Installation
How to Hang a Wall Mural: The Complete Guide
Numbered panels, one vertical line and an afternoon. The full method for hanging a made to measure mural, whichever paper you chose.
The short version
- A made to measure mural arrives as numbered panels, 30 in (76 cm) wide, rolled in hanging order.
- You always hang from left to right, edge to edge, never overlapping.
- The first panel decides everything. Hang it against a true vertical line, not against the corner of the room.
- The method changes with the paper: paste the wall, add water, or peel and stick.
Hanging a wall mural looks like a job for a professional. It is not. A mural printed to the size of your wall is easier to hang than ordinary wallpaper, because there is no pattern repeat to match and no roll to cut. Each panel has one place to go. If you can use a spirit level and a sharp knife, you can do this in an afternoon.
What makes a mural different from wallpaper
Classic wallpaper comes in identical rolls. You cut each length yourself and slide it up and down until the pattern lines up with its neighbour, which is where most of the waste and most of the swearing comes from.
A mural is one single image, split into vertical panels. Ours are 30 in (76 cm) wide and numbered. Panel one goes on the left, panel two sits against it, and so on until the wall is covered. Nothing to match, nothing to calculate on the day.
What you will need
The basics are the same for every paper: a tape measure, a pencil, a spirit level, a utility knife with fresh blades, a smoothing tool and a clean damp sponge. A step ladder helps. Then, depending on your paper:
| Paper | How it sticks | You also need |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Pasted | You paste the wall | Wallpaper paste, a paste brush or roller |
| Pre-Pasted | Water activates the adhesive on the back | A water tray, or a sponge |
| Peel & Stick | Self adhesive backing | A squeegee, nothing else |
Step 1: prepare the wall
A mural is only as good as the wall under it. The surface should be smooth, dry and clean. Remove old wallpaper and flaking paint, fill and sand any holes, then wipe the wall down and let it dry.
Freshly painted? Give the paint three to four weeks to cure before you hang anything on it. Paint that feels dry to the touch is often still releasing moisture underneath.
Step 2: draw your vertical line
This is the step people skip, and the one that matters most. Corners are almost never straight. If you line the first panel up with the corner, every panel after it inherits the lean, and by the far side of the wall the image is visibly tilted.
Instead, measure one panel width in from the left edge of the wall, hold your spirit level there and draw a light pencil line from top to bottom. That line, not the corner, is what panel one follows.
Step 3: check and lay out the panels
Unroll your panels and check that they are all there and undamaged. Lay them out in order. It takes two minutes and it saves you from discovering a problem when panel three is already on the wall.
Step 4: hang panel one
Non-Pasted
Apply paste evenly to the wall, covering the area of the first panel with no dry spots. Hang the panel against your vertical line, then smooth from the centre outward to push out the air.
Pre-Pasted
Lightly activate the back of the panel with water using a roller or a sponge. Let it rest for the time noted on the panel so the adhesive develops, then hang it against your line and smooth from the centre out.
Peel & Stick
Peel the backing a few inches from the top and align the panel to the line. Press down and squeegee as you slowly peel the rest, working from top to bottom. It stays repositionable for up to 24 hours, so you can lift and adjust.
Step 5: carry on, edge to edge
Hang each following panel tight against the previous one. The edges should touch, never overlap. Smooth each panel, roll the seams, and wipe away any paste at once with a damp sponge before it dries.
Take your time on panel one. Every panel after it is faster, because it simply follows its neighbour.
Step 6: trim and finish
Once the panels are up, trim the excess along the skirting board, the ceiling and around any frames. Hold a wide straight edge against the wall and cut with a sharp blade. Change blades often, a dull one tears the paper instead of cutting it.
Then leave it alone. Give the mural 24 hours to settle. To clean it afterwards, a damp cloth is enough. Avoid scrubbing and harsh cleaners.
Not sure how much to order?
Enter your wall and see the exact surface, the number of panels and the price for each paper.
Common questions
Can one person hang a mural alone?
Yes. A 30 in (76 cm) panel is manageable on your own. A second pair of hands is welcome for the first panel and for tall ceilings, but it is not required.
Should I start in the middle of the wall or on the left?
On the left. The panels are numbered and rolled in hanging order, from left to right.
What if my wall is not perfectly straight?
Almost none are. That is why we suggest adding a small margin to your measurements and hanging the first panel against a vertical line drawn with a level. The excess is trimmed at the end.
Which paper is the easiest to hang?
Peel & Stick needs no paste and can be repositioned, which makes it forgiving for a first project and a good choice for renters. Pre-Pasted only needs water. Non-Pasted is the classic method and the most durable.
Made to your measure
Murals for the wall you have in mind
Before you order