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How to Paint Tall Walls

Come see how to paint tall walls and ceilings the easy way!

I have been avoiding the stairway remodel for way too long. Why avoid such a small room? Because I was afraid to paint those tall walls and ceiling! It’s silly I know, but those 20′ walls just intimidated me.

But no more will I shrink from a big painting job. Today I am showing you how easy it was and sharing How to Paint Tall Walls with the HomeRight EZ Twist PaintStick.

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picture of hallway and high ceilings with stair rail

I know painting tall walls can be a huge pain. We have a vaulted ceiling in our living room that peaks at 14′ on one side. I’ve already painted this room twice (before the PaintStick). I would lean the ladder against the wall.

Then load my paint roller and climb the ladder. A couple rolls later, I was back down the ladder, then up, then down. It was a good workout but I hated it.

So when I thought about building scaffolding in the stairway to paint those tall walls and ceiling, all I could think about was going up and down reloading that dang roller! I wasn’t thrilled to be on scaffolding in the first place.

I don’t really have a fear of heights, but it’s not the safest feeling walking out on wood boards while leaning this way and that to paint.

staircase showing high ceilings with beige walls and white trim.

But I found a way to step out on that scaffolding and finally paint the stairway! This way also helped me avoid the up and down to reload the roller. It is the HomeRight EZ Twist PaintStick. I seriously love this thing.

Painting has always been one of those things I do because I have to, but I usually despised it. After being able to paint my entire stairway, ceiling and all, by myself, in just over an hour, I figured I could paint anything. And I have!

EZ-Twist paint roller being used on high ceiling

Since the stairway painting, I have also painted our basement family room and upstairs living room. The living room is that room with those tall vaulted ceilings. My husband and I were able to paint this large room together in just under 2 hours with the EZ Twist PaintStick.

I did the cutting in and he did the rolling. After we were half way through the first coat he exclaimed “I love this thing. Seriously this is so awesome!” Usually he paints with me grudgingly, but the second coat he was eager to get to work on because it was so easy.

Even if you do not have tall walls in your home, the EZ Twist PaintStick is awesome. It is so much less messy than traditional painting with a roller and tray. In the basement our walls are only 7 1/2′ tall, but the PaintStick made is super quick and I only had one plastic tablecloth that I moved around the room as I painted, mostly because I dripped a bit while cutting in the ceiling.

image of staircase showing high ceilings and tall walls

And HomeRight is going to be giving away an EZ Twist PaintStick to one of you! If you have one (or many) painting projects coming soon, you will love this thing. I am already planning another painting day.

Enter to win below. The giveaway is open to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How To Paint Tall Walls

Supplies

To build our scaffolding, we used one ladder against the far wall and one little giant ladder on the steps. Then we placed 2 12′ 2×6 boards between the ladders.

image with scaffolding set up in hall way against tall walls for painting

I painted the ceiling and upper walls the same color because I didn’t have the ladders tall enough to get me close the ceiling to cut in. To add some color to the walls, I added chair rail to the stairway and then painted the chair rail and lower part of the walls a different color.

freshly painted walls in gray paint with white trim

Even though the upper walls and ceiling were going to be the same color, I still needed to be able to get a paintbrush in the corner where rollers cannot. I taped my paint brush to the end of the paint roller extension pole with painters tape. Then I was able to easily reach the paint into the corners.

Long handle with paint brush at the end showing hallway being painted

After painting the corners, I filled up my PaintStick with paint. If you are having trouble loading it with paint, make sure you are holding it at a 45 degree angle to the fill tube. That solved my issue every time!

paint stick being used in paint can

Then start rolling while twisting the handle to push the paint up. Always roll while pushing the paint in so it doesn’t drip. Once the PaintStick is primed full of paint you will only need to push the paint up occasionally as you paint the wall. So keep rolling and painting until the PaintStick is empty. I was surprised at how much I could paint before having to reload it.

scaffolding being used in hallway with painting on tall wall

After I painted the ceiling and the upper most walls, it was time to remove the scaffolding. I pulled the 2×6 boards out and removed the little giant ladder. The rest of the stairway I was able to paint with the PaintStick and the ladder. For the second coat, we draped an old towel over the ladder where it touched the walls so it wouldn’t scratch the paint.

ez twist paint roller used on tall ceilings in hallway with scaffolding

I continued to cut in the corners and roll the walls until the entire stairway was a bright new color.

painting down staircase with ez twist paint roller

After the upper walls were covered in two coats of paint, I added chair rail and was able to quickly paint the lower part of the stairway thanks to the PaintStick. Now we have a stylish stairway instead of an eyesore. It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do!

image of painted staircase with green door and hardwood floors

It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to a room. But if you have high ceilings it can be a huge task to paint. Learn how to paint tall walls the easy way. Housefulofhandmade.com | HomeRight EZ Twist PaintStick | How to Paint High Walls | How to Paint a Stairway | Stairway Refresh | Painting Tips

How to Paint Tall Walls

Today I am showing you how easy it was and sharing How to Paint Tall Walls with the HomeRight EZ Twist PaintStick.

Materials

  • Paint
  • Blue painters tape

Tools

  • HomeRight EZ Twist PaintStick
  • Paint brush
  • Paint Roller Extension Pole
  • Ladders
  • Blue painters tape

Instructions

    1. To build the scaffolding, we used one ladder against the far wall and one little giant ladder on the steps. Then we placed 2 12′ 2×6 boards between the ladders.
    2. I painted the ceiling and upper walls the same color because I didn’t have the ladders tall enough to get me close to the ceiling to cut in. To add some color to the walls, I added a chair rail to the stairway and then painted the chair rail and lower part of the walls a different color.
    3. I taped my paint brush to the end of the paint roller extension pole with painters tape. Then I was able to easily reach the paint into the corners.
    4. After painting the corners, I filled up my PaintStick with paint. If you are having trouble loading it with paint, make sure you are holding it at a 45 degree angle to the fill tube. 
    5. Then start rolling while twisting the handle to push the paint up. Always roll while pushing the paint in so it doesn’t drip.
    6. Keep rolling and painting until the PaintStick is empty.
    7. After I painted the ceiling and the upper most walls, it was time to remove the scaffolding. I pulled the 2×6 boards out and removed the little giant ladder. 
    8. The rest of the stairway I was able to paint with the PaintStick and the ladder. For the second coat, we draped an old towel over the ladder where it touched the walls so it wouldn’t scratch the paint.
    9. I continued to cut in the corners and roll the walls until the entire stairway was a bright new color.
    10. After the upper walls were covered in two coats of paint, I added chair rail and was able to quickly paint the lower part of the stairway thanks to the PaintStick.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Now all I need to do is decorate our new stairway! I have a feeling there will be lots of pictures to hang in my future!

-Kati with picture of blog author Kati

 

 

 

ALEXANDRA

Thursday 22nd of June 2017

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Kati

Monday 31st of July 2017

You're welcome :)

Katherine

Tuesday 30th of May 2017

I would paint my kitchen

Kati

Friday 2nd of June 2017

That is the last room I still have to do!

Donna Gonzalez

Tuesday 30th of May 2017

What a difference!

Kati

Friday 2nd of June 2017

Thanks Donna!

latanya

Sunday 28th of May 2017

my living room

Kati

Friday 2nd of June 2017

You'll love the PaintStick for bing rooms!

Linda

Saturday 27th of May 2017

Tall walls are a challenge, love the after, so bright and beautiful. Love the chair rail, nice touch =)

Kati

Friday 2nd of June 2017

Thanks so much Linda! I can't believe how much better a fresh coat of paint makes it look. And the chair rail turned out so nice.

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