These Outrageously Beautiful Wallpapers And Wall Murals Will Steal The Show In Any Room

BY CRESCENCIA NGA CHE

Turn your walls into true pieces of artwork with stunning wallpapers and wall murals 

There is something quite enchanting, almost magical about a stunning wallpaper or a wall mural. Their ability to transform an ordinary space into a show-stopper almost instantly makes them quite appealing to many homeowners and renters alike.

From spectacular scenic wall murals to muted raffia and grasscloth wallpapers, these wall decorations continue to bring life to many home interiors around the world. 

The sophisticated hand painted wallpapers and wall murals designed by the likes of British firm de Gournay and French house La Maison Ananbô are considered true works of art, given the numerous hours of artisanship required to produce a customised wallcovering.

But, what actually distinguishes a wallpaper from a wall mural? How do you know which one to select to adorn your empty walls? And where do you go to find some ideas for your next home decor project? 

Below is a succinct guide to help you differentiate these two wall decorations and decide which one is best for your next home decor journey. 

Finally, draw inspiration from a curated list of some of the best wallpaper and wall mural ideas out there to add the “wow” factor into your space.

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What is the Difference Between Wallpaper and Wall Mural?

Whilst they seemingly perform more or less the same wallcovering function, there are a few key differences between wallpapers and wall murals that set them apart. Below are their main differentiating factors.

Wall Murals Are Usually Used to Create a Feature Wall in a Room

The biggest difference between a wall mural and wallpaper is how you choose to use both wall coverings in your home interiors.  

People generally use wall murals to create a specific feature wall  or a statement wall in their space in light of wall murals’ bold and eye-catching designs.

On the other hand, you can usually apply wallpaper on all your room walls to enhance the beauty of your home space or disguise wall imperfections.

However, depending on the nature of the wall mural design patterns that tend to be less repetitive than most wallpapers, some homeowners choose to apply them on all their walls in a bathroom, a dining room, or a bedroom to add interest to the room decor. 

Wallpaper and Wall Murals’ Production Processes Slightly Differ

Wallpapers have standardised surface print or embossed production processes that make it much easier to produce the wall coverings’ similar design patterns in very large quantities.

Wallpapers add depth to any room thanks to their elegant two-dimensional prints and textures from grasscloth, eco-friendly paper, fabric, to family-friendly vinyl materials, just to name a few.

On the other hand, wall murals are individually produced using technologically advanced three-dimensional digital printing techniques on high quality photography paper or other bespoke print surfaces. This helps their design patterns stand out like art pieces. 

Wallpapers Are Sold by the Roll whereas Wall Murals Are Sold by the Panel

In light of their mass production, wallpapers are generally sold by the roll given the similar design patterns that they showcase, which help standardise their printing processes.

Wall murals are sold by the panel. This is because their unique or less repetitive design patterns are printed in such a way that each panel exhibits a different piece of the design that comes together when all the panels are fully installed.

Wallpapers and Wall Murals Have Different Application Processes

When you install a wallpaper roll in any of your rooms, you apply it in such a way that it fully fits either a feature wall or all your walls without too much thinking about the wallpaper design pattern. 

When applying wall mural panels instead, you need to ensure that individual panels are properly installed to cohesively display the design patterns that they depict.

Wall Murals Can Be Fully Customisable

Beyond changing a background colour or the rotation of your design pattern, wallpapers are a little bit difficult to customise in light of their standardised mass production processes.

Wall murals on the other hand are a little easier to customise, since they are individually produced for the bespoke designs to fit your exact rooms’ sizes.

Best Wall Murals and Wallpaper Ideas For Different Tastes

Now that you have a little understanding of the key differences between wall murals and wallpapers, have fun checking out these gorgeous wall coverings that will hopefully get you excited about your upcoming room makeover project!  

Renters, do take heart; this curated collection offers peel and stick wallpapers and wall murals to help you upgrade your rented space without hurting your security deposit.

Scenic Nature Wallpapers and Wall Murals

Bring the outdoors inside with these spectacular wall coverings that will fill you “emotionally” with vitamin D without you having to set foot outside. 

From charming countryside scenery to calming monochromatic or colourful landscapes, immerse yourself in nature to recharge your soul from the comfort of your space.

Floral Wallpapers and Wall Murals

Chelsea Flower Show fans can continue their love affair with stunning flower displays by drenching their home interiors with these superb flower wallpapers and wall murals.

These will keep the spring/summer season going in their homes all year round.

Chinoiserie Wallpaper and Murals

Nothing epitomises stunning wallcovering like timeless chinoiserie wallpaper and wall murals.

They have adorned centuries’ old palaces and luxury homes in Asia and all over the world. Some vintage wallpapers and murals are collector’s items only. 

But, if you can’t afford them, the ones in this curated collection will add that classic look in any of your rooms at a reasonable price. Go for it!

Minimalist Wallpaper and Murals

For a calming home atmosphere, opt for a more restrained wallpaper or wall mural, depending on the final design style you are seeking to create in your space.

These muted wallcoverings with subtly embossed textures and barely there design patterns convey understated elegance. They are excellent to create both a soothing and refined space.  

Animal Wallpapers and Murals

No, they are not just for the kids’ bedrooms or playrooms. Stunning animal wallpapers and wall murals in a monochromatic colour palette or a full blown rainbow of colours can truly turn a very plain space into a stunning retreat worth spending some quality time in. 

To make it work, start by defining your colour scheme and consider the animal wall covering options that will beautifully complement your chosen space.

Geometric Wallpapers and Murals

Fake the look of beautiful wall tiles by embracing geometric patterns in herringbone, hexagon, triangular or curvy forms that are reminiscent of the Art Deco and the Mid-century Modern design styles. 

Their playfulness and sophisticated shapes might be just what you need to brighten any dark room in your space.

Tropical Wall Murals

Pack your bag to far away exotic travel destinations with these striking wall murals that depict life under the tropics or during ancient times in India, China, or Africa. 

Every time you’ll look at your wallpaper or mural at home, let your mind escape to those places for a little moment to imagine different lifestyles under the sun in those bygone eras.

Abstract Wallpapers and Wall Murals

The modern appeal of trendy abstract wallcoverings make them suitable for rooms with muted colour palettes that need just that extra bit of colour to elevate them.

With abstract wallpapers and murals, the application process can be a little bit more forgiving than with other wallcoverings with very defined design patterns that need a perfect installation process. Give it a go!

The Best Places to Shop for Wallpapers and Wall Murals

There are an awful lot of online places for you to shop around for wallpapers and wall murals. 

Having scrolled the internet, here are a few places that have an extensive range of gorgeous wallpapers and wall murals from affordable to very high end price points.

Etsy – by far the best hub for quite unique and vintage wallpapers and wall murals from all over the world. It is ideal for both affordable and mid-market high quality wallcoverings.

Graham & Brown – extensive range of high quality yet affordable wallpapers for all rooms, and limited range of beautiful wall murals, which are definitely worth a look.

Anthropologie – mid-market to relatively expensive wallpapers with stunning design patterns that will definitely stir up conversations in your living spaces. 

Isidore Leroy – very elegant and quite simply superb wallpapers and wall murals that are worth every penny of their relatively expensive price points on offer for very original designs.

John Lewis – has an extensive range of wallpapers from mid-market to designer brands, with some very beautiful abstract wallpapers from Harlequin worth checking out.

Rebel Walls – very decent collection of scenic and abstract wallpapers and wall murals at mid-market prices to upgrade any room in your home.

Farrow & Ball – mostly relatively expensive floral and striped wallpapers to suit very femine home spaces. The range is quite limited.

Sanderson Design Group – curates the absolute best wallpapers and murals from leading British designers such as Zoffany, Morris & Co, Harlequin, and Scion.

De Gournay – for very high end hand painted bespoke wallpapers and wall murals that will transform your walls into true pieces of artwork worthy of a collector’s attention.

Ananbô – this very high end French house has the most beautiful and unique panoramic wallpapers and wall murals I have so far come across. Prices are on application only.

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