Move over, wallpaper. When it comes to making a big bold, flat-surface statement, wall murals are where it's at. Larger-then-life works of art are popping up everywhere in interiors, from hotel lobbies to feature walls in some of the most stylish homes.
Not to be confused with wallpaper, a wall mural is a single image that covers your wall. Rather than a repeat pattern, it's a singular scene that stretches across a determined width. Wallpaper, on the other hand, can be repeated ad infinitum.
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Think of a wall mural as a rather spectacular, show-stopping and arresting artwork. With an increasing appetite for murals, there's now a great range of designs available. From oversized versions of famous artworks to photorealistic prints, and from botanical beauties to abstract or geometrical designs, large-scale wall murals instantlytransform your walls into something to marvel at.
Offering bucket loads more interest than a simple lick of paint, wall murals have big, big impact – a wall muralshould really be the focal point, with other details chosen to complement it.
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Here are some of our favourite murals out there right now.
AL FRESCO
Take any image and blow it up to fill the space from skirting board to ceiling and suddenly you have walls with serious wow-factor. Surface View is a dab hand at this, and its latest edit, Greenhouse, sees historical botanical drawings from archives at the Royal Horticultural Society, New York Botanical Garden and the V&A given new life as dramatic wall panels.
For 18th-century high drama, go for Ludwig Czerny’s Winter Garden Antoine Mural (above).
ARTISTIC TRIUMPH
Expert craftsmanship and high quality are the foundationsof French furnishing house Pierre Frey.
So when the brand described its latest collection of panoramic wall panels as ‘windows that open on to imaginary, dreamlike worlds’, we knew this was not a line to be sniffed at.
Enter Galerie, a range of 13 wallcoverings dreamt up by collaborations with some of the company’s favourite artists. Each references ancient frescos and landscape paintings.
We’re partial to Cédric Peltier’s rendition of tropical plants, banana trees and birdsof paradise on La Serre, below, which promises to turn any interior space into a lush greenhouse.
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ACCENT WALLS THAT WOW
Browse designs at Meystyle and you’ll find wallpapers that are light installations and works of art all at once. How so? Each roll is handmade with LED lights that are fully integrated into its silk, linen or cotton surface. And as for the power supply, you’ll need just one socket or light switch to get the show going. Line walls with Aurum (pictured) from the newly launched Conductivity collection and enjoy a spot of stargazing from the comfort of your sofa. Stellar!
MISE-EN-SCENE
No one does prettier-than-pretty better than Designers Guild and its spring collections never disappoint. New line Giardino Segreto explores the relationship between Impressionist artists and their gardens, realised in scenes of secret gardens and blooming fauna in delicate, painterly marks. Set your own scene with its dreamy statement wall panels.
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WINTER GARDEN
The Winter Garden collection at Surface View depicts beautifully drawn botanical scenes by Ludwig Czerny.
Of course, you could choose to have the design printed as a mural or wall hanging, or even have the design printed onto tiles, blinds or canvas, but we think this illustration lends itself best as a large scale wall scene.
Whether for thebedroom, bathroom, cloakroom, living room,home office, dining room,children's room or playroom, in the hall and along the staircase, or even dressing room, the detailed drawings add a boost of fun and colour, and create a relaxed and almost whimsical atmosphere.
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SUBTLE BOTANICALS
You may have already spotted Sandberg's horitulctural-inspiredlatestcollection, but it has plenty more botanical papers up their sleeve. The Faded Passion Wallpaper mural is a soft and unobtrusive design – perfect for those wanting to dip a toe in the wall mural trend. Rather than displaying a scene, the design is a faded painterly pattern of wild flowers and leaves.
SUPERSIZED
Graham & Brown'sVenetian Dark Floral Mural breathes new life into granny florals by super-sizing chintzy florals and contrasting the powder pink petals against a dramatic dark background. We think it would make a particularly lovely feature wall in a dark bedroom.
For something more subtle, the Library wall mural is amodern take on a classic interior feature using a simple white colour palette and cleverly detailing light shadow. Calm and minimal, it would suit both Modern Rustic and Scandi Cool interior schemes.
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RUSTIC GARDEN
Rebel Wall's nature-inspired designs range from swishing palm leaves to dainty florals, and from forest scenes to watercolour wild flowers. Our favourite? The rustic and faded moss-covered patinated panels design.
In a similar style, the Bellewood designoffers a statement wall in a calm, neutral palette.
Meanwhile, the Jungle Land Vintage print depicts a detailed ancient scene in faded colour.
For something more contemporary, the Climbing Clorfyltrellisoffers a punch of vibrant green against a stark white background and clean, black lines. It would look striking in modern homes and would complement monochrome schemes and Crittall-style windows.
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MODERN TROPICS
New to Casamance, its tropical-inspired motifs feature painted wild and exotic plants and flowers, blown up to XL proportions.
The tropical wall panels are the perfect summery feature for year-round sunny vibes.
Standing out from the rest is the photorealistic floral print of supersized bouquets contrasted against a dark background.
