54 Wall Mural Ideas to Personalize Your Home
Design an accent wall that's uniquely you with the help of these inspiring wall mural projects
Are you dreaming of a way to make your home’s interior stand out? An empty wall presents the perfect opportunity to add a pop of color to your space. Sure, you could hang art or photos, but an even more unique way to make a statement is to create a wall mural.
There are endless possibilities for incorporating a wall mural into your home decor. Whatever you choose, it will undoubtedly become the eye-catching focal point of the room.
To help inspire you to get creative with your interior paint or wallpaper, we’ve compiled a list of 54 wall mural ideas for different rooms. Then, we’ll discuss things to consider when creating your mural and when to DIY versus hire a pro.
Wall Mural Ideas for the Bedroom
As a space that’s all your own, a bedroom can be the perfect place for a wall mural. In your bedroom, you have the freedom to design either a fun personality piece or a relaxing scene. Walls in kids’ rooms and nurseries also make great canvases for cute and whimsical backdrops. We’ll go through a list of DIY wall mural ideas for bedrooms below.
1. Rainbows
Paint colorful stripes or a sweeping rainbow arch across the room to capture the feeling of childlike whimsy.
2. Clouds and Sky
A simple, open sky speckled with drifting clouds makes a splendid wall mural for daydreamers. A sponge can help create the fluffy cloud effect.
3. Mountains
Layered triangles can help adventurous spirits paint a vast mountain range on a bedroom wall. Create your triangles with painter’s tape and fill in the shapes with your desired colors.
4. Animals
Friendly woodland creatures like deer, frogs, and squirrels are perfect for your little one’s nursery. Animals can reduce our stress levels and make for calming scenes.
5. Faux Concrete
Wallpaper with the look of weathered concrete can introduce some subtle texture to your bedroom. A range of other textured furniture will pair well with this type of mural.
6. Birds
Birds in flight evoke feelings of freedom, hope, and peace, so painting them on your bedroom walls will be sure to lift your spirits.
7. Constellations
Map the stars without having to leave your bed—with a star mural, you can even make up constellations of your own.
8. Music
Have a favorite song or musical motif? Paint the notes on your wall to remind yourself of the tune day and night. Let the notes dance around by themselves or include the staff lines.
9. Abstract Shapes
Turn your bedroom into a modern work of art with a large array of colorful, abstract shapes and lines. Make sure to decide on a color scheme that complements the rest of your space.
10. Beach
Wouldn’t you rather be on vacation? Bring the beach to you with a mural depicting palm trees, clear water, and warm sunshine.
11. Ombre
Design a soothing wash of your favorite colors with a wall that fades from one hue to the next. Not only is ombre visually pleasing, but it also has a calming effect.
12. Polka Dots
For some lighthearted fun, spruce up a blank wall with mood-boosting polka dots. Either choose your favorite colors or stick with a more mature black-and-white palette.
13. Cursive Handwriting
Ideal for the literature lover, you can use a small brush to bring sentences or paragraphs from the pages of your favorite book to your bedroom wall.
14. Sports Scenes
Sports fans and athletes alike can channel the energy of a big game in their home by creating a mural inspired by their favorite sport. Recreate the look of the field or take inspiration from pieces of sports gear.
15. Colorful Arches
Painting pastel arches will give your bedroom a whimsical feeling, as if it is full of colorful portals to another world.
16. Castle
Bring a fairytale setting to life for your kids by painting a castle fit for a prince or princess. A castle mural can serve as an exciting backdrop for children’s games of all kinds.
17. Stripes
A classic wall mural option, stripes are great for their versatility. Choose a simple color scheme for straightforward vertical or horizontal stripes, or go diagonal for a more eccentric look.
18. Vehicles
For anyone with an interest in cars, ships, planes, or trains, a transportation scene or pattern can make the perfect accent wall.
19. Roses
Rose petals are gentle symbols of love and growth. If you adore roses, consider a wall mural with close-up details of a large rose or two.
20. Inspirational Quotes
Need some extra motivation in the mornings? Paint a decorative quote from a role model on your bedroom wall, where it will encourage you to tackle each day with all you’ve got.
21. Vintage Wallpaper
Faded florals and pastel patterns can make us all wistful for an older era. To give vintage wallpaper a modern-day twist, pair with clean lines and bright colors in your other decor.
22. Silhouettes
If color isn’t your thing, consider minimal and sophisticated silhouettes of birds, nature, or buildings. Typically, silhouettes are filled in with black, but you can also get creative with other colors.
23. Sunset
What could make a bedroom more relaxing than a sunset wall with a soft, warm-toned palette? Getting in bed right next to the setting sun will help you relax and reflect on the day.
24. Waves
Waves are often symbols for change and can make interesting wall additions. With a combination of different blues and wavy designs, you’ll fall asleep imagining the soothing crash of a distant sea.
25. Sprinkles
Small, colorful lines are easy to paint and can decorate your bedroom or nursery with fun sprinkles. With a confetti-like feel, this pattern will make the room feel like a constant celebration.
26. Children’s Story Characters
If your kids have a favorite storybook or cartoon character they just can’t get enough of, why not paint them into a cute scene on their walls?
27. Cacti
A pattern of your favorite plant, such as a cactus or succulent, can bring a simple yet uplifting addition to your bedroom. Tie the decor together by incorporating greenery elsewhere in the room.
28. Watercolor
Watering down your paint can help create a semi-transparent, watery feel in your wall art colors. This soft and soothing mural is perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom.
Wall Mural Ideas for the Living Room
A wall mural in your living room can create a truly unique statement wall for guests to enjoy. Jewel-toned wallpaper is in style, but you can’t go wrong with any design that matches and enhances your furniture and decor. The living room wall is a great choice for patterns or interesting landscape scenes.
29. Geometric Lines
For a modern feel, section out your living room wall with impeccably straight lines in any accent color. Geometric lines promote a feeling of order and neatness.
30. Terrazzo
Terrazzo is a floor material that features chips of glass, granite, marble, and other colorful materials. If you love the look of this mosaic-like tile, consider a wall mural with a terrazzo-inspired pattern.
31. Famous Paintings
Have a favorite Picasso or Van Gogh? Turn a painting into a breathtaking accent wall by recreating it in your living room.
32. Map
Transport your living room anywhere in the world with a bird’s eye view of your favorite city or a map of the world. You can even mark places on the map where you’ve visited.
33. Marble
A beautiful, marbled wallpaper can help elevate any space with a refined aura. This natural stone look pairs well with a chic and luxurious room.
34. Street Art Inspired
If you’re drawn to the bold edge of street art, pair a street art-inspired mural with other strong color choices in your home.
35. Faux Wood
A wall mural painted to look like wood can be an ideal fit for those who crave a rustic feel. A faux wood wall can turn a room into a cozy, cabin-like space.
36. Geode
A living room wall featuring the crystalline interior of a geode is sure to stand out while still complementing your modern decor.
37. Famous Buildings
Embrace your wanderlust by painting the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building on a wall of your travel-themed room. Add in the minute details on each building or fill it in to create a tall silhouette.
38. Faux Brick
A convincing brick mural works best alongside industrial decor such as metal and pendant lights with exposed bulbs. This faux brick look will remind you of a trendy, big-city apartment.
39. Art Deco Patterns
With bold patterns that are often depicted with gold lines against a dark background, an art deco-inspired wall can instantly create a nostalgic, sophisticated mood.
40. Vines
With a mural of vines hanging over your walls, you’ll capture the enchanted atmosphere of a garden or jungle. Vines make for dynamic murals with lots of movement.
41. Florals
Florals are a classic wall mural option, and floral wallpaper is back in style. Choose your favorite flower and surround yourself with a garden of colorful petals.
42. Industrial Scene
Illustrations of turning cogs and complex pipes can come together to create a fun, steampunk atmosphere. This type of wall mural is perfect for anyone with a fascination with machinery.
43. Landscape
Rolling hills and distant cities can make great scenes to get lost in. Choose a landscape you could stare at forever and recreate its magic on your wall.
44. Cityscape
If you feel most alive in the city, choose a mural depicting a photo of towering buildings and bustling streets. With a cityscape wall, the excitement of a busy metropolis will never die down.
45. Paint Splatters and Dots
To embrace your creative spirit, have fun making splatters, dots, and drips on a wall you want to pop with color and personality. Paint splatters can also make great murals in an art studio or children’s playroom.
46. Pop Art
Comic book fans and art history lovers alike will delight in a wall mural inspired by Andy Warhol or other pop art imagery.
47. Hexagons
Paint hexagons on your wall, either outlined or filled in, to create a pleasing honeycomb pattern. Hexagons create a structured and clean design.
48. Black and White Photography
A wall mural made up of an enlarged, black and white photograph can transform a room with an artistic and worldly sense of character.
49. Retro
Retro designs, like ‘70s waves, will establish a nostalgic feel in your interior design. Far from being old-fashioned, colorful waves can also add a much-needed boost of youthful energy.
Wall Mural Ideas for the Kitchen
Even though the kitchen might have less free wall space, a small mural can help make your cooking space come alive. A mural that isn’t too busy and is pleasing to the eye can truly elevate your kitchen’s design.
50. Trees and Forests
Introduce the mood-boosting effects of nature to your space by surrounding your kitchen with beautiful images of trees and foliage.
51. Food and Ingredients
Thematically perfect for the kitchen, a mural depicting stylized food or common baking ingredients will motivate you to concoct delicious creations.
52. Herbs
A mural decorated with fresh herbs and vegetables can show off your love and knowledge of cooking as well as gardening.
53. Herringbone
A herringbone pattern with a minimal palette of gray and white is the perfect way to add visual interest to your kitchen while still complementing your existing colors.
54. Chalkboard Wall
Covering a wall in chalkboard paint creates an ever-changing, interactive wall mural that provides entertainment for the whole family. Draw on the wall in your free time, or use the space to write down a recipe or weekly schedule.
Wallpaper vs. Paint Wall Murals
You can create a mural in your home using wallpaper or paint. When applied properly, both can result in stunning designs. For a more artistic look, paint is the go-to, but wallpaper is the ideal choice for patterns and detailed photographs. When it comes time to choose which option is best for you, here are some pros and cons to consider.
Wallpaper Murals
Pros: Many pattern options, can customize with your own photos, great for trying out the latest trends
Cons: Should not be exposed to high heat or moisture, can be tricky to install yourself, high-quality wallpaper murals can be pricey, difficult to fix if damaged
Paint Murals
Pros: Paint is usually more affordable, can choose a finish type (high gloss to matte)
Cons: Must prime and seal the wall, harder to hide imperfections on the wall
When to DIY and When to Hire a Pro
If you’re excited to get started on your wall mural, it’s time to think about whether you want to tackle the project on your own or hire a professional to help you bring your vision to life.
The prep required before putting up a wall mural can be quite involved depending on your wall. For both wallpaper murals and painted murals, you’ll need to clean the wall beforehand.
Remove old wallpaper and address any damage, such as holes and bumps. If you’re installing a wallpaper mural, it’s a good idea to coat the wall with fresh paint a few days before. If you’re painting your wall mural, you’ll want a solid base coat to work on top of.
If you want to try your hand at painting or installing a mural, you can DIY all or parts of the project. However, if you have a damaged or complicated wall that needs a lot of prep work, a professional wallpaper installer or mural painter can help you create a clean and flawless look.
Similarly, if you’re confident in your wallpaper installation abilities, go for it! If you think you might need help to avoid bubbles, tears, and crookedness, a pro can help you get it right the first time.
To enlist the help of a professional to bring your artistic vision to life, search for an interior painter or wallpaper company near you.