The Decorating Mistake That May Result In Ruining Your Ceiling's Paint (And What To Do Instead)

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With so much of a room's decor focus going toward the floors and walls, it's fun to experiment with elements that work vertically to occupy the top of a room. In the right circumstances, the ceiling can be used as a canvas to display decorations and art. There are numerous stunning DIY ceiling designs to elevate any room, but it's essential to make sure you're utilizing the right tools — ones that will not cause damage to the ceiling or its paint when applied. Many resort to glue dots when attaching lightweight objects to the ceiling's surface. Glue dots are small, circular adhesives that provide a bond on both sides, similar to double-sided tape. Unlike mounting tape, they are meant to provide a quick, easy, and inconspicuous way to hold lightweight items in place.

Unfortunately, glue dots could also become a frustrating decorating mistake, as they may leave some lasting effects on your ceiling's appearance. The adhesive is so strong it can easily pull off paint with it as the dots are being removed. After use, you might need to fix chipped and peeling ceiling paint to keep the look uniform throughout. Who knew such a tiny accessory could cause such a headache? 

Pulling glue dots off without marring the ceiling paint can be time-consuming and often requires the same tricks you might use to remove wall decals with little to no wall damage, like applying low heat to soften the glue and unstick them. Several alternatives are more straightforward to remove. Command Strips, mounting putty, or even a rolled piece of tape provide similar sticky holding power for light materials. For quaint and delicate decorations like streamers and macrame, another low-cost and discreet solution is a pack of Command Clear Toggle Hooks. They are lightweight but can hold items up to 2 pounds in place when suspended from the ceiling. Much like the brand's other hanging solutions, these hooks are attached via an adhesive strip.

Strips can be easily taken off due to their gentle stretch-release removal, making it less likely for paint to be pulled from the ceiling with them. If you're looking to use the trending glue dot hack to display balloons, it's better to use a gentler adhesive or blow them up with helium to keep them afloat without damaging your ceiling. And when glue dots are your only available option, make sure to add a small strip of painter's tape to the surface before the glue dot. Painter's tape adheres to the ceiling but will not create a sticky problem that compromises its looks.