Walls That Wow: Everything You Need to Know About Custom Murals
Wall murals have surged in popularity in recent years as a creative and impactful way to transform interior spaces. Whether you want to make a bold artistic statement, bring the beauty of nature indoors, or add a personal touch to your home or business, custom wall murals, including Peel and Stick Wall Murals, open up a world of design possibilities.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about wall murals – from the latest design trends to tips for installation and long-term care. By the end, you’ll be ready to take on your own stunning mural project.
Mural Design and Customization
One of the best things about wall murals is the virtually endless options for customization. Thanks to advances in digital printing, you can turn almost any high-resolution image into a mural – whether it’s a favorite photograph, an artistic design, or a brand logo.
When choosing or creating a mural design, consider the overall style and color palette of the space. Do you want something bold and energetic or soothing and subtle? Trending mural styles for 2025 include:
- Nature-inspired scenes like lush forests, floral patterns, and serene landscapes
- Abstract designs and artistic expressions
- Personalized murals like family photos or custom illustrations
- Futuristic, tech-inspired patterns
- Eco-friendly murals made with sustainable materials
If you need help developing your mural concept, consider working with a professional illustrator or designer. Many print services also offer extensive libraries of existing mural designs to choose from.
Mural Installation in Challenging Spaces
Proper surface preparation and careful installation are crucial for achieving a seamless, professional-looking mural. The good news is that today’s mural materials like pre-pasted and peel-and-stick wallpapers have made the process easier than ever, even for DIY installers.
However, some spaces can present extra challenges, such as:
- Textured walls
- Uneven or damaged surfaces
- Obstacles like outlets, windows, or curved walls
- Large-scale murals requiring precise panel alignment
In these cases, it’s often worth hiring an experienced professional installer. They will have the right tools and techniques to properly prep the surface, align the design, and trim around obstacles for a flawless finish. Professional installation typically takes around 3-4 hours.
If you do choose the DIY route, look for “easy install” murals and read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Use a level and measuring tape to ensure straight, even panel placement. And don’t forget to smooth out any air bubbles as you go!
Mural Maintenance and Cleaning
With proper care, your wall mural can stay looking great for years to come. The specific maintenance needs will depend on the material of your mural wallcovering.
In general, you should dust the mural regularly with a soft, dry cloth or vacuum with a brush attachment. For most synthetic materials, you can also gently clean the surface as needed using a damp cloth and mild, non-abrasive cleaner.
However, some natural materials like grasscloth may be more difficult to clean without damaging the surface. And certain wallpapers may require special solvents to remove. Always spot test any cleaning product in an inconspicuous area first.
If your mural does get damaged, stained, or starts peeling over time, you can usually replace just the affected panel rather than the entire mural. Touch-up kits and extra panels are available from many mural retailers.
Mural Longevity and Durability
A high-quality wall mural can last 10-15 years on average with proper installation and maintenance. However, the longevity will ultimately depend on the material, environmental conditions, and level of wear-and-tear.
Vinyl murals tend to be the most long-lasting and can stand up well to cleaning, moisture, and fading. Pre-pasted and peel-and-stick murals are also quite durable these days thanks to improved adhesives.
Paper-based murals may be more delicate and prone to rips or stains. Humidity can also cause curling or rippling. Choosing a protective top coat can help extend the life of these natural fiber murals.
To maximize the lifespan of any mural, it’s best to install it away from direct sunlight and moisture when possible. You should also repair any chips, tears, or peeling edges promptly with glue or replacement panels to prevent further damage.
Peel and Stick Wall Murals
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Los Angeles
Los Angeles,[a] often referred to by its initials L.A., is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California. With roughly 3.9 million residents within the city limits as of 2020,[7] Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind only New York City; it is also the commercial, financial and cultural center of Southern California. Los Angeles has an ethnically and culturally diverse population, and is the principal city of a metropolitan area of 13.2 million people. Greater Los Angeles, which includes the Los Angeles and Riverside–San Bernardino metropolitan areas, is a sprawling metropolis of over 18 million residents.
The majority of the city proper lies in a basin in Southern California adjacent to the Pacific Ocean in the west and extending partly through the Santa Monica Mountains and north into the San Fernando Valley, with the city bordering the San Gabriel Valley to its east. It covers about 469 square miles (1,210 km2),[6] and is the county seat of Los Angeles County, which is the most populous county in the United States with an estimated 9.86 million residents as of 2022.[16] It is the fourth-most visited city in the U.S. with over 2.7 million visitors as of 2022.[17]
The area that became Los Angeles was originally inhabited by the indigenous Tongva people and later claimed by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo for Spain in 1542. The city was founded on September 4, 1781, under Spanish governor Felipe de Neve, on the village of Yaanga.[18] It became a part of Mexico in 1821 following the Mexican War of Independence. In 1848, at the end of the Mexican–American War, Los Angeles and the rest of California were purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and became part of the United States. Los Angeles was incorporated as a municipality on April 4, 1850, five months before California achieved statehood. The discovery of oil in the 1890s brought rapid growth to the city.[19] The city was further expanded with the completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913, which delivers water from Eastern California.
Los Angeles has a diverse economy with a broad range of industries. Los Angeles is best known as the home of the Hollywood film industry, the world’s largest by revenue; the city was an important site in the history of film. It also has one of the busiest container ports in the Americas.[20][21][22] In 2018, the Los Angeles metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product of over $1.0 trillion,[23] making it the city with the third-largest GDP in the world, after New York and Tokyo. Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, and will also host in 2028. Despite a business exodus from Downtown Los Angeles since the COVID-19 pandemic, the city’s urban core is evolving as a cultural center with the world’s largest showcase of architecture designed by Frank Gehry.[24] More recently, statewide droughts in California have strained both the city’s and Los Angeles County’s water security.[25][26]
Get Inspired
Wall murals have the power to completely elevate and transform a space. Whether you opt for a pre-designed mural or create a fully custom work of art, the possibilities are endless.
Some popular mural applications include:
- Accent walls in living rooms or bedrooms
- Playful themed designs for kids’ rooms
- Calming nature scenes in offices or waiting rooms
- High-impact branding and logos in retail stores or restaurants
- Unique headboards or wall art in hotels and homes
For even more wall mural ideas and inspiration, check out design websites like Houzz, Pinterest, and Dezeen. You can also browse the portfolios of mural artists and wallpaper companies to see real-life examples of stunning mural installations.
We hope this guide has given you the knowledge and inspiration to tackle your own wall mural project with confidence. With the right design, materials, and installation, a beautiful custom mural can provide the perfect finishing touch to any residential or commercial space.