Your Complete Guide to Buying and Applying Wall Murals
The desire to have a home that feels truly personal is a driving force in interior design. While furniture and color choices play a significant role, wall treatments offer a large canvas for expression. The use of mural wallpaper has become a favored method for introducing large-scale art and specific atmospheres into a room. Unlike repeating patterns that provide a simple backdrop, a mural acts as a major design feature. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from the initial idea to the finished mural wall. Following these steps will help you confidently select and install one of the many murals for home walls available today, ensuring a result you can be happy with for years to come.
Phase One: The Selection Process
Choosing the right mural is a process that balances artistic preference with practical considerations. Rushing this phase can lead to disappointment, so taking the time to think through each step is worthwhile.
Accurate Measurement a Critical First Step
Before you can even begin looking at designs, you must have precise measurements of your wall. This is the most critical step in the buying process. Using a metal tape measure, record the full height and width of the surface you plan to cover. Because very few walls are perfectly square, measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom, and do the same for the height on both sides. Use the largest of these respective measurements as your final dimension. When ordering your mural, it is standard practice to include a few extra inches or centimeters to both the final height and width. This contingency buffer acts as insurance, providing enough material to handle any slight crookedness in your walls and for a clean trim at the end. This is absolutely essential when you are planning for full wall murals.
Choosing a Design with Purpose
With measurements in hand, you can begin considering the design. This choice should be influenced by the room's function and existing style. A bedroom might benefit from a calming landscape, while a social space like a living room could support a more dynamic piece of wall art mural. Think about the colors within the mural and how they will interact with your room's lighting and other decor.
The scale of the imagery within the modern wall murals is another important factor. A design with very large, bold elements might overpower a small room, while a pattern with tiny details could get lost in a very large space. The goal is to find a piece of mural wall art that feels proportional to the room and its furnishings. Take your time Browse different styles, from photorealistic nature scenes to abstract compositions, to find an image that resonates with you.
Understanding Materials and Finishes
The material of your mural affects both its appearance and the installation method. The most common options are peel-and-stick and traditional non-woven papers. Peel-and-stick murals are typically made of vinyl with a self-adhesive backing. They are a great choice for renters or those who enjoy changing their decor frequently, as they can be repositioned and removed without damaging the wall.
Traditional non-woven materials require paste, which is often applied directly to the wall rather than the paper. This material is breathable, very durable, and is often used for high-end designer mural wallpaper because it can hold rich colors and fine details. It is also generally easier to remove than old-fashioned wallpaper. Pay attention to the finish as well; a matte finish will not reflect light and can hide minor wall imperfections, while a satin finish has a slight sheen that can make colors appear more vibrant.
Phase Two: The Application Process
Careful installation is what brings your chosen design to life. This phase is about patience and precision.
Meticulous Wall Preparation
A successful wallpaper mural installation begins with a properly prepared wall. The surface must be clean, smooth, and dry. Start by washing the wall with a mild detergent solution to remove any dust, grime, or oils. Any imperfections on the wall, no matter how small, will show through the mural. Fill any cracks or holes with spackle, and once it is dry, sand the patches until they are perfectly smooth with the rest of the wall. Applying a coat of wallpaper-specific primer is highly recommended. A primer seals the wall, preventing it from absorbing the moisture from the paste too quickly and promoting better adhesion. It also makes future removal much easier.
A Step-by-Step Installation Guide
With your wall prepped, you can begin the installation. It is highly advisable to have a second person help you.
- Inspect the Panels: Unroll your mural and check that all panels are present, numbered correctly, and free of any defects.
- Draw a Guide: Do not rely on the corner of the room as your starting point, as it may not be perfectly vertical. Use a level and a pencil to draw a straight plumb line on the wall to guide the placement of your first panel.
- Position the First Panel: Following your guide, carefully position the first panel. Allow a little extra material to overlap at the ceiling and the side edge for trimming later.
- Smooth It Out: Using a wallpaper smoothing tool, work from the center of the panel outward to push out any air bubbles.
- Align Subsequent Panels: Line up the next panel with the edge of the first, paying close attention to matching the pattern exactly. The seams on high-quality wallpaper wall murals should become nearly invisible when aligned correctly.
- Trim the Excess: Once all panels of the wall paper mural are in place and the adhesive is set, use a sharp utility knife and a straight edge to carefully trim the extra material at the ceiling, baseboards, and corners.
By following this guide, you can confidently approach your modern wall mural project. The process, while detailed, is achievable, and the final result of having a large-scale piece of art in your home is very rewarding. A well-selected and properly applied mural for wall will be a feature you can appreciate for a long time.
What's Your Reaction?
