How to Decorate Your Home With a Wallpaper Mural
As she pointed to the wall where she wanted the mural to hang, I nodded my head in agreement. Yes, it would look great there. That wall is easily seen when you enter the room. But… I wondered about the cost. I would need to purchase the wallpaper mural, PLUS, pay to have it professionally installed. Or would I?
Long-story-short, I ordered the six by eight foot mural from a company I found on the Internet. Then my brother Chris and I used our adventurous spirits, and we installed it on Mother’s living room wall in just one afternoon. Yes, it was as affordable and as painless as that.
You can find wallpaper murals in just about any color, design, and size that you want. Installing it isn’t really difficult. It is much like hanging wallpaper.
Before you hang a mural on a wall in your home, you should unroll the panels of the mural. Check to make sure all the pieces are present. Check also to make sure they are in good condition. Then, read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions in order to achieve the best results.
Basically, though, you need to start with a flat, clean wall. If there are dents or holes in the wall, you’ll need to fix them first. Try to select a wall that has no electrical outlets or light switches on it. (They are a bear to work with.) You should use a strong mixture of white vinegar and hot water to wash the wall with. This mixture will remove any dirt or grime. Then, rinse the area well with clean, cool, tap water.
The next step is to determine the exact place on the wall where you will start to hang the first panel of the wallpaper mural. Use a plumb bob and make a straight chalk line.
Find the first panel. This will be the piece that is farthest to the left and at the top of the scene. Roll it out on a flat surface and apply an even coat of glue across the entire back. Roll the panel up- inside out- and let the piece set undisturbed for several minutes.
Then, carefully apply the piece onto the wall. Position the left edge of the piece along the straight line you made with the plumb bob. Unroll it as you align it with the line. Use a finishing brush or a damp sponge to gently smooth the air pockets out of the panel. Make sure you press down on the outer edges. This will help the glue on the back of the piece adhere to the wall.
The second panel will hang below the first one. Usually, there is a quarter of an inch or so of overlap on each panel. You’ll need to use this space to align the pieces together.
Repeat the above process over again with each new panel of the wallpaper mural.
Once you have the entire picture hung up, use a soft, damp cloth to carefully wipe over the entire mural. This step will help to press the glue down. Plus, it will remove any excess glue that has seeped out from underneath.
The final step is to allow your new wallpaper mural to dry completely. Once it’s dried, check the seams to make sure they are all glued down securely. If not, use some additional glue to stick any loose places down.
And, you’re done with this project!
