How to Paint Stripes on the Ceiling

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Paint Stripes on the Ceiling

How to Paint Stripes on the Ceiling

if you're feeling daring, give it a try!

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Step 1 of 17

when painting anything, the first step is always PREP work! this is the most important part, and if you skimp here, it will show!

Step 2 of 17

- put down the drop cloth - take a towel and wipe down the surface to remove debris - gather your materials - calculate width of the room/width of each stripe

Step 3 of 17
here is my sexy husband (yes, in overalls!!) he is doing a spectacular job measuring each stripe, marking with a pencil, and then we tape it together.

here is my sexy husband (yes, in overalls!!) he is doing a spectacular job measuring each stripe, marking with a pencil, and then we tape it together.

Step 4 of 17

our bathroom is small, so each stripe was 13.25" with a total of 7 stripes.

Step 5 of 17

when pushing down the tape, DO NOT slide your fingers on the tape, across the ceiling - it will make the tape swag and you will have crooked lines. INSTEAD firmly tap every couple inches than slide.

Step 6 of 17
the tape needs to be really stuck to the ceiling so that the paint doesn't seep through. if you have an obtrusive wall, like we do, keep going as if it weren't there - keep it clean and conform.

the tape needs to be really stuck to the ceiling so that the paint doesn't seep through. if you have an obtrusive wall, like we do, keep going as if it weren't there - keep it clean and conform.

Step 7 of 17

we did yellow and white stripes. the blue tape is on the white stripe side, making the white stripes look narrower than the yellow stripes.

Step 8 of 17
choose a BOLD color, shake well, use a screwdriver to pry open can, carefully pour into a plastic cup, and wipe the can of excess with a paint brush!

choose a BOLD color, shake well, use a screwdriver to pry open can, carefully pour into a plastic cup, and wipe the can of excess with a paint brush!

Step 9 of 17
now, the FUN part! PAINT! we used paint brushes because our bathroom is so small, but if you have a large/tall enough space, use the roller and extension. you can go over the tape a bit, just be aware

now, the FUN part! PAINT! we used paint brushes because our bathroom is so small, but if you have a large/tall enough space, use the roller and extension. you can go over the tape a bit, just be aware

Step 10 of 17

as you can see in the last picture, we weren't concerned with "cutting in" around the edge of the ceiling. this is because we are painting our walls too. if you are not painting your walls, cut in!

Step 11 of 17
we did two even coats and let them dry for a couple hours each. we wanted to give them plenty of time, and also do the project right! sometimes that means taking a little more time, and that's okk!

we did two even coats and let them dry for a couple hours each. we wanted to give them plenty of time, and also do the project right! sometimes that means taking a little more time, and that's okk!

Step 12 of 17
when pulling down the tape BE CAREFUL, you don't want the paint to peel with the tape. double the tape back over and away from the stripe - this helps to give a clean line.

when pulling down the tape BE CAREFUL, you don't want the paint to peel with the tape. double the tape back over and away from the stripe - this helps to give a clean line.

Step 13 of 17
VOILA! when you're done, finish painting the walls by cutting in the ceiling, be careful not to get paint on your new stripes! we love how it turned out!

VOILA! when you're done, finish painting the walls by cutting in the ceiling, be careful not to get paint on your new stripes! we love how it turned out!

Step 14 of 17
you can vary size, color, or sheen of the stripes, it's a really individual project to what YOU like, so mix it up! you could even do chevrons!

you can vary size, color, or sheen of the stripes, it's a really individual project to what YOU like, so mix it up! you could even do chevrons!

Step 15 of 17
Step 16 of 17
Step 17 of 17
REMEMBER: have fun! put on your favorite playlist, shake your booty, and enjoy this fun project with your friends! (we look a lil' silly in this picture, oh well! haha)

REMEMBER: have fun! put on your favorite playlist, shake your booty, and enjoy this fun project with your friends! (we look a lil' silly in this picture, oh well! haha)

You're Done

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Santa Barbara, CA
I'm a preschool teacher married to an auto mechanic. We share our lives with our two pups: Holley, our yellow lab, and Howard, the St. Bernard. <3

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9 Comments
Supplies

Paint

Paintbrushes

Blue Painter's Tape

Drop Cloth

Roller and Nap

Tape Measure

Pencil

Ladder

Fan

Plastic Cup

Sam D

Looks great, thank you. Wish you had talked about the prep work in more detail though.

Sam D last month

Jessica Self

it kinda has that feel, huh? thanks! we are definitely enjoying it!

(author) 8 months ago

Alice Wujciak

You're at the beach!

Alice Wujciak 8 months ago

Jessica Self

lol, luff it! it turned out so cool! I hope you all enjoy it or can try it out in your homes!

(author) 9 months ago

Bri N

GOLD ON THE CEILING lol

Bri N 9 months ago

Jessica Hynes Leahy

Loved the idea ... And the 2 of you are cute as heck !

Jessica Hynes Leahy 9 months ago

Tabasom Sam

That was great idea. Neat and nice

Tabasom Sam 9 months ago

Madge Allende Pascal

Excellent many thanks for that

Madge Allende Pascal 9 months ago

Amy Nixon

Love it !!

Amy Nixon 9 months ago

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Jessica Self

aw, thanks! we're newlyweds, so I'm sure that explains a lot, lol.

(author) 8 months ago

Tabasom Sam

Lool lovely couples

Tabasom Sam 9 months ago

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Jessica Self

aw, well I totally understand - $$ is tight for everyone right now, and I don't want anyone to risk it just for a party, so no worries if uu can't make it - we will miss uu tho!

(author) 8 months ago

Stacy Monclus

Ah well it'll be worth the wait! You guys have the best home decor teamwork. You should have a show, I'd watch it everyday. I'm trying to make coming down work. So broke, but I would be bummed if I missed such an awesome night...

Stacy Monclus 8 months ago

Jessica Self

lol, thanks Stacy! can't wait for uu to see it! unfortunately, the rest of the projects in that bathroom are a bit stalled... but, the guest room is finished, so you can take advantage of that when uu visit! uu should come down next weekend for the circus party!!

(author) 8 months ago

Stacy Monclus

This came out so good, you guys are professionals!

Stacy Monclus 9 months ago

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Jessica Self

thank you! we definitely enjoy home projects!

(author) 8 months ago

Tabasom Sam

Artists

Tabasom Sam 9 months ago

Devon Claire Flannery

Awesome guide! You're so crafty.

Devon Claire Flannery 9 months ago