Mural vs. Patterned Wallpaper – Which is the Better Choice for Your Project?
Wall murals recently become a design trend, but in fact they’ve been around for thousands of years. One of the earliest forms of art, a mural is graphic artwork that is applied directly to a wall. Based on that definition, the Lascaux Grottoes in southern France are murals that are 17,000 years old. Wallpaper, on the other hand, is a comparatively new invention, dating back to the 16th century.
Are you thinking of a wallpaper or mural for a wall or ceiling? We can help you decide which one, because we’re the pros! Bijou Wallcoverings specializes in custom wallcovering. That means you can create your own design for the project you are working on, whether it’s a restaurant, retail store, hotel or high-end home.
In this article, we explain the difference between murals and wallpaper, and which one is right for your project.
The Difference Between Murals and Wallpaper
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is defined as material used to decorate the interior walls or ceilings of residential and public publics. The earliest wallpapers were used in the United States to decorate small rooms and the insides of cupboards. By the 20th century, wallpaper had become so popular, it could be seen everywhere, from bathrooms and kitchens to bedrooms and living rooms.
These days, wallpaper is produced in long rolls which are hung vertically on a wall. Here in the U.S., a “single” roll of wallpaper is typically 21” wide and 16.5’ long, whereas a “double” roll measures 21” x 33,’ but custom wallpaper sizes are available as well.
According to Wallcoverings Association, all wallpapers, except for some textured ones, have a repeat pattern, which is an integral part of its design. It is the vertical distance between any point on the pattern to the identical point directly above or below it. Hanging wallpaper vertically allow spieces that are cut from the same roll to be hung side-by-side without a visible seam or join mark.
Mural
A wall mural is created with digital print using high-end printers. It can be made with photographs, illustrations or other artwork. Unlike wallpaper, it can be produced to meet the exact size requirements for a room of any size. Because murals are printed in panels, they can be much wider than wallpaper. As a result, the digital images on murals are typically larger than wallpaper patterns and do not have a repeat. They tend to show one large image or pattern designed for a specific space. That means that a mural can be an original work of art!
And by the way, no one’s stopping you from using both wallpaper and a mural in the same room.
The Advantages of Wallpaper and Murals
Both wallpaper and murals are wonderful options for giving a room an update or injecting some personality to your décor scheme. They both create visual interest by providing a sense of depth and texture, and by adding color to an interior space.
Reasons to Use Wallpaper
There are many advantages to using wallpaper for a particular room. If you plan to cover all four walls, it is a better choice than a mural, especially one with a very large pattern, which can easily be overwhelming.
Here are some other reasons to consider wallpaper for your project. Wallpaper is…
Quick and efficient
Good for a room refresh
Excellent permanent solution
Provides a design that will look good for many years
Has a smaller scale pattern than is not as overwhelming as large scale
Easier to use for entire space
Is compatible with adding smaller details and accessories to your room decor
Creates symmetrical look and uniform appearance
Reasons to Use a Mural
Murals are typically used on one wall only to make a statement. A mural makes a wonderful stand-alone feature, giving you the opportunity to create artwork for your space. A mural…
Is unique and varied
Is a good temporary solution and can easily be removed
Can create the illusion of space and height, making a room appear larger
Works well when furniture and accessories are kept to a minimum (too many elements competing for attention can make your space will look chaotic)
Can have huge impact on a room, creating visual engagement
Offers high-quality details
Adds depth and illusion that can trick perception
Can create an accent wall
Can add excitement and pizzazz to an otherwise nondescript space
Bijou specializes in custom wall covering, whether it’s a mural or wallpaper. If you want to go big and make a design statement with a one-of-a-kind design, or to customize a patterned wallpaper to use on all four walls of your space, give us a call at 516-469-3060 or email us at sales@bijoucoverings.com to contact one of our specialists.
