How to hang wall murals: What's the difference between wall murals and wallpaper?

· 3 min read
How to hang wall murals: What's the difference between wall murals and wallpaper?

Wall murals add a touch of sophistication to a home and can brighten up even the dullest rooms. However, knowing where to place  Mural Wallpaper  and how to hang it up can be complicated.  Modern Home Wall Decoration .co.uk chatted to Nina Tarnowski, Founder and Designer from Woodchip & Magnolia, to find out everything you need to know about wall murals.

Murals are extremely popular in the interiors world right now, and you will definitely have seen a few fancy examples on your Instagram feed.

Interiors expert and designer Nina Tarnowski explained she thinks the rise in popularity of murals is down to the three lockdowns in the UK over the last year.

She said: “ As a result of a challenging 2020, the nation has developed a new-found love and admiration for nature and the outdoors.


“This has had a direct impact on the way we view and live in our homes, with many homeowners looking to bring the outdoors in.

“Earthy tones, botanical prints and floral designs are all key elements required to creating nature-inspired interiors this year.”

What's the difference between wall murals and wallpaper?
Wallpaper and wall murals are slightly different, but you can use both in a room at the same time.

The main difference between wallpaper and wall murals is that wall murals tend to be printed to fit your space exactly and they are more customizable.

3D Buddha Mural Wallpaper  said: “Wall murals should be considered as a piece of art. Different from wallpaper, wall murals are large scale designs made to measure for your specific space.”

Wall murals are typically used on one wall in a room as a statement rather than all over.

3D Buddha Wallpaper  can work well in pretty much any room in a home, but it’s tricky to figure out where to place them and which mural suits the space you’re working with.

Nina explained: “Murals are large scale designs that create the illusion of height and space in even the smallest of rooms.

India Wallpaper Wall Mural  in deep and rich tones can add depth and drama, but for those looking for a more subtle approach, try a vintage-inspired wall mural in a soft neutral.

“You can use murals in all areas of the home; they are not limited to just the bedroom or living room, they work great in the kitchen, bathroom and hallway too.”

As  Meditating Buddha Wallpaper  as you might love that bright and bold mural, it might not work for the purpose of the room.

Nina said: “You’ll want to choose a design to suit your personality but also the functionality of the room.

Nature Wallpaper  ought to evoke a sense of calm and the design should feel cocooning.

“Whether that’s an intricate floral design or even a marbled effect in a rich colourway, whatever you choose should make waking up a dream come true.

“If you’re shopping for the bathroom, opt for a design that injects beauty and serenity, a blue palette is perfect for this."


If you have particularly low ceilings or are working with a smaller space, you might like to try a mural on the ceiling.

Nina commented: “Patterns don't have to stop at the walls, covering the ceiling with the same mural will create the illusion of more space.

“The guidelines and corners of the walls will be less defined or blurred, so the room will be perceived as much larger than it is.”

How to hang wall murals
Once you’ve chosen the mural, it’s time to work on installing them on your chosen wall or ceiling.

Nina explained: “Wall murals are easy to install, but whether you hire a decorator or choose to do the task yourself, you’ll need to make sure your walls are cleaned and dry and any imperfections filled in.

“Once you’re ready to hang, cut along the clear lines to create your panels.

“Bespoke made to measure murals should be hung left to right in ascending panel numbers, always making sure to smooth down and trim where necessary before moving onto the next panel.”