What is a wall mural? All about murals

 

In this guide, we will answer the question of what a wall mural is and make sure that everything you need to know about it is here. There are also many other questions about wall mural, such as what are the available designs, whether there are customized versions, and whether or not they are eco-friendly. Know the answers here.

 

What is the difference between wall mural and wallpaper?

 

Let’s start with the most common question about wall murals: what is the difference between wall murals and wallpapers? At a glance, they might seem similar. Both serve as decorative treatments for walls and offer various design options. However, there are notable differences:

Wallpapers predominantly feature repeating patterns, be it florals, geometrics, or abstract designs, offering consistency and setting a room's ambiance. They envelop spaces with a continuous theme, subtly complementing the room's decor.

On the contrary, wall murals break this monotony with their unique, singular designs. As a centerpiece, murals present large images or artworks, be it a magnified photograph, an idyllic landscape, or a striking graphic, invariably drawing the room's focus and offering a transformative experience.

Photowall offers both wall murals and wallpapers. Their mural collection spans from classic imagery of forests and beaches to fairytale motifs, children’s movies, pop culture icons, magnificent structures, and vibrant cityscapes. On the other note, their wallpaper collection features a broad spectrum of styles, including the orderliness of stripes, the boldness of large patterns, the simplicity of solid colors, the abstract beauty of splatters, the authenticity of rustic motifs, or the vibrant diversity of multicolor designs to name a few.

 

What are the uses of wall murals?

 

With their vast expanse of imagery and design, wall murals are not just a decorative feature but serve myriad purposes in various domains. This section will delve into the multifaceted uses of wall murals, exploring their roles in interior design, arts and crafts, home and office décor, and even their protective attributes.

 

For interior design

 

 

Wall murals seamlessly blend art with functionality, serving as transformative elements in interior design. Their ability to capture emotions, themes, and atmospheres makes them a captivating choice for homeowners and designers alike. Uses of wall murals for interior design include:

•   Space alteration: Wall murals can change the perception of space. For instance, a mural with depth can make a small room feel larger, while a calming landscape can make a chaotic space feel serene.

•   Creating an accent wall: Instead of painting or covering all walls with one color, a mural can be a focal point, drawing attention and making a bold statement.

•   Setting an interior motif/theme: Murals set the tone for the room. Whether it's a tropical paradise, an urban cityscape, or a serene forest, they can define the theme of an entire space.

•   Creating ambiance: Murals can evoke feelings and moods. For example, a serene beach scene can create a calm atmosphere, while a vibrant street art mural can infuse energy.

•   Incorporating art and culture: They can bring elements of different cultures, historical events, or famous artworks, making a room feel like a journey through time or around the world.

Using wall murals in interior design is not just about aesthetics; it's about creating an interior design that evokes emotions and experiences, making a space truly unique. For those planning to use wall murals to elevate their interior design, here’s the ultimate guide on how to choose a wall mural perfect for your room.

 

For arts and crafts

 

 

Wall murals have beautified our living spaces and been creatively incorporated into arts and crafts over the years. This adaptability has given rise to numerous artistic endeavors that utilize wall mural designs. Some inspired uses of wall murals for arts and crafts include:

•   Decorations: Wall mural wallpapers have become a favorite among craft enthusiasts for creating bespoke decorations. The potential applications are abundant, from Christmas ornaments and Valentine's cards to Easter egg holders and wedding decor.

•   Stylish origami: The intricate designs of wall murals can give your origami creations a unique twist, transforming simple paper folds into mesmerizing art pieces. Here’s another creative idea from Photowall: Origami Diamonds

•   Mural-covered notebooks: You can turn your ordinary notebooks into artistic journals by wrapping them with mural designs. It's an easy way to make note-taking a more delightful experience.

•   Gift bags: Why settle for store-bought when you can design your own? With wall mural designs, you can craft distinctive gift bags that will make your presents even more special.

The scope for creativity with wall murals in arts and crafts is vast. For more inspiration and crafty ideas, don't forget to explore the Photowall Magazine.

 

For office or home decor

 

 

Wall murals offer more than just wall aesthetics; they've become a transformative element in home and office decor, adding vibrancy and personality to everyday objects. With just a touch of creativity, murals can breathe new life into mundane items, turning them into bespoke art pieces.

•   Cabinet and shelves makeover: Wall mural wallpapers can be an excellent tool to spruce up your storage. A wall mural can transform its appearance, whether a bookshelf in your study room or a cabinet in your bedroom. With wall murals, drawers, cabinets, and shelves can jazz up the room.

•   Pleated lampshade: By combining a stunning piece of wallpaper with an old lampshade from a flea market, you can breathe new life into your lighting fixtures. For a comprehensive guide on how to achieve this, check out this step-by-step tutorial: Photowall guide to making a pleated lampshade.

•   Chairs and tables: Homeowners and interior decorators give their chairs and tables a makeover using wall mural wallpapers. Not only does this protect the furniture, but it also adds a touch of artistry to them.

•   Framed wall mural prints: Think outside the box by framing smaller pieces of wall mural designs. They can serve as unique artwork for your walls, adding depth and intrigue to your home's aesthetics.

•   Stairs: You can also transform your staircase into a visual journey by applying wall murals on stair risers. This creates a cascading effect of imagery.

Incorporating murals into your office space or home interior opens doors to many design possibilities. Whether it's through the subtle elegance of framed prints or the bold transformation of furniture, murals prove that when it comes to design, the sky's the limit.

 

For protecting the walls

 

Wall murals offer an excellent blend of beauty and functionality as a protective shield for walls. They buffer against everyday wear and tear, safeguarding walls from accidental scratches and dings, especially in high-traffic areas. Apart from these practical benefits, wall murals from Photowall can be easily maintained, often requiring just a simple wipe-down to keep them looking fresh. Thus, integrating a mural elevates a room's aesthetics and ensures its walls remain top-notch. If you need a separate guide on cleaning and maintaining wall murals, this guide covers everything.

 

What are the common wall mural designs?

 

Now that you have a wide understanding of the various purposes of wall murals, let’s get to know some designs available in the market. Here's a snapshot of some popular themes:

•  Cities and places: These murals often feature iconic skylines, historic landmarks, and picturesque streets. Homeowners or interior designers frequently choose them to bring a cosmopolitan flair or a touch of wanderlust to a space.

•  Nature-inspired sceneries: Mountains, forests, beaches — the beauty of the natural world is unparalleled. These designs are often selected to instill serenity and peace within a room, bringing the tranquility of the outdoors.

•  Celebrities or people: For the ardent fan or the art lover, these murals showcase famous personalities from various fields. They reflect personal admiration and can add a touch of glamour or inspiration to a room.

•  Astronomy and space: Murals that capture the vastness of the universe, with stars, planets, and galaxies, appeal to those intrigued by the mysteries beyond our world. They're chosen to bring a sense of wonder and depth to a space.

•  Fantasy-inspired murals: From mythical creatures to magical landscapes, these designs cater to those who enjoy the whimsical and the imaginative, transforming a room into a land of dreams.

•  Animals: Whether it's a lion's wild allure or a deer's gentleness, animal-themed murals are often chosen to signify certain characteristics or simply an appreciation for the animal kingdom.

In conclusion, while these are some of the more common mural themes, the world of wall mural designs is vast and ever-evolving. Photowall takes this diversity a step further, boasting an impressive collection of 30,000 designs, ensuring there's something for every taste and preference. 

 

What are wall murals made of?

 

As you delve deeper into the world of wall murals, it's essential to understand the materials behind these magnificent designs. We'll explore the four most commonly used materials for wall murals, shedding light on their characteristics.

 

Natural materials

 

Natural materials for wall murals typically derive from organic sources. This category encompasses grasscloth, bamboo, cork, and jute materials. Each of these offers a unique texture, with grasscloth providing a woven look, bamboo giving a ribbed texture, cork bringing a soft and spongy feel, and jute showcasing a coarse finish. These materials, being natural, might have variations in texture and color.

 

Materials for easy application and versatility

 

Peel-and-stick and non-woven murals stand out in this category. Peel-and-stick murals are known for their easy application, allowing for repositioning without glue. They're user-friendly, especially for DIY enthusiasts. On the other hand, non-woven murals are lauded for their durability, being tear-resistant and easy to clean. Their breathable nature prevents mold and mildew, making them a sustainable choice for various settings, especially in moisture-prone areas.

 

Specialty materials

 

This category might feature materials like foil, which offers a gleaming metallic finish, or flocking, which provides a velvety touch to the mural's surface. There are also murals with beaded or sequined finishes, introducing a tactile and shimmering effect. Consequently, they might not be easy to clean and maintain.

 

Others

 

Within the extensive realm of wall mural materials, there are several materials, including vinyl and fiberglass. Vinyl murals are crafted from synthetic polymers. Fiberglass murals are made from fine threads of glass woven into a fabric. It's important to note that these materials have specific qualities and cater to various preferences, offering different bases for the diverse designs available.

Photowall offers peel-and-stick and non-woven wall murals. The non-woven types use a convenient paste-the-wall method, resist sunlight fading, and are PVC-free, fire-rated, and eco-friendly. Their premium variant adds scratch resistance, anti-reflectivity, and easy cleaning. Meanwhile, the peel-and-stick option has a textile-like satin finish and is simple to maintain, ensuring aesthetics meet durability. 

 

How do manufacturers design wall murals?

 

In the world of wall murals, most manufacturers employ a systematic design process that involves trend analysis, artwork creation, and iterative feedback. They often integrate traditional artistry and modern digital techniques to develop captivating visuals for murals. However, Photowall takes a distinctive approach. With a robust collaboration with over 100 global designers, Photowall boasts an expansive collection of 30,000 designs. Their offerings range from serene natural landscapes and intricate architectural marvels to pop culture references and energetic sports visuals. They have both simple and bold mural designs. This diverse assortment ensures every individual can find a design resonating with their aesthetic preferences.

 

How are wall murals printed?

 

Wall mural printing by most manufacturers typically involves a combination of digital and offset printing techniques, ensuring high-resolution imagery and vibrant color reproduction. The objective is to ensure clarity, color accuracy, and durability, considering the product's large-scale nature. 

Photowall, however, elevates the printing process to be uniquely user-centric. Tailoring each wallpaper to individual customer specifications, they print according to precise measurements provided, methodically numbering each strip in the sequence in which it should be hung. This attention to detail ensures that not only is the mural aesthetically pleasing, but the installation becomes a simpler, hassle-free experience, empowering customers to decorate their interiors.

 

How are wall murals packaged?

 

Regarding packaging wall murals, some manufacturers use materials that protect the product from potential damage during transit, generally employing robust packaging materials to preserve the print's integrity. 

Photowall goes a step further in ensuring protection and a seamless customer experience. They meticulously pack each wallpaper in an eco-friendly, durable cardboard box. Anticipating the customer's needs, the box is also thoughtfully equipped with free glue and comprehensive assembly instructions. This holistic approach underscores Photowall's dedication to product quality and superior customer satisfaction.

 

How are wall murals shipped?

 

Most manufacturers use standard shipping methods and practices to cater to their customer base. Photowall, however, takes its shipping protocol a notch higher. They emphasize rapid, streamlined, and dependable delivery for their global clientele. Once an order is placed, it gets dispatched typically between 1-4 days, keeping customers in the loop with a confirmation email with order tracking details. 

They also offer free shipping to customers in the EU and countries with dedicated Photowall sites, including the United States, Canada, Singapore, Australia, the UK, and Switzerland. Even for regions outside the EU without a dedicated site, Photowall ensures that shipping charges remain minimal, underscoring their commitment to accessibility and affordability for their clientele.

 

Are there eco-friendly wall murals?

 

In today's environmentally-conscious era, the demand for eco-friendly products extends to the realm of home decor, with many seeking sustainable alternatives for wall murals. Catering to this conscious shift, Photowall ensures an eco-friendly production. The company meticulously integrates environmental sustainability into every facet of its production. By producing products strictly on order, they dramatically reduce wastage. Moreover, the ink used in their printing process is biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals. Even their packaging echoes this dedication; each wallpaper arrives in a box crafted from fully or partially recycled materials. A complete guide on choosing an eco-friendly wall mural is available here.

 

Can you make your own custom wall mural?

 

 

A custom wall mural elevates personalization to a new level, allowing homeowners and interior designers to bring their unique visions to life. Unlike standard murals that feature pre-designed images or artworks, custom wall murals are tailored to an individual's choice, be it a cherished photograph, an artwork, or any design of personal significance. If you’re wondering if you can create your own custom wall mural, the answer is yes.

But where can you turn to ensure this customization process is seamless and high-quality?  Photowall emerges as the go-to platform. Its user-friendly interface lets you easily upload and visualize your chosen image. Moreover, their graphic artists are on hand to enhance and adjust your design, from color to proportion adjustments. A step-by-step guide on how to make a custom wall mural is available here.

Things to remember when buying a wall mural

 

Now that you have an in-depth understanding of wall murals remember some factors to consider when buying a wall mural:

•   Quality is an essential consideration: The aesthetic value of wallpaper is essential, but without robust quality, even the most stylish designs can lose their appeal over time. Choosing wall murals that are manufactured using high-quality materials like the ones from Photowall is essential.

•   Select a platform with diverse and aesthetic options: This aspect goes beyond color and pattern— your chosen platform should offer murals that resonate with your style, align with the rest of your decor, and create the desired mood. The broader the selection, the better.

•   Choose easy-to-install murals: By selecting a company that prioritizes user-friendly installation methods, you can confidently embark on your decorating journey and achieve professional-looking results. You may check here: how to install wall murals

•   Consider the shopping experience: Buy wallpaper where you can select wallpaper with ease and enjoyment. Choose a platform with reliable customer service, an easy-to-navigate website, and one that offers a simple ordering and payment method.

•   Know if there is an option to request samples: The option to order samples allows you to get a tangible feel of the wallpaper's texture and see its true color in your room's lighting. This helps you make a more informed decision. Here’s a complete guide on this: how to request wall mural samples

In the vast realm of interior decor, wall murals stand out as a powerful medium to express creativity, evoke emotions, and transform spaces. From their diverse materials and multifunctional uses to the intricacies of their design, printing, and shipping processes, murals offer a unique blend of art and functionality. For the most complete guide on deciding where to buy wall murals, here’s the best reference: where to buy wall murals