Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.2

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u270fufe0f Originally published: 2021-09-02 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 2026

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! Continuing the 1st-floor 4.5-mat room ceiling renovation. Last time I completed the sealer (primer) coat u2014 now it’s time to apply the first finish coat of white paint.

I used Ecoflat 60 for the finish paint. For tools and materials, see the dedicated post: “DIY Dad’s Tools and Materials Vol.5 u2014 Painting (Hand Roller)”

2026 DIY Dad Notes: 1F Ceiling and Staircase Renovation

2026 DIY Dad Notes: 1F Ceiling and Staircase Renovation

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Following the 2nd floor, the 1st-floor ceiling renovation is complete u2014 and the staircase got the same treatment. Staircases are one of the first things prospective tenants see, so the finish directly shapes their first impression.

1F Ceiling: 4.5-Mat Room

The 1st-floor 4.5-mat Japanese room (u548cu5ba4 washitsu) had the same old saodare ceiling (u7affu7e01u5929u4e95 u2014 a traditional Japanese ceiling of thin boards supported by narrow battens) as the 2nd floor. Same process:

Masking (walls, floor, tategu)
Sealer coat (stain-blocking and surface-evening primer)
First coat of white water-based paint (roller)
Let dry, then second coat

Having done the 2nd floor first, the 1st-floor work went much more smoothly. The second time around, setup and execution both speed up noticeably.

Staircase Renovation: Ceiling and Wall Painting

The apartment staircase is the “face” of the shared interior. Everyone walks through it, so it had to be done right. The challenges specific to staircases:

Unstable footing: Ladder must be combined with the stair treads to create a stable platform
Sloped ceiling: Painting an angled surface rather than a flat one
Complex masking: Masking off the stepped floor surface is fiddly work
Ventilation: The semi-enclosed space traps paint fumes u2014 keep airflow going

DIY Dad spent half a day on the staircase ceiling and walls. Higher difficulty, but the satisfaction matches it.

Staircase Safety

Set the ladder on a stable tread u2014 no rocking
Adjust ladder height to exactly what you need
Avoid working alone at height if possible
Stay aware of the open space behind you
Grip-soled shoes only

“No rushing, no hurrying” u2014 the iron rule for any overhead work.

Picking up from the sealer coat u2014 applying the first finish coat. You can see the streakiness at this stage, but that’s completely normal for a single coat.