Before wallpapering the ceiling, make sure it is clean. Apply a special primer made specifically to work with wallpaper. It is designed to reduce the amount of glue damage in case the wallpaper is removed. Use a standard paint roller to apply the primer.
Determine your vertical starting line for the first strip of wallpaper. This is done by measuring the width of the wallpaper and then using that measurement to determine the starting point location (usually from a corner). You can use a level, yardstick, or plumb line tool to make the starting line vertical.
Measure the distance from one side of the roof to the other. Use that measurement to determine the length of wallpaper you'll need. Add an extra four inches to this measurement so you can match the repeating pattern of the wallpaper.
Pour the wallpaper glue into a paint tray or paint bucket. Use a 3-inch brush to apply the glue to the back of the wallpaper. Lean down and look at the wallpaper from different angles to see if you've missed anywhere.
Once the glue is evenly applied to the back of the wallpaper, begin to "book" the wallpaper by folding the glued side in half on itself. Once folded, let the wallpaper sit for about 5 minutes to allow the glue to set.
Using a ladder or better yet, scaffolding (these can be rented from a home improvement store or rental store), start applying the wallpaper along the vertical starting line. This is a two person job. One person will lay the wallpaper along the vertical start line, while the other will hold the wallpaper waiting to be hung, either by hand if on scaffolding, or by dry mopping the floor. .
As you hang the paper, you may notice some bubbles. Using a damp, slightly soapy sponge, wipe the wallpaper to push out any bubbles and smooth out the wallpaper. The sponge is also good for wiping off excess wallpaper glue. Continue fluffing the wallpaper as you hang it.
After hanging the first strip and cutting off the excess wallpaper at the end, continue the process. Make sure to line up the seams correctly so the pattern is continuous.
