Wall Murals Are the Hot Throwback Wallpaper Trend You Have to See

Wallpaper is a striking way to introduce color and pattern to your home, but the latest trend in wallcoverings goes even bigger and bolder. Murals featuring large-scale art are popping up across living areas, dining rooms, powder rooms, and more. Many depict scenic landscapes, delicate floral or botanical motifs, and other larger-than-life designs that deliver drama and depth to walls.

The key difference between murals and other wallpaper is how the pattern works. While traditional wallpaper typically features a seamlessly repeating print, murals portray a specific scene, such as a moody mountain setting or a colorful array of tropical plants. Perhaps the most popular theme for murals is scenes of nature, which offer a way to bring the outdoors in.

Murals are fast becoming highly sought-after for interiors. York Wallcoverings, the oldest and largest wallcovering producer in the U.S., saw a 200% increase in demand for murals in 2021 compared to the previous year, notes Carol Miller, the brand's content marketing manager.

The history of murals can be traced back to the earliest cave paintings, and tapestries that told stories were later hung on walls in ancient Greece and Rome and throughout the Middle Ages, Miller says. This tradition of personalizing walls with scenic images continues today, but modern innovations have broadened the variety of designs and made them easier to apply. Many wallpaper murals are in peel-and-stick panels or made with high-quality backing, making application and removal easy.

Generally, murals with more traditional designs, such as chinoiserie-inspired patterns or designs based on antique etchings, look gorgeous in formal spaces such as dining rooms. Dreamy, watercolor-like landscapes can create a soothing effect in bedrooms, while brightly colored graphic designs can set a happy tone in an entryway, kids' room, or powder room.

When deciding where to hang a mural, consider areas where its grand scale will be best showcased and appreciated. "Open wall spaces without large pieces of furniture will showcase murals to their best effect," Miller says. Center a mural on one accent wall to set the room's focal point or mimic the effect of a window where there isn't one. Miller also notes that many murals feature endlessly repeating designs, so you can easily continue the mural across a large wall or wrap an entire room. You may even consider hanging a mural on the ceiling to deliver an unexpected abstract design overhead.

Most murals come in a series of panels installed in a specific order to create the overall design. Be sure to measure your wall carefully and order the correct-sized mural for your space. Apply the panels one at a time according to the manufacturer's instructions, which might involve applying adhesive paste first or pressing the self-adhesive backing to the wall. To ensure the mural is centered on the wall, Miller suggests starting in the middle and working outwards as you hang the panels.

If you're ready to transform your walls with some impressive art, here are a few gorgeous wallpaper murals to consider.