How To: Decoupage Your Ceiling

published Feb 4, 2009

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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Because February is a DIY month here on AT, we have been looking on the internet for some inspiration. Decoupage on the concrete ceiling in our home wouldn’t really work, but it could be a fun project for a smaller wall. More photos and step by step instructions after the jump.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

We found this DIY project on Mr. Peacock’s blog and we thought it was a great idea. It was done using black and white xerox copies of birds, beetles, and flowers. Also this is a perfect DIY project for renters, since decoupage is pretty easy to remove.

Here is a shortened version of the instructions. For more details follow this link.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

1. Pick your pattern
You want to find images that have strong silhouettes. They will work much better when you are ready to cut them out. A great resource for these are Dover books.

2. Find the images you want and bookmark the pages

3. Xerox
Depending on the scale of images that you are working with, you could enlarge them for a dramatic effect. Adjust the contrast, if needed, to get even tonality. As Mr. Peacock pointed out — don’t worry if your copies look too gray or the dot pattern is too noticeable.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

4. Cut out your images
You will need a pair of scissors and an exacto knife. Smaller scissors will come in handy as well.

5. Clean your surface
Clean your ceiling or wall with a mixture of hot water and TSP and let it dry. This is very important as your images won’t adhere to the ceiling if the surface isn’t completely dry.

6. Glue
Your are ready to start gluing. You might want to take a step back and look at the overall pattern that you are creating. Cover most of the back surface of the image and then rub it smooth when pressed to the surface. Don’t rub too hard, as the images could easily tear.

7. Decoupage
Mr. Peacock used more of a “light wash” for his decoupage. He thinned some Elmer’s glue to a watery, but still sticky consistency. When you are ready brush and lightly coat the surface and around the edges of each image. Your decoupage will dry quickly.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

8. You are done!
Mr. Peacock’s ceiling looks great, but don’t limit yourself to just ceilings or walls. This could be easily done on furniture as well. Check out Abby’s post for more ideas.

Photos: Mr. Peacock Blog