Wallpapering the ceiling does not have to be a difficult task. When redecorating your room, wallpaper can add a fresh, luxurious look to an otherwise plain and neglected ceiling. There are many styles and types of wallpaper to fit any style or budget.
Getting Started:
First, turn off the electricity to the room. Remove any light fixtures attaches to the ceiling and use painters tape or masking take, cover the hole left behind by the light fixture. Next, be sure to sand any uneven areas on the ceiling and remove any flaking paint. The easiest method to remove the paint is to use a razor blade and scrape the paint off. Using sandpaper is just as effective, but it does take longer. After evening the surface, gently wash any dust or cobwebs from the ceiling. Allow to dry thoroughly. Once dry, apply an acrylic primer or a product such as Killz to the ceiling and allow to dry for at least 24 hours.
Before wallpapering, measure the area of the ceiling to ensure you have the correct amount of wallpaper. The best way is to start in a corner of the ceiling and measure the length and width. Write down the measurements and check to see if the wallpaper is long and wide enough for the job. Be sure to have two extra inches of wallpaper on each side so that it can overlap onto the wall. Next, measure and cut the wallpaper.
There are two types of wallpaper: pre-pasted paper and paper that needs paste applied to it. For pre-pasted wallpaper, soak the paper in a large sink or tub according to the manufacturers instructions. For wallpaper that requires a paste, mix the paste according to the instructions; then, lay the paper plat on an even surface and apply the paste slowly and carefully.
Papering the Ceiling:
Starting in one corner of the room, use a ladder or step stool to place the paper onto the corner of the room and approximately one to two inches on the wall. It is best to have someone to help you during the project. He or she should hand you the paper and help to stabilize the ladder or step stool to prevent falls and accidents. Firmly press the paper onto the ceiling. If there is the same wallpaper on the wall, try to match the paper on the ceiling to the paper on the wall where the two meet. If using a patterned wallpaper, try to match the patterns on the ceiling.
You want the next piece of wallpaper, patterned or not, to meet and not overlap the previous piece of wallpaper. Using a wallpaper smoothing brush, gently brush the paper to remove any air bubbles. Cut off any excess paper with a razor blade. Using a dry, clean paint roller, press the seams of the wallpaper flat. Be sure to cut a hole where the light fixtures are to go; leave approximately one inch of extra paper around the hole and smooth the extra paper inside the hole. This will continue the pattern of the papered wall without looking messy or as if the light fixture were an afterthought. Lastly, reinstall the light fixture and switch back on the electricity to the room. Enjoy your beautifully updated and chic new ceiling.
