Wall Murals vs. Wallpaper: How to Create the Ultimate Statement Wall

If you feel like your room is "missing something" even after you’ve painted the walls and bought new furniture, the answer usually isn't more decor - it's a focal point.

While standard wallpaper adds pattern and texture, Wall Murals wallpapers do something entirely different: they tell a story. Whether it’s a vintage landscape that adds depth to a small study or a modern mural wallpaper that turns a powder room into a jewel box, a mural creates an immersive experience that paint simply can’t match.

If you are ready to stop staring at blank walls and start seeing art, here is everything you need to know about choosing, measuring, and installing the perfect designer wall mural.

What is the Difference Between Wallpaper and a Wall Mural?

This is the most common question we get. While the terms are often used interchangeably, the distinction is crucial for your design plan. Standard wallpaper focuses on rhythm - a pattern that repeats every 24 to 48 inches. It creates texture and consistency.

Wall murals, conversely, focus on narrative. They are usually non-repetitive scenes or large-scale abstracts that span the entire width of the wall. When you install a mural, you aren't just covering a wall; you are creating a window into another world.

• Standard Wallpaper features a repeating pattern (like stripes, florals, or damask) that loops every few feet. It is designed to cover all four walls or a ceiling seamlessly.
• A Wall Mural is a single, large-scale image that spans the entire wall. It doesn’t repeat. Think of it as a massive piece of fine art that happens to be adhesive. Because it is one continuous scene - like wallpaper murals mountain scenes or oversized abstract art - it is almost always used as a Feature Wall.

The 3 Most Popular Mural Styles

Not sure which "vibe" is right for your space? Here are the top three categories currently trending in our Wallpaper Mural Collection:

1. The "Biophilic" Escape (Nature and Landscapes)

• The Look: Wallpaper murals nature themes like misty forests, tropical jungles, and serene ocean horizons.
• Why it works: These murals visually "push" the wall back, making small rooms feel significantly larger and airier. This style effectively mimics the look of a classic vintage landscape mural wallpaper but with a modern twist.
• Best for: Bedrooms, Home Offices, and Windowless Bathrooms.
• Top Pick: Foggy Palm Forest Wallpaper or Serene Mountain Forest

2. Abstract Luxury (Marble and Alcohol Ink)

• The Look: Fluid gold veins, swirling watercolors, and dramatic stone textures.
• Why it works: It creates the vibe of luxury mural wallpaper for living room spaces without the cost of real stone. It adds the look of expensive materials (like a slab of Italian marble) for a fraction of the cost and zero renovation dust.
• Best for: A wallpaper mural dining room accent, Living Room TV Walls, and Powder Rooms.
• Top Pick: Abstract Marble Wall Mural or Yellow Alcohol Ink Wall Mural.

3. Whimsical Storytelling (Kids and Nursery)

• The Look: Enchanted castles, watercolor woodland animals, and vintage maps.
• Why it works: It sparks imagination without cluttering the room with toys. Plus, our mural wallpaper peel and stick options mean you can swap it out as they grow.
• Best for: Nurseries, Playrooms, and Kids' Bedrooms.
• Top Pick: Enchanting Unicorn Princess Castle or Baby Deer Woodland

Choosing Your Material: Peel and Stick vs. Traditional Type II

A mural is a large image, which means print quality and material texture are non-negotiable. Many budget murals are printed on thin, shiny vinyl that glares under light and shows every bump in your drywall.

At EazzyWalls, we prioritize texture and durability (you can read more in our Wallpaper Materials Guide):

1. Peel and Stick Canvas: This is our renter-friendly bestseller. It has a real fabric texture (no plastic shine!) and uses a high-tack adhesive that stays put in humidity but removes cleanly when you move.

2. Traditional Type II Canvas: The "forever" choice. Thicker, commercial-grade, and requiring paste installation. Perfect for high-traffic hallways or permanent homes.

3. Faux Grasscloth: Want texture? This material is also commercial grade Type II and mimics woven grass fibers but is printable and moisture-resistant.
   

Installation Tips for a Flawless Finish

Unlike standard wallpaper rolls where you just buy "extra," murals need to fit your wall exactly.

• Measure Twice: Always measure the widest and tallest points of your wall.
• The Overlap: Our murals are printed with 1 inch overlap to ensure the image lines up perfectly, accounting for walls that aren't perfectly plumb (which, let’s be honest, is most walls). Most of professional installers use a double-cut technique, to have a perfect butt-end connection.
• The "Safety" Inches: We always recommend adding 2–3 inches to both your height and width when ordering. Walls are rarely perfectly square, and this buffer allows you to trim for a perfect fit without leaving a gap at the ceiling.

Need Full Customization? We Do That. We don't just stop at standard measurements.

1. Custom Dimensions: We can print any of our murals to fit your specific wall measurements perfectly - no more cutting off half the design!

2. Your Own Image: Have a high-quality photo or a unique design of your own? We can produce a custom mural wallpaper using your personal image.
   How to order: Simply send us a request using our Contact Us form, and we will review your image quality and get back to you with a personalized pricing quote.

Final Thoughts

A wall mural is the single most effective way to change the identity of a room without undergoing a full renovation. It bridges the gap between architecture and decoration, offering a custom look that feels expensive and curated.

Whether you are looking to create a serene sanctuary or a vibrant creative studio, the right mural sets the tone instantly.

Ready to transform your walls? Explore the EazzyWalls Mural Collection and discover the potential of your space.