Decorating Guides
Design Details: 12 Ways With Wall Murals
Transform a room with a remarkable scene created in paint, paper, tile or decals
Looking for a way to transform a room with a big dramatic statement? Consider a mural. From elegant, colonial dining rooms to energetic, modern kids' rooms, an endless variety of designs and methods are available. Murals can be created by artists who paint them right on the walls, by using scenic wallpaper, by composing decals across a wall and even out of tile.
This trend is one that was brought over from Europe to the United States not far behind the original settlers. Now that's a trend with staying power.
This trend is one that was brought over from Europe to the United States not far behind the original settlers. Now that's a trend with staying power.
This trend has been around in the United States since they were mere colonies. "During the early part of the 19th century itinerant artists would travel the countryside earning their living by painting portraits and murals," says interior designer Skip Sroka. "They usually were self-trained and had a wonderful sense of naiveté about them... In this room we captured that feeling of the early Virginia countryside. This is a soft-spoken room that speaks volumes." The mural, painted by artist Kay Jones, was an apt choice, as this home was originally built around 1795.
This room presented some unique design challenges, as it is oval and the ceilings are 16 feet high. The mural brings everything together. "Wall murals can take many forms; in this case it is handpainted wallcovering with silk embroidered flowers," says Interior Designer Peg Berens. "In a deliberate effort to draw the eye down and keep it down, I customized the mural on the wallcovering to go no higher than 10'. The tree on the mural was also designed to start just to the right of the sideboard table and gracefully end by the door on the right of the space. The resulting effect draws the eye to the mural itself and keeps the focus where it should be in this unusually shaped room."
Chinoiserie is a popular element within Hollywood Regency style, and this rich green wallpaper sets a formal yet soft tone in this sophisticated dining room.
This soft botanical wall gives the room a sense of age and organic beauty.
See how to paint a wall stencil
See how to paint a wall stencil
Birds & Birch - Dining Room Focal Wall
"Using a mural is a wonderful decorative way to personalize a space. Being able to customize the mural enables you to have something that is completely unique and one-of-a-kind," says Lorre Lei of Casart Coverings. "Of course, if you use a product that’s also removable and reusable, there’s the added advantage that, if you should move, you can take your mural with you and re-install in your new space."
Murals are not just for the public rooms on the first floor. This bathroom's focal wall is covered in an antique wallpaper that was created before the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. "This is actually French hand-blocked wallpaper that was taken down from a house in Baltimore. The back of the paper had to have some of the plaster scraped off," explains designer Skip Sroka. "If you look closely at the mural at the tub, you’ll see that the Frenchman who did the scene had never been to America" and shows people of all races treating each other as equals.
"Murals give a wonderful sense of depth to a room. Done right they add a magic and interest that nothing else can do," he says. That assertion is made very clear in this room's design.
"Murals give a wonderful sense of depth to a room. Done right they add a magic and interest that nothing else can do," he says. That assertion is made very clear in this room's design.
Looking for something a little more waterproof for your bathroom? Here a mural effect is created by composing a mosaic of tiles by Bisazza.
More inspiring mosaics in home interiors
More inspiring mosaics in home interiors
Mural artist Anita Roll created a dynamic cityscape for this nursery. "I wanted to paint a fun interactive mural (counting, colors and shapes) that would be relevant for many years," she says. "I could see children playacting with these buildings as a backdrop for lots of games as well...I loved painting it!"
Oversized maps are another great way to cover a wall with something interactive and playful.
See more maps in action | How to cover your walls in maps or charts
See more maps in action | How to cover your walls in maps or charts
Another way to create a mural that is not permanent is to compose wall decals across an entire wall. This undersea-themed wall is full of unexpected textures and colors, the perfect choice for a child's bedroom or playroom.
More ways with wall decals
More ways with wall decals
The possibilities with murals are truly endless. You can have custom wallcoverings made from your own photographs or other images. In this case, Casart Coverings took an antique print John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon bought in India and reproduced it at a large size to cover an entire wall in their kitchen.
More:
14 Ways to Make the Most of Your Wallpaper
DIY Project: Wallpaper Goes Mobile
Stencils: All Grown Up and Sophisticated
More:
14 Ways to Make the Most of Your Wallpaper
DIY Project: Wallpaper Goes Mobile
Stencils: All Grown Up and Sophisticated
