How to paint a ceiling like a pro – and 5 vital mistakes to avoid

A neutral living room with white walls and ceiling, a large black fireplace, beige sofas with soft pink cushions and a central stone coffee table. Behind are bright, large windows, and two lamps with brown shades.

Learning how to paint a ceiling yourself will mean you don't always have to call in the professionals for a flawless finish. With boldly painted ceilings continuing to dominate trends, being able to upgrade your 'fifth wall' yourself will give you freedom to re-style yours as often as you wish.

Here, our painting experts reveal the six steps you need to know for a great job well done, and the five common ceiling painting mistakes you'll need to avoid.