Update Old Popcorn Ceilings Without Removing Them With One Simple DIY Solution

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Popcorn ceilings can give a room an outdated and unattractive appearance, making even a well-decorated space feel old-fashioned. Their rough, bumpy texture can cast unflattering shadows and collect dust, diminishing a room's overall appeal. As a result, many homeowners find themselves searching for creative and practical ways to cover or remove popcorn ceilings to modernize their space. One easy way to cover dated popcorn ceilings without the hassle of scraping is by painting them. If you are skeptical that a simple coat of paint can make your popcorn ceilings look better, you should know about the reasons this hack works. Over the course of your ceiling's life, cobwebs, dust, and other debris get stuck in the texture. This makes them appear dingy and also accentuates the shadows cast by the bumpy surface. A fresh coat of paint covers the imperfections, making the ceiling look clean and new.

If you choose to go this route to update your ceilings, there are some things to keep in mind before starting the project to make sure things go smoothly. If not done correctly, painting a popcorn ceiling can cause pieces of the original texture to peel off. If your ceiling was installed prior to the late 1990s, this peeling may actually be dangerous. There are ways to prepare the ceiling to prevent peeling, though, as well as ways to check the safety of the ceiling. 

Painting your popcorn ceilings can be a way to give them a fresh, clean look. It's essential to choose the right type of paint for this project, though. Latex paint with a matte or flat finish will absorb light instead of reflecting it. This will help ensure that your ceiling doesn't draw the eye upward and attract attention to any future imperfections. While applying a coat of white paint to cover the existing white ceiling will help your home look nicer, there's no need to limit yourself to plain white. Soft shades of grey and taupe work hand-in-hand with a fresh coat of paint to disguise a popcorn ceiling. If you want to visually remove your popcorn ceilings altogether, painting them black may be a good choice.

As previously mentioned, there is prep work other than covering furniture and flooring that needs to be done before slathering paint on your roller. If you live in an older home, it may be wise to get the ceiling tested for asbestos before starting this project. This can be done on your own with a product like the SLGI Certified Test Kits Asbestos Test Kit or by a professional. When it's time to paint, put on protective gear like a dust mask and an eye shield, and you're ready to go. You will need to apply primer to the ceiling first and then, using a roller with a thick nap, roll the paint on using single-direction strokes.