How to Paint Corners and Walls Near a Ceiling in Omaha, NE

A fresh coat of paint updates and brightens the interior of your home in Omaha, Nebraska, more than any other decorating technique does. If you've ever tried a DIY approach to painting the interior of your house, you must have had trouble painting the tight corners and walls near the ceiling without getting paint on the ceiling.

Corners can prove tricky since it's challenging to reach these with a paint roller without getting streaks of paint on the ceiling. However, with the right paintbrush and correct techniques, you can paint even coats in those corners and walls near the ceiling without making a mess. If you want to avoid time-consuming and unnecessary touch-ups on the ceiling after painting your walls, consider the following techniques recommended by Brush & Roll Painting.

1. Cover the Floor and Furniture.

First, remove all the items you can from the room including wall hangings and décor, furniture, and appliances. Anything else that you can't move should be covered, including the floor using plastic sheets to avoid spilling paint on them. It would be best to cover electronic switch plates and any other outputs before painting can begin.

2. Paint the Ceiling First.

If you plan to paint your ceiling along with your walls, you should start with your ceiling. This is because painting the ceiling is much more difficult, and you're more likely to make mistakes than when painting the wall. Also, if you paint the walls first, paint from the ceiling may drip into the walls. You don't want to spend too much time doing touch-ups after the paint job.

Once you've finished with the ceiling, give it time to dry before applying a painter's tape. Applying the tape on a partially dry surface will cause the paint to come off. The time required for complete drying will depend on the product used, but it can be anywhere between 2 to 5 hours.

3. Apply the Painter's Tape.

Start by covering the ceiling near the wall using painter's tape. You should probably apply the tape in sizes of 2-3 feet. Longer strips can be difficult to align. Place one end of the first strip in the ceiling's corner where the ceiling meets the wall and press it flat against the ceiling. Make sure there're no pockets of air, which might allow the paint to sip under the tape. Apply as many strips as necessary; after you've finished, you should have a ring of tape around your ceiling.

4. Paint Along the Tape Using an Angled Brush.

Pour about 500ml of the paint into a small bucket or container. Using an angled brush, dip it in the paint, with most of the paint at the paintbrush's 1-inch bottom end. A bulkier brush could rub the excess paint against the ceiling. A flat angled paintbrush will ensure that no accidental paint gets to the ceiling as you paint along the tape.

Lay your paintbrush flat against the wall, starting at a corner of the room. The brush's bottom edge should barely touch the painter's tape to ensure that the paint extends to the wall's highest point. Use the paintbrush to paint a section of 5cm from the top of the wall. This will allow you to paint the rest of the wall using a roller with ease.

The process of painting along the entire perimeter of the room is known as "cutting in," which is commonly used by pro painters when applying paint to tight spaces like this. In the end, you should have a painted strip of 5cm all around the top of the wall. Paint the rest of the room, as usual, using a paint roller.

Bottom Line

Painting walls and corners near a ceiling can be quite tricky for any first-time or inexperienced painter. With the above guidelines, it should be relatively easy to paint the corner and walls close to the ceiling without making a mess. If you're unsure you can make it, you should probably hire a professional painting contractor in Omaha, Nebraska, for help.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we know that home painting is a serious investment. We also believe that any paint job is only as good as the prep. If you want a quality paint job that will stand the test of time, give us a call at (402) 932-9764 or schedule an estimate online.