How to Install a Ceiling Medallion (By Yourself!)
Ceiling medallions are one of those little details that make a huge difference. They instantly add character and charm, and they’re surprisingly easy to install, even if you're doing it solo like I was. Here’s exactly how I installed mine, step by step:
What You’ll Need:
Pencil
Baby wipes (trust me)
paint of your choice
Your light fixture of choice (I’m using this chandelier!)
Step 1: Mark Your Studs
Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists and mark them lightly with a pencil. Mark this line beyond the circumference of your medallion so you can see the line once it's up on the ceiling. These are where you’ll want to secure your medallion for the most hold.
Step 2: Find Your Center
If you want to get fancy, a laser level will help you find the exact center of your ceiling. But honestly? When I’ve done this with help, I just had my husband stand on the floor while we eyeballed it. This time, I was alone, so I used a laser level to double-check myself.
Step 3: Add Your Adhesive
Flip your ceiling medallion over and add Liquid Nails or another heavy-duty construction adhesive to the back. Don’t be shy, this helps it really grip to the ceiling.
Step 4: Attach It to the Ceiling
Line it up with your center mark and press it onto the ceiling. While the adhesive sets, use a brad nailer with 2” nails to secure it. Start with the nails going directly into your marked studs, then add a few more around the edges to really anchor it in place.
Step 5: Fill the Nail Holes
Once it’s secure, go in with wood filler to cover the brad nail holes. Let the filler dry completely, then give those spots a quick sand to smooth them out.
Step 6: Caulk the Edges
Run a line of caulk around the seam where the medallion meets the ceiling to give it that polished, built-in look. Baby wipes are a total hack here. They make smoothing the caulk and cleaning up extra mess so easy.
That’s It!
Once everything’s dry, you can go ahead and paint it. Not a requirement, but I highly recommend a paint sprayer if you have one since ceiling medallions usually have a lot of pretty detailing. After that, you're ready to install your light fixture. I’ll be using this chandelier in my bathroom makeover and I can’t wait to see it all come together!
Links At A Glance
Ladder