. With the right tools, a steady pace and the proper paint, you’ll get a finish that looks professional and lasts.

If you're still unsure, we’re here to help.

• Find your nearest Haymes Paint stockist for expert advice and quality products
• Explore our full interior paint range

Bring your ceiling back to life with the finish it deserves.