How to Change the Color of a Dropped Ceiling

Cover the floor with plastic drop cloths. If your ceiling tiles are 2 feet-by-2 feet or 2 feet-by-4 feet, you will paint them on the floor. If they are larger, you can paint them in the ceiling, so you will need to tape plastic drop cloths to the walls as well.

Pour interior latex paint in your choice of color into a paint tray. Push a 1/4-inch nap roller cover onto a roller with a long handle if you are painting the tiles in the ceiling. A regular handle is fine for the smaller tiles that you paint on the floor.

Lay the 2-by-2 or 2-by-4 tiles on the plastic sheeting. Leave the larger tiles in the ceiling. Apply the first thin layer of paint using even and overlapping strokes. Let the first coat dry for 24 hours.

Apply the second coat of paint in the same way. Let it dry for 24 hours. If you are painting the smaller tiles, turn them over and apply one coat of paint to the backs to prevent them from warping. Let this coat dry 24 hours, and then return the tiles to the ceiling.