How to Put Wallpaper on Ceiling

Wallpaper that is typically applied to the walls of a room can also be applied to the ceiling to provide texture and act as a decorative element for the room. Applying wallpaper on a ceiling is the same as applying it on a wall, you will just be working a lot more over your head. You can put wallpaper on a ceiling by first measuring the area and multiplying the width by the length to find the total square footage.

Step 1

Purchase enough wallpaper to cover the total square footage of the ceiling.

Step 2

Lightly sand the ceiling to make it smooth and to remove any residue with a hand-held or orbital sander.

Step 3

Wash down the ceiling with a damp cloth and then let it dry for about an hour.

Step 4

Make a straight line on the ceiling with a chalk line to use as a guide when applying the first row of wallpaper. Measure 20 inches inwards from one of the outside walls and make a mark at each end of the ceiling with a pencil. Run a chalk line the length of the room and snap a line over each of the marks on the ceiling.

Step 5

Roll out the wallpaper on the floor and apply wallpaper paste with a brush.

Step 6

Align the wallpaper so that the edge is along the chalk line on the ceiling. This will ensure that the first row is straight. Smooth it out along the ceiling with your hands or use a roller. There will be about ½ an inch of overlap along the wall that you will need to trim later.

Step 7

Repeat Step 5 and apply the wallpaper to the rest of the ceiling. Smooth out each sheet as you apply it to the ceiling.

Step 8

Trim off any excess wallpaper on the edges of the walls with a utility knife.

Step 9

Wipe down the wallpaper on the ceiling with a damp sponge to remove any excess wallpaper paste or adhesive.

Step 10

Let the wallpaper dry for at least 24 hours.