How to Install a Ceiling Medallion

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comI’ve had lots of requests for this post, and figured a DIY tutorial was in order. It’s no secret I’m a big fan of ceiling medallions, as you’ve probably noticed them throughout our home renovations in the past. They’re very simple to install and really elevate the look of any light fixture. It’s a simple piece of millwork that feels like the finishing touch on the ceiling- especially if you have a beautiful fixture you’d like to emphasize. Obviously we’ve had millwork on the brain as we’re mid renovation in one of our guest bedrooms. Last week I shared our tutorial for installing panel moulding, and this week we’re shifting gears to focus on the ceiling. Click through for our complete tutorial on how to install a ceiling medallion, my thoughts on medallions with textured ceilings, why medallions vastly vary in price, how to determine what size medallion you’ll need, examples of how I’ve used ceiling medallions in the past, and to see which light fixture I landed on for our guest room renovation- spoiler alert… it’s beautiful!

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comI’ll begin by saying, pre-painting your medallion is the easiest thing to do, but you’ll still end up doing some touch-up painting at the end of the installation. I used “Ceiling Bright White” by Sherwin-Williams for my medallion this time around.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comSUPPLIES + TOOLS

Step 1 // Remove the existing fixture. Whether you’re planning to keep your existing fixture or replace it, you’ll need to completely remove it before installing your ceiling medallion.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comStep 2 // Caulk the backside of the medallion. This is an important trick we’ve learned over the years. Caulk works much better than a construction adhesive because it gives us wiggle room and time to perfectly center our medallion while securing it to the ceiling.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comRun a bead of caulk all the way around the perimeter of the medallion and position it on the ceiling. The caulk will hold it in place until you’re ready to permanently secure the ceiling medallion.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comStep 3 // Wire the light fixture. Next, it’s time to wire your preferred light fixture. You can do this by following the instructions on your specific fixture. It’s pretty self explanatory.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comOnce you have it wired up, stuff the wiring up into the housing, out of the way- like shown below…

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comThis is where your longer screws will come in handy. The hardware that comes with your fixture are most likely too short to go through the medallion. Secure the hardware loosely, but do not fully tighten it at this point…

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comStep 4 // Center the medallion. Since you loosely secured the fixture to the ceiling, you should be able to slide your medallion (thanks to the caulk) until it’s centered with the light fixture canopy.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comOnce you have it adjusted and centered, go ahead and fully tighten and install the fixture.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comStep 5 // Install a few finishing nails. This step is more important for larger ceiling medallions (15″-20″ or larger), but we tackle this step for all sizes… just to be safe. Tack a few finishing nails around the perimeter of the medallion, on an angle. This will keep the medallion from sagging as time goes on. The light fixture is actually holding the medallion to the ceiling, not the caulk– so adding these small nails will ensure it stays in place without drooping over time.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comStep 6 // Fill the nail holes, sand, and touch up the paint. Next, you’ll want to fill the nail holes, sand the excess filler, and touch up the paint on the medallion.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comStep 7 // Finish installing the light fixture. The final step is to finish installing the light fixture. In our case, we needed to install the pedant portion of the fixture, a lightbulb, and the glass “bubbles”.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comIsn’t this bubbles chandelier from Annie Selke so beautiful?! This has me really excited to keep pushing to finish this room. You can catch the entire guest bedroom design plan here. This light fixture has been apart of the equation from the very beginning! It’s going to be amazing once it’s totally finished. I’ve got big goals for this space.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comNow that you know how to install a ceiling medallion, I’ll share some examples from our home renovations and I’ll answer some questions you sent over! Ready? Let’s do it!

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.com

What about textured ceilings?

My ceiling texture preference is always smooth. However, I think ceiling medallions can work with a multitude of ceiling textures… so don’t let that deter you. Our current ceilings are textured throughout our home. As we renovate, we’ve been replacing the ceilings or skim coating them. However, I’m fairly certain we won’t smooth every single ceiling in our house. There are some ceiling textures I can live (like our current texture) and others I cannot (like popcorn ceilings). Depending on your ceiling texture, it’s important to weigh the ROI, consider the extent of your renovation plan, and determine if skim coating or replacing the ceiling altogether is worth the expense.

For now, we’re addressing the ceiling as we renovate… and some rooms might not get a perfectly smooth ceiling. Our ceiling texture isn’t terrible. I’ve seen much worse and it doesn’t bother me like a popcorn ceiling would. If I had to predict how we’ll approach this- the bedrooms upstairs will probably keep their textural ceilings, but the main level and basement will most likely get new ceilings because of the extensive renovations we have planned for the future (knocking down walls, taking a space to the studs, etc). We’ve only had to do minor drywall repairs upstairs, so replacing the ceiling doesn’t feel worth it. The main thing to remember is to keep things cohesive and intentional!

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.com

Why do ceiling medallions vary in price so drastically?

Ceiling medallions can range from $10 – $1,000. It’s kind of crazy! The price difference boils down to intricate details (like gold leaf or gilded features), the material, and the size. We typically like to stay in the low to middle price range. Our preference is a single piece medallion because they are easier to install (rather than two pieces split down the center that have to fit together), and we prefer plaster, wood, or primed polyurethane (which looks and feels like hard foam). The medallion in this tutorial was a lower end option, which cost $17 for a 16″ round medallion made of polyurethane.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.com

What size of medallion do I need? How do I determine that?

You have to consider the size of the room rather than the light fixture itself. Measure the length and width of your room in feet. Multiple the length and the width, then divide by 7. This will give you the proportionate medallion size in inches. For instance… a 10‐by‐14 foot room calculation would be: 10 feet x 14 feet = 140 square feet divided by 7 = 20 inches diameter. You can use that dimension as a starting point and determine what looks best with your light fixture, plus or minus a few inches.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.com

Should you always paint your ceiling medallion white?

No- I do like it to match the ceiling though… unless I’m intentionally designing a space with contrast trim or millwork. In our previous bathroom, I painted the ceiling medallion black. It was really more for texture and added millwork interest.

How to Install a Ceiling Medallion - roomfortuesday.comI hope this post was really helpful! If you have any questions, please leave them for me in the comment section below. Have you ever installed a ceiling medallion? Are you a fan of the look? I’ll link a bunch below, if you’d like to give it a try! Everyone have a great week.

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20 Comments

  1. Such good tips! Using caulk instead of adhesive seems genius. I really like the look of a ceiling medallion, but our home presents two problems-we have some highly textured ceilings and most of our fixtures are flushmounts. Maybe in our next home! I am SO excited that you decided to stick with the bubble chandelier! I adore it! This guest room is going to be epic!!
    I’m off to the mountains for huckleberry picking! Then I need to watch 14 videos, so I can install my new entry lockset. (Please send “security” vibes!🔐) Go, Monday!
    PS The French doors on the shed look awesome!

    1. The caulk really is a game changer! We used to use adhesive, but it set so quickly, it was a stressful situation to get it perfectly centered. I love the bubble chandelier! It’s so fun (even though it took FOREVER to assemble and hang all of the glass bubbles). I’m really excited about this guest space. Things are moving right along. Enjoy your huckleberry picking- that sounds incredible and I’m a little jealous! Good luck with your lockset- sending you all the security vibes :) Have a great week!

  2. I have always loved your ceiling medallions and lighting in each room. Taking the room size in effect makes perfect sense on determining the medallion size. Will be storing that useful tidbit away.
    As I was reading your post I was imagining one above our dining room table. Our table measures 80″ long. I have been eyeing a fixture that is rectangle or long rather than circular. Would you put a round medallion with this type of light?
    Hope your weekend was productive and relaxing. I made good progress on my son’s furniture. This Texas heat makes it hard to do anything outside.
    Have a wonderful Monday!

    1. Thank you Danna! Yes- I think most people assume the medallion is determined based on the size of the light fixture, but it’s actually the scale of the room. So happy that was helpful. I think a medallion above your dining table would be beautiful. They’re especially great for dressing up more formal areas (like a dining space). Your long dining table sounds like a dream! You can definitely mix and match shapes… they also make medallions that are oblong, oval, rectangular, geometric, etc. Something like this could be nice for your dining room! It was a hot one here this weekend, too. We were able to get some work done and we spent one day relaxing, which was much needed :) So glad to hear you’re making progress on your son’s furniture. That’s amazing! Happy Monday!

      1. Thank you Sarah for the medallion inspiration!

  3. Do you think medallions look better with certain interior design themes?

    1. I think they look great with any style, but you do have to make sure you find a medallion that fits the aesthetic and architecture (modern for modern homes, traditional for a colonial home, etc)!

  4. Hi, as always a great post – I’m a very big fan of your work and style.
    We have medallions in our French rental, but without holes in the middle and no light/wiring on the ceiling (with the exception of the kitchen and bathroom) and we can’t damage/ drill into any medallions, moulding (very wide and beautiful) and millwork. Everyday I’m a bit frustrated that I can’t hang any lamp on the ceiling, so I envy you very much 😉
    One electric socket in each room is connected to the switch and I thought if it’s possible to instal special long cord to it, put that on hooks under ceiling and just instal some lamps. Any tips? I don’t want it look sloppy etc.

    1. Thank you so much, Kinga! I wonder if you could install a fixture, cut out the wiring, and use a puck light (battery operated on a remote) instead? Just to give you the look of a fixture? That’s tricky! Or embrace floor lamps, table lamps, and sconces… then let the millwork shine!

  5. Sarah,
    Always love your posts! So helpful, interesting, and informative:) Wondering if you’d recommend a medallion/what you’d suggest for 2 scenarios:
    1) cathedral ceiling where the table light fixture canopy is hung angled flat to ceiling (we have open concept living/dining/kitchen)
    2) tray ceilings- (angled 8ft to 10ft) do you still use the same calculation method for the medallion size?
    Thanks!

    1. Thank you, Jes! I’m so happy to hear that. I’m actually not a fan of installing medallions on angled ceilings… I’ve found it’s best to keep it modern and minimal. For tray ceilings, you’ll want to measure the interior portion to get your medallion size! Hope this helps :)

  6. I don’t know what was more informative: the post or the comments section!! All these amazing questions that I had myself. Personally I adore the look of ceiling medallions, but you are the first designer I’ve seen use them in a home that isn’t a Victorian. Out here, that would be where we would see it the most. I love that you showcase how they can beautify any space, and can’t wait to see what I can come up with for our house. I won’t be able to use them in the main rooms because of the angled cathedral ceilings, but that leaves a few to have fun with! THanks for such an interesting DIY post! Now I need my phone to start working again so I can check out those shed doors!!

    1. Yay!! Love to hear that :) I think it’s mostly about finding the style that works best for your home and architecture. The installation is the easy part! Our plan is to paint the shed this weekend- woohoo!!

  7. We have a place to put a chandelier, but the wires aren’t centered over our coffee table. It has been suggested to float a ceiling above the fixture, but I’m wondering if we could use a medallion instead and run the wires to the middle, if it was big enough….
    The ceiling is concrete and on a middle floor, so we can’t do the obvious thing and move the box!
    Could you advise?

    1. Hi Daniela! I wouldn’t recommend a floating ceiling, because if you cover the existing junction box- that’s a building code violation. I also worry that if you ran wiring under the medallion in that way, it would only act as a temporary fix. If you ever plan to sell, that might get flagged during an inspection, but you could also do that for now, and then replace the fixture if you ever move? My advice (though you’re not going to like it), is to move the box. It can be done! Yes, it will require a dremel or something to cut the concrete, but it’s your best bet at solving the problem correctly. I hope that helps and sorry it isn’t the news you were probably looking for.

  8. What about using a medallion with a ceiling fan? Ceiling fans are a necessity in the south but I love the look of the medallions.

    1. You can definitely use a ceiling medallion with a ceiling fan… really any type of light fixture.

  9. This might be a dumb question, but is the center hole diameter of the ceiling medallion supposed to be the same size as the light fixture being installed? Most of the medallions I’ve seen have a 3-4 inch center hole diameter but our light fixture base is almost 6 inches!

    1. Not a dumb question at all, Alice! Typically the hole will be smaller, so the fixture canopy covers the raw edge. You can also cut medallions to fit, if needed. I hope that helps!

  10. We are updating pendant kitchen lights and I love the medallion options you’ve shown here. Our current lights have ugly 7” medallions in yellowed plastic. They are only held up by the light fixtures; no adhesive or caulk. I’m nervous about using caulk on larger medallions, because I don’t know how it will come off if we change it out again in the future. My husband and I are not so handy as you and Emmett. How do you go about removing the caulked medallion in future renovations? Thanks.