Wallpaper is a quick and convenient way to decorate a wall, especially if you want to make all your walls look consistent. A mural, however, is a more unique, attractive wall feature that can draw the eye to a specific area. Usually, this area is a single wall. Murals can brighten a room, add contrast to an environment, or make a statement. In addition, they can also tell stories that turn even the dullest and least appealing wall into an art piece. 

Murals don’t require you to drill holes in the wall, making it easy to set up even if you are renting your location. Best of all, you can customize a mural to fit your room, so you can decide on a mural that perfectly fits your business. If you are looking to improve the visual appeal of your business and employee satisfaction simultaneously, investing in a mural is a great way to do so.

Roadrunner Wraps can help you settle on a fabulous mural design for your residence or workplace. We have years of experience providing quality Washington DC wall murals. If you aren’t sure a mural is right for you, consider colored or textured wallpaper to update the look of your room. Additionally, if you live in Maryland, our wallpaper services can freshen up the appearance of your home. We provide custom-made wallpaper and mural designs unique to each of our customers. Here are the secrets behind wall murals and how they’re made.

Choosing the Wall Mural Location

Before you settle on a design, choose the location for your mural. You should set your mural in a place your visitors can easily admire. Wall murals make an excellent wall decoration without blocking wall sockets or taking up space with shelves. Finalizing the location of your mural is perhaps the most essential step in the process.

Choose a smooth wall without many lumps, dents, or defects for best results. If possible, avoid walls with outlets, switches, or wall hooks. This will make it simple to add any mural or custom-made wallpaper to the wall surface.

Private Residence Murals

If this is a residential home mural, you may want to consider displaying it in your kitchen or living room. These are the locations that guests are more likely to see, so you can all enjoy the results.

Workplace Murals

If you are planning a mural for your company, you may want one in your private office, conference room, or long hallways. If customers visit your building in person, consider showcasing a mural in your lobby.

A hotel lobby is an excellent place for a large mural because your guests are sure to pass by it and feel like they are in a luxurious building.

You can also set up a mural on your shopfront if you run a retail business. This can attract customer attention and encourage them to visit your store. There are many different mural designs and materials, so consider them carefully before deciding which one is right for you.

Custom-Made Wallpaper

Is a mural the best fit for your space? If your favorite wall seems like it will be difficult to add a vinyl mural directly, consider opting for custom-made wallpaper instead. Custom-made wallpaper can be designed and sold by the square foot, and professional installers can help you apply it carefully around any switches, sockets, or shelves in the room.

One commonly stated downside of wallpaper is that it may not always line up perfectly when applying multiple rolls to your space. This can be a source of frustration in the long term. It’s worth noting that usually, wallpaper doesn’t line up because an inexperienced person applied it. Professional Maryland wallpaper installers can help.

If you are interested in a tile design pattern, working with experienced wallpaper designers is a good idea. The professionals can help you design your wallpaper to allow a repeating pattern to look natural on your wall. It’s unfortunately easy to make mistakes and end up with an ugly pattern, so if you wish to save time and money, working with professional designers is a good decision.

Wall Mural Materials

If you are confident that a wall mural is right for you, keep reading for more information on how they are made. You can design wall murals with various materials, including:

Polyester

Outdoor murals frequently use polyester, which can withstand the effects of weather better than some materials.

Canvas

Canvas can give a wall mural a fabric texture. Canvas is usually made of a polyester and cotton blend.

Photo Paper

Photo paper is an excellent choice when you want to print a pattern or photograph for indoor murals.

Paint

You can paint a mural directly on a wall, but this process can be time-consuming. Because paint fumes can be harmful, a painted mural may not be the right choice for an indoor office if you need to use that space for working.

Vinyl

You can also use vinyl to create vinyl murals. Cast vinyl and calendared vinyl are two standard options. Calendared vinyl is thicker, sturdier, and more appropriate for large walls. Cast vinyl can wrap more easily around columns or corners because the material is thinner than calendared vinyl.

The materials for printing a high-quality mural are usually large and expensive. The average person does not have the correct printer in their home, so consider calling a professional Maryland wallpaper service to help you apply your wallpaper or vinyl murals.

Planning a Design

Preparing a mural is tough. You must make many decisions about the size and the material. Once you select the location of your mural, measure the area carefully. You may want to sketch on the wall with a light red pencil or use paper and tape to plan your design. Check for any cracks, dents, or even points on your wall. These blemishes could impact the look of your mural.

If you plan to display this mural in your office’s conference room or public area, seek design recommendations from your employees. Allowing everyone to feel they’ve contributed to the design can engage your employees.

Consider Negative Space

You don’t need to cover the whole wall with custom-made wallpaper or a wall mural. Consider the importance of negative space in your design. If the room is full of busy design elements, it can strain the eye, distract the brain, and make visitors uncomfortable. Think carefully about your mural design before you commit to it.

  • If you are designing a mural for your home or office, consider designs that depict peaceful scenery, such as landscapes.
  • If you are designing a mural for your business, incorporate the colors of your logo. Create a mural that can inform potential customers about the goods and services you offer.
  • Choose bright colors when designing a mural to make an empowering statement. Bold colors and large text will draw the eye to your mural. Combine this with powerful imagery, such as highly defined faces and muscular arms.

Applying a Design

Once you are ready to add your mural to the wall, wipe down the surface to remove any stray dirt particles. Cleaning the surface is especially important if you add paint or vinyl to the wall (instead of a canvas print). You want to ensure the vinyl will stick directly to the wall and that dirt won’t interfere with the adhesive. Use levels and pencils to mark where you want your design to be.

If you have a vinyl design, apply it carefully to avoid air bubbles or wrinkles. Work your way through the vinyl carefully. Pull up small areas of the design if needed and then press them back against the wall. We recommend starting at the top corner of the wall and peeling the vinyl a little at a time. Doing so will make applying a large design to your wall easier. If you are unsure about adding a vinyl mural to the wall on your own, ask a professional to help. You’ll receive a beautiful mural that can last you for years.

As you apply your vinyl mural to the wall, step back several times during the process to confirm it looks the way you want it to. Once you are confident that your design is final, you can enjoy your new mural.

Roadrunner Wraps is a Maryland wallpaper company that provides Washington DC wall murals and custom-made wallpaper designs. Contact us today to ask for a quote about our services.