Jardin Mural from Milton & King’s showroom in Dallas, Texas
What Are Wallpaper Murals?
Unlike traditional patterned wallpaper, which repeats a design, murals present a single image or a series of matchable images. These images can cover the entire wall or a large portion thereof. Murals can be applied to a single wall or wrapped around the entire room for a truly immersive experience.
Benefits of Wallpaper Murals
There are a few of benefits to wallpaper murals.
Visual Impact
A mural creates an instant focal point in any room. It can make a bold statement, serve as a conversation starter, or provide a soothing backdrop. One thing is for sure, it is not something that will go unnoticed. A wallpaper mural provides a very obvious decor element.
Versatility
Murals can be used in virtually any room, from living rooms and bedrooms to kitchens and bathrooms. You might wonder, can I use a large wall mural in a smaller space like a powder room. The answer is “yes!” While you may not grasp the full view of the mural, the large image can feel very immersive in a small space. Wall murals are also very popular in commercial spaces like restaurants, offices, and retail stores.
Easy Transformation
Installing a mural is an easy way to achieve a dramatic change in your décor without the need for extensive and expensive renovations.
Is My Space Right For A Mural?
Consider the Room’s Purpose
It is important to think about what you want to achieve in your space. A serene forest might not be right for the dining room, but may be perfect ambiance for a bedroom. Likewise, a cityscape might feel out of place in a kitchen but could totally energize a home office.
Wall Space, Scale and Proportion
As mentioned above, you could use a mural in a small bathroom but you may be missing out on the full picture (pun intended). If you want to get the most of your mural, you will want to ensure that the wall is able to display the majority of the mural. Rooms with a lot of windows may not be the best spot for a mural. You also want to make sure your wall is not bigger than the mural otherwise you may need to try and frame it so that it doesn’t look awkward. It is important to compare your wall measurements with the size of the mural to guarantee the right fit.
Image of Rock Island Line Mural framed at Milton & King – Dallas, Texas
Color Palette
Select a mural that harmonizes with the existing colors in your room. It can either blend seamlessly with your décor or provide a striking contrast. Depending on what you’re going for, you’ll want to consider the colors in the mural and how they work with your existing interior or how you might make other changes in the room to match.
Home Theme & Personal Style
Your wallpaper mural should reflect your personal taste and the overall style of your home. If you prefer modern, traditional, eclectic, or minimalist designs, there’s a mural to suit every aesthetic.
photo of Blooming Joy Mural courtesy of Bowers Construction
Popular Types Of Wallpaper Murals
Nature Scenes: Forests, mountains, beaches, and botanical gardens can bring the tranquility of the outdoors inside. These murals are perfect for creating a calming and serene environment. (image: Sinharaja Mural)
Photographic Cityscapes and Landmarks: Iconic city skylines, famous landmarks, and charming street scenes can add a touch of urban sophistication to your space. (image: Old Manhattan Mural)
Abstract Designs: Bold colors, geometric patterns, and fluid shapes can create a modern and artistic look. These murals are great for adding a contemporary edge to your décor. (Image: Path Less Travelled Mural)
Children’s Themes: Murals featuring animals, fairytale scenes, or space adventures can transform a child’s room into a magical world of imagination. (Image: Ocean Meets Sky Mural)
Limitations of Wallpaper Murals
By now you might be thinking, what’s not to love about wall murals. Well, there are some limitations to consider.
Limited Size
Most wallpaper murals have a set height and some that don’t horizontally repeat may have a set width. You want to make sure that your wall is not bigger than the mural otherwise you will have extra wall space around the mural. There are remedies to this, like framing the mural so it looks like a giant work of art. That said, unless you’re able to get something custom made, there is a good chance you will need to cut something from the top, bottom or sides of your mural and figuring out where and how to place the mural on your wall and decide which elements you’re happy to have cut off will be an important decision to make.
Image of eBoy New York Mural installed and framed by @DesignsByHuman
Limited Customization
Some manufacturers provide the ability to customize your wallpaper. Customizing the size to fit your wall is a popular request. However, some of the images used for a mural can only be blown up so big before they start to look blurry or pixelated. For the width, there are some murals that are able to be repeated horizontally every 3 or every 6 panels so that you can continue the mural as long as you need. Of course, if you’re wrapping the mural around the room, there will come the point where the end meets the beginning and the chances of that being a perfect match are not good. So make sure where you start and end your mural wrapped room is an inconspicuous area like behind a door.
Repair issues
Unlike wallpaper patterns with a repeating pattern, fixing an issue is much more difficult. You can’t just take some random cutoff from your leftover wallpaper and fix a damaged spot. If the mural is one giant image, there is a good chance it doesn’t repeat anywhere else. You’ll want to make sure you take extra care with your mural because you may find yourself having to replace an entire mural for a small amount of damage.
Conclusion
Wallpaper murals offer a quick, versatile and impactful way to transform your space. Whether you’re looking to create a calming retreat, a vibrant statement wall, or a whimsical children’s room, there’s a mural out there to fit your vision. With careful consideration and selection, a wallpaper mural can become the centerpiece of your décor, reflecting your unique style and bringing your walls to life.