How Much Do You Really Know About Murals?
In short: A mural is a painting on a wall that makes a space distinctive and striking. Murals are increasingly found in modern interiors, not just on building facades. In this guide, you’ll learn how to come up with an idea and choose colors, how to transfer a sketch to the wall, and what materials you’ll need (acrylic paints, brushes, foam rollers, and stencils), along with practical tips for a lasting, professional result.
You’ve probably mostly seen them outdoors. Murals are one way to bring plain building walls to life or share a public message through art for everyone to see. But they’re increasingly appearing in modern interiors, where the goal is to make a space distinctive and striking. More and more people are daring to design and paint part or all of a wall in their own home. Would you give it a try?
Where to start? With an idea...
If you’ve decided that your living room, bedroom, or home office needs some color on the wall, and you’re sure you don’t want a classic painting on canvas that you simply hang on the wall, wallpaper, or a decal, then it’s clear that you need a mural.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of tricks to make painting easier, and friends can always lend a hand. But be sure to set aside enough time for planning, because it’s the key to success here. First, think about the colors you want to include in your mural, and choose them to suit the room and its purpose. For bedroom murals, avoid loud colors and strong contrasts, and choose soothing warm shades. For a workspace, choose details in positive colors that will motivate you and your coworkers (orange, blue, green).
The motif doesn’t have to be anything complicated. Feel free to choose a symbol that’s meaningful to you, whether abstract shapes or geometry, a tree as a symbol of family, or simple interlocking shapes such as circles and squares. Look for inspiration online or in magazines, then adapt it to your taste. Try a designer’s trick: take a photo of your space, then use a computer program to add a sketch you’ve drawn on a small sheet of paper. This will help you check whether it fits and looks good.
Creating a Mural
So, the first task is to make a sketch on a small sheet of paper. Try to keep it to scale and the same shape as the wall, or the part of the wall, you plan to paint. Ideally, paint on a smooth surface that you’ve first coated with the mural’s dominant shade.
You can transfer the sketch to the wall by eye, drawing only the most important lines with a graphite pencil. Keep the lines light, since you’ll later need to erase any that aren’t covered with paint. You can also transfer the sketch with a projector, or draw a grid on the paper and the wall to help you copy the drawing more accurately.
Materials Needed
Paints — We recommend using acrylic paints. They’re easy to use, work well on this type of surface, and don’t change shade as they dry, as traditional wall paints often do. It can be a little harder to work out how much paint you’ll need, but we can’t help with that, since it depends on your sketch and whether you’re just drawing or filling in the whole area. The amount of paint you use also depends on the wall itself. If it has a rougher texture, you’ll need more paint than you would for a completely smooth wall.
Brushes and Sponges — Of course, choose large-area brushes so you don’t quickly lose patience and enthusiasm, and save the thinnest brushes for last. Foam rollers and foam brushes can also help speed things up, and you can use them to create special, subtle color transitions.
Stencils — A great aid for this kind of work. You can buy them or make your own if you need specific shapes. Use painter’s tape for precise lines and edges. The easiest way to apply paint through stencils is with a sponge, but also consider whether acrylic spray paints might be useful.
Tips for a Durable, Professional Mural:
- Protect floors and all furniture from paint splatters.
- Don’t start painting without a detailed sketch and plan, because you can’t wash acrylic paints off the wall. The only way to restore the wall to its original condition is to repaint it.
- Be careful not to apply thick layers of paint. When you repaint the wall a few years from now, the raised layers will still be visible, so you’ll have to sand them down or replaster the wall.
- Paint in layers to create depth and better coverage. Don’t rush. Spend several days on your work, or even weeks if needed.
- Protect your mural from cigarette smoke and kitchen fumes so you can enjoy it for as long as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paints are best for a mural?
Acrylic paints are recommended for murals. They’re easy to use, adhere well to walls, and don’t change shade as they dry. Acrylic spray paints are also useful for precise, subtle transitions. See our range of acrylic paints.
How do you transfer a sketch to the wall?
You can transfer the sketch by eye with a graphite pencil (using light lines), with a projector, or by drawing a grid on both the paper and the wall to make it easier to copy the drawing accurately. First, prepare a flat, smooth wall, ideally painted in the mural’s dominant color.
What materials do I need for a mural?
You’ll need: acrylic paint, large brushes and thinner brushes for details, foam rollers if you like, stencils, painter’s tape for precise edges, and covers to protect floors and furniture.
How can you make a mural last longer?
Paint in thin layers, building up the image gradually. Avoid thick layers that remain visible after painting, and protect the finished mural from cigarette smoke and kitchen fumes.
Can I paint a mural on my own, without any experience?
Yes, with a good plan and a detailed sketch. Planning is key: choose colors to suit the purpose of the room, make a good sketch to scale, and work patiently in layers. Stencils and painter’s tape make the work easier for beginners.
Read more from our blog
- What Is a Fresco?
- What Is Printmaking?
- The Most Famous Works by Pablo Picasso
- 7 European Cities That Inspire Artistic Creativity
Ready to Paint Your First Mural?
Come up with an idea, prepare a sketch, and transfer it to the wall, then let the result shine. With acrylic paints, the right brushes, and a little patience, your wall will become a work of art.
Ready to create?
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