interior
Ceiling Painting & Restoration
Expert ceiling decoration from simple refreshes to ornate restorations
From £250 per ceiling
Standard room ceiling with preparation. Ornate cornicing, high ceilings requiring scaffold, and restoration work priced individually.
Typical Duration
1 day per room for standard ceilings
Free Consultation
No-obligation quote and colour advice
Ceilings are often the most neglected surface in a room, yet they have an enormous impact on how a space feels. Whether you need a simple white ceiling refreshed, intricate cornicing picked out in complementary tones, or a period ceiling rose restored to its original splendour, our ceiling specialists deliver results that are literally above and beyond. We work efficiently overhead using low-mess spray and roller techniques that keep your room clean.
About Our Ceilings Service
A freshly painted ceiling brightens a room more dramatically than almost any other decorative intervention. Yet ceiling painting is a task that many decorators approach with reluctance, because working overhead demands physical endurance, specialist equipment, and a different set of skills from wall painting. Drips, roller marks, uneven coverage, and paint splattering onto floors and furnishings are common problems when ceiling work is rushed or poorly planned. Our ceiling painting team treats every overhead surface with the same care and precision we apply to walls and woodwork. For straightforward ceilings, we use a combination of airless spray application and back-rolling to achieve a perfectly even, mark-free finish in a fraction of the time that traditional brush-and-roller methods require. For ornate period ceilings with cornicing, ceiling roses, and decorative plasterwork, we switch to hand-painting techniques that respect every moulding and detail. Where ceilings show signs of water damage, cracking, or staining, we address these issues at source before applying any decorative finish.
What We Deliver
- Spray and roller application for smooth, even coverage on flat ceilings
- Hand-painting of ornate cornicing, ceiling roses, and plasterwork details
- Stain blocking and treatment of water damage marks
- Crack repair and filling on lath-and-plaster and plasterboard ceilings
- Colour matching for ceilings that complement wall schemes
- High-ceiling access using scaffold towers and mobile platforms
- Artex removal or plastering over for a smooth modern finish
Our Approach
Ceiling work requires methodical room preparation. We cover floors wall-to-wall with heavy cotton dustsheets and protect furniture with plastic sheeting, because even the most careful ceiling painter cannot entirely prevent the fine mist that spray application generates. For spray work, we mask walls, light fittings, and fixtures with precision tape and masking film. The spray application itself is carried out in overlapping passes at consistent speed and distance, producing a finish of uniform thickness without lap marks or dry edges. Ornate ceilings demand a completely different approach. Our painters work from scaffold platforms positioned close to the ceiling surface, using small brushes and steady hands to pick out moulding details. In many period properties, we find that previous decorators have filled cornicing profiles with thick paint, obscuring the crispness of the original design. Where appropriate, we carefully strip this build-up back to reveal the detail beneath. Ceiling roses and centre pieces may be picked out in a contrasting tone or gilded to create a focal point above a chandelier.
Materials & Brands
We use Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt and Crown Trade Clean Extreme for standard white ceilings, chosen for their excellent opacity and smooth application properties. For period properties, Little Greene Intelligent Matt Emulsion provides a superior finish with good breathability. Stain-blocking primers from Zinsser, including BIN shellac and Bulls Eye 1-2-3, are used to seal water marks and nicotine stains before topcoating. For gilded ceiling details, we use genuine gold leaf or Liberon gilt cream depending on the level of authenticity required.
Property Considerations
High ceilings in Georgian and Victorian townhouses can exceed four metres, requiring scaffold towers for safe access. We assess ceiling height and room dimensions during our initial survey to plan appropriate access equipment. Lath-and-plaster ceilings in older properties may have areas of detachment that need professional re-fixing before painting. Artex ceilings in properties from the 1960s to 1980s may contain asbestos and must be tested before any work is undertaken; we can arrange testing and, if necessary, licensed removal. In apartments and flats, we consider noise and vibration impact on neighbours when planning preparation work.
Why Choose Our Ceilings Service
Spray Application
Airless spray technology delivers a perfectly smooth, mark-free finish on flat ceilings significantly faster than traditional roller methods.
Detail Restoration
Ornate cornicing and ceiling roses are carefully painted by hand to reveal architectural details that layers of old paint have obscured.
Stain Treatment
Water marks, nicotine stains, and discolouration are permanently sealed with specialist primers before topcoating for a pristine result.
Safe Access
Scaffold towers and mobile platforms provide safe, stable working positions for high ceilings without risk of damage to your property.
Our Ceilings Process
Assessment
We inspect the ceiling for damage, stains, and structural issues, and determine the best application method for the surface type.
Room Protection
Floors, walls, and furniture are thoroughly covered and masked to prevent any paint reaching surfaces below the ceiling.
Preparation & Repair
Cracks are filled, stains are sealed with blocking primer, and the surface is sanded to create an even base for the topcoat.
Application & Finishing
Paint is applied by spray or hand depending on the ceiling type, with detail work completed using brushes on cornicing and ornament.
Brands We Use for Ceilings
Available Across London
We offer ceiling painting & restoration across all 20 of our service areas in prime London.
View All AreasRelated Services
Interior Painting
Flawless interiors that elevate every room in your home
Learn moreHeritage & Period Painting
Sympathetic decoration that honours your property's history
Learn moreDecorative Finishes
Bespoke paint effects and artisan finishes for distinctive interiors
Learn moreSpray Painting
Factory-smooth finishes applied on site with precision spray technology
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
Ceilings yellow over time from cooking fumes, cigarette smoke, dust accumulation and UV light. In older properties, nicotine and tar staining can be particularly stubborn. A fresh coat instantly brightens a room and makes it feel larger.
We fill any cracks or plaster imperfections, sand the surface and apply a stain-blocking primer if there are watermarks or nicotine stains. Cornicing and light fittings are carefully masked, and furniture below is fully covered.
We use dedicated ceiling paints formulated for minimal spatter and high coverage. Products like Dulux Trade Ceiling Paint or Little Greene Intelligent Ceiling Emulsion provide a uniform dead-flat finish that diffuses light beautifully.
Yes. We apply thin coats by brush to intricate cornicing, ceiling roses and decorative plasterwork, carefully working the paint into every detail without filling the profiles. Spray application is used only on flat areas adjacent to ornamental features.
A single room ceiling takes half a day to a full day depending on its size and the amount of preparation required. A full house ceiling repaint across four to five rooms typically takes two to three days.
Ceilings are always painted first. This means any roller spatter on the walls is covered by the subsequent wall coats. Cutting in the ceiling line is then done precisely when the walls are painted, giving the crispest possible edge.
Ready for Expert Ceilings?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from our specialist team. We respond within 24 hours.