Wall art is a simple yet powerful way to elevate any space and add your own personal touch. Two popular options for this are wallpaper and wall murals—terms that are often used interchangeably. However, while both can completely transform a room, they each have some unique features that set them apart. In this article, we’ll explore wallpaper vs wall murals to help you decide which is the perfect fit for your space!
What is a Wall Mural?
A wall mural is a large-scale, printed design that covers an entire wall, creating a bold and striking look. Murals typically feature a single image or design, spanning a variety of styles from floral and modern to boho and Scandinavian. Serving as a contemporary alternative to traditional wallpaper, murals are often used to create a focal point or transform a room’s atmosphere, adding personality and flair to any space.
What is Wallpaper?
Traditional wallpaper is usually sold in rolls and applied to walls with wallpaper paste. With a rich history dating back to the 16th century, it has long been a classic choice for interior decoration. Over the years however, wallpaper has evolved significantly, with modern technology enhancing its designs and durability. Today, it offers a wide range of stylish prints and high-quality, long-lasting materials that make it a great option for all interiors.
Wallpaper vs Wall Murals: The Key Differences
Murals as a Feature Wall
Wall murals often feature a single, eye-catching design— like a cityscape, beach scene, or world map—making them a popular choice for feature walls. They are designed to draw attention and make one wall into the focal point of a room.
While wallpaper, on the other hand, is usually applied across multiple walls. However, this doesn’t mean murals have to be limited to just one wall! They can also be extended across several walls, creating a bold statement that will tie a space together.
Customisable Mural Designs
Wall murals are custom-made to perfectly fit the dimensions of a room, offering an easy and personalised design. Whereas traditional wallpaper is typically mass-produced and generally features smaller patterns, making it a versatile yet less tailored option.
This distinction allows wallpaper murals to serve as a bold centrepiece, while wallpaper often complements the overall decor by covering multiple walls with uniformity.
Differing Materials
Murals come in a variety of specialised materials, such as peel-and-stick or paste-the-wall options, offering convenience and ease of installation. These materials allow for a smooth application and removal, making them ideal for temporary or changing decor.
Traditional wallpaper is typically made from vinyl, a durable, long-lasting material designed for more permanent installations. While permanent vinyl wallpaper provides a classic look, murals offer greater flexibility and creative potential for personalising your space.
Sold by the Roll vs Sold by the Panel
Traditional wallpaper is sold in rolls, while murals are often sold in panels. At WallpaperMural, we offer custom wallpaper murals in pre-matched panels tailored to your specific dimensions. Our bespoke printing process allows us to create full-wall murals without repeating patterns or with very large-scale designs. This approach not only provides a neat and unique look, but is also much more eco-friendly, reducing waste in the process!
Patterns and Designs
Traditional wallpaper typically features smaller, repeating patterns that create a consistent and subtle visual texture across a space. In contrast, wall murals often showcase larger, more intricate, and expansive designs.
The Application Process
Another difference of wall murals vs wallpaper is the application process. With traditional wallpaper, you usually need to cut the paper to fit your room, which can be quite tricky and time-consuming!
However, a mural involves working with pre-measured panels that are tailored to fit your space, making the installation process much simpler and more precise. For more information on the application process, take a look at our blog on how to apply wallpaper on different surfaces.
Wallpaper vs Wall Murals: Final Thoughts
We’ve explored the differences between wallpaper and wall murals, highlighting what makes each unique. Both options are ideal for enhancing your interiors, offering a stylish and impactful way to completely transform any space with character and charm!
Shop Collections at WallpaperMural
At WallpaperMural, we’ve got an incredible collection of wallpaper murals in a variety of styles and colours to suit every taste! Whether you’re sprucing up an office, dining room, bedroom, or nursery, our murals are perfect for any interior space.
Take your pick from a range of options, including traditional wallpaper, removable designs, heavy-grade finishes, and even removable vinyl—whatever works best for you and your walls!
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