Move furniture out of the room or cover it with plastic sheeting
Lay drop cloths on the floor
Remove or cover light fixtures, vents, and ceiling fans
Clean the ceiling to remove dust and cobwebs
Repair cracks, holes, and stains
Sand patched areas smooth
Apply painter’s tape along trim and wall edges if needed
Use a stain-blocking primer on repaired or stained areas
Choose a flat ceiling paint
Stir the paint thoroughly
Cut in around the edges with a brush
Load a roller with an extension pole
Paint in small sections using overlapping strokes
Keep a wet edge to avoid lap marks
Apply a second coat if needed after the first dries
Remove tape before the paint fully hardens
Reinstall fixtures and clean up tools