Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Ceiling Repair Vol.3

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u270fufe0f Originally published: 2021-09-03 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 2026

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! Continuing the 1st-floor 4.5-mat room ceiling renovation. Last time I applied the first coat u2014 now it’s time for the second and final coat.

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 was renovated as well. Staircases are one of the first things prospective tenants see, so the finish directly affects their first impression.

1F Ceiling Renovation: 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 made from thin boards supported by narrow horizontal battens) as the 2nd floor. The same process was used:

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

Having done the 2nd floor first, the 1st-floor ceiling went much more smoothly. The second time you do any task, the setup time alone drops dramatically.

Staircase Renovation: Ceiling and Wall Painting

The apartment staircase is the “face” of the shared interior space u2014 every prospective tenant walks through it. The challenges specific to staircases:

Unstable footing: You need to combine a ladder with stair treads to create a workable platform
Sloped ceiling: Unlike flat ceilings, you’re painting an angled surface
Complex masking: The step-by-step floor surface (treads) is tedious to mask
Ventilation: The semi-enclosed space traps paint fumes u2014 keep airflow going

DIY Dad spent half a day on the staircase ceiling and walls. Difficulty level is higher, but the payoff when it’s done is proportionally greater.

Staircase Safety

Working on a staircase carries a real fall risk. Key safety rules:

Set the ladder on a stable tread u2014 no wobbling
Adjust ladder height to exactly what you need u2014 don’t overextend
Avoid working alone at height (have someone steady the ladder from below)
Stay aware of the open space behind you
Wear shoes with good grip

“No rushing, no hurrying” u2014 that’s the iron rule for any work at height.

Starting the 1F Japanese Room Wall Renovation

With the ceiling and staircase done, the 1st-floor Japanese room wall renovation begins. Having the 2nd-floor experience makes the planning and workflow noticeably smoother.

The 1st-floor walls are the same old sand-plaster and fiber-plaster combination as the 2nd floor. The process is the same: seal and patch to build the substrate, then finish with wallpaper. A transformed room means a better Apt. 1 overall u2014 and higher occupancy.

Landlord Perspective: Running Multiple Rooms in Parallel

Use drying time productively: While compound dries in Room A, mask Room B u2014 zero wasted time
Buy materials in bulk: Purchasing all rooms’ materials at once reduces the per-unit cost
Share setup time: One drop-cloth layout covers multiple rooms’ needs
Skills compound: Techniques tested in the first room are refined in subsequent rooms

Running multiple rooms in parallel rather than finishing one at a time compresses the total project timeline significantly.

Picking up from the first coat u2014 applying the second coat of finish paint (Ecoflat 60):

Second coat

Looking pretty good! You’ll also notice the woodwork painting got done and the masking tape is already up in some shots u2014 I won’t pretend that’s a neat timeline. (laughs) That’s all for today. See you next time!