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| Photo credit: DreamyWall on Etsy.com |
Because it's so easy to get wrong, I thought I would share with you the tips I've learnt from the best mural designs I've seen.
Choose an atmosphere
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| Photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com |
There are some beautiful landscape wallpapers that can transport your room into a different world, or colourful murals for a lively summer atmosphere. Decide what you're trying to achieve before you start looking. The example above is very misty and enigmatic, while the one below is much brighter. By using an ombre pattern rather than a photograph the room is given a fresh, modern feel. You can also paint ombre designs if you hate the idea of hanging wallpaper.
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| Photo credit: pixersize.com |
Stay simple
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| Photo credit: muralswallpaper.co.uk |
Don't try to do too much with the rest of the room. By using an image on a feature wall you automatically draw all attention to that wall, and if you try to add accent furniture then too many items will jostle for attention. Instead, try a stripped down, neutral scheme with simple pieces of furniture. When choosing soft furnishings, complement the tones of the wallpaper if you're looking for a relaxed atmosphere, or contrast for a brighter feel. The image above uses furniture which echoes the muted colours of the wall or remains neutral in tone, which is why it is so successful. It also places the key items of furniture against the wall, grouping the visual interest into one area of the space and using the focus of the wall to draw you towards the sofa and the lamp.
Avoid your holiday snaps
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| Photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com |
In my friendship and family circle there are some great photographers. But I would never recommend their photographs for use as wallpaper, for one simple reason. They weren't designed for that purpose. An amateur photographer is unlikely to have the equipment needed to take a photograph of high enough resolution to blow up and put on an entire wall. You'd also have to send the photograph out to specialist printers, and in doing that you can't check the way the colours print. You could end up with something washed out, or just completely the wrong tone. To avoid disappointment, go for a wallpaper that you can check over first. The example above is very blurry, which I am not a fan of.
Don't pretend
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| Photo credit: lushome.com |
Is there really a path that leads out of the back wall of your living room? I thought not. While photographs that draw the eye in usually add interest, they are not going to make your room look bigger, and they will mess with the perspective of the room if you're not looking at them from exactly the right angle. Instead, choose an image that was taken straight on.
Restrict the amount you use
Don't try to paper the entire room in forest - it won't make you feel like you're in the forest, it will just feel overboard. Try sticking to one wall to draw the attention. In the image above, the photograph is confined to the space between two columns, which demarcates a very natural area to fill.
If you give this a go, why not post a photo in the comments!
Restrict the amount you use
 |
| Photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com |
Don't try to paper the entire room in forest - it won't make you feel like you're in the forest, it will just feel overboard. Try sticking to one wall to draw the attention. In the image above, the photograph is confined to the space between two columns, which demarcates a very natural area to fill.
If you give this a go, why not post a photo in the comments!
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