Stencil Your Ceiling for a Luxurious Look

The next time you walk into a room, look up. You will probably see a sea of white. But you could go big, bold and graphic with a stenciled ceiling. I have often used white ceilings in my own designs to reflect light into a space or temper the color used for the walls. But for the adventurous homeowner, stenciling a ceiling can elevate a design more than any wall treatment.

Ceilings are one of the most important surfaces in a room. Furniture placement, wall color, window treatments, lighting and floor coverings all are impacted by what you do to the space above. In this photo the slight metallic sheen to this stencil gives the room a beautiful glow. The pale paisley stencil against flat gray on the ceiling is a beautiful focal point for a calm bedroom retreat.

Consider other kinds of treatments. Plaster finishes often require the surface to be reskimmed. Ceiling moldings and trims, while beautiful, require a considerable investment in skilled labor to create the proper effect and would require a similar investment to change down the road. Wallpaper installation on a ceiling is best left to professional, and most papers need smooth surfaces for installation — both additional expenses.

A painted stencil, on the other had, is easy to remove with primer. In my book a painted stencil on a ceiling, is an economical way to transform a space with a beautiful decorative element. You can hire a pro to stencil your ceiling for you, but it’s also a DIY project for a handy homeowner with a good eye and a steady hand.

How to Stencil a Ceiling

Select the appropriate design. When selecting a stencil to use, consider the “repeat” of the pattern. Depending on the height of your ceiling, a small pattern or repeat stencil may appear busy or even disappear when viewed from afar.

A design with a 6-inch pattern or larger is ideal for a ceiling. Second, look for an all-over pattern, which means that the stencil was made to cover an entire surface and is not meant for borders.

Choose the right-size stencil. If you buy your stencil, look for a design with a “production” size. It will be larger than a standard stencil, so you won’t need to move it as often. And the less often you move a stencil, the less likely you will be to smear your hard work.

Use spray adhesive. Since you will be working above your head, using a light spray adhesive will be a saving grace in terms of time (and your neck). Look for a spray specifically for stenciling or one with low tack and low residue. Using the spray will allow the stencil to grip the ceiling securely, which is important if you have an intricately cut pattern. It will reduce paint seepage and spare you hours of touch-ups.

Start in the center. Measure to find the center of your ceiling; apply the stencil there and work outward. This will ensure that the pattern will be uniform and symmetrical across the ceiling.

Use a light hand. For painting a ceiling, skip the pouncing technique and use a dry-painting method with a foam roller. Lightly apply the paint to the roller and immediately roll off most of the paint onto paper towels until the roller is almost dry. Then use the roller over the stencil in vertical strokes. This method minimizes drips, smears and seepage under the stencil — all the banes of stenciling.

Don’t sweat the mistakes. Imperfections — an errant stroke, a slightly less-than-pristine edge or a slight lapse in the pattern alignment — are part of the charm of a stenciled ceiling. Besides, it’s on the ceiling, and unless your friends carry ladders with them, most won’t notice!


A ceiling stencil doesn’t have to cover the entire surface to have an impact. This stencil highlights the beautiful architecture of the ceiling and creates a dynamic focal point for the light fixture.


In lieu of a ceiling medallion, this oversize stenciled medallion breaks up the ceiling plane and emphasizes the light fixture.


This classic trellis stencil gives this room a sense of freshness. Adding a stencil to the ceiling is an ingenious way of bringing pattern into a room where most of the walls are windows.


The stencil highlights and brings attention to the beautiful moldings in this room. Given the room’s height, the stencil was a smart inclusion that gives the room a nice sense of scale.


The light hand used to create this pattern brings attention to the room’s beautiful curves, and the design repeats a pattern found throughout the room.


Another stencil brings a soft metallic shimmer to the ceiling, linking the walls and the ceiling.


An ornate red stencil brings an ethnic vibe and warmth to this special room, highlighting the ceiling’s unique architecture.

Your turn: Have you used stencils in creative new ways? Please show us your project in the Comments section below!

More: Get more ideas for working with stencils

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