Wallpaper Murals vs. Wall Decals: What’s Right for Your Space?

Ever stared at a blank wall and wondered how to bring it to life without committing to messy paint or permanent fixtures? That’s where wallpaper murals and wall decals enter the picture. Both offer creative ways to personalise your room—but they serve very different needs.

If you’re hemming and hawing between the two, here’s an easy guide to help you decide which one suits your space and style best!

What Are Wallpaper Murals?

Wallpaper murals are large, continuous prints that cover (or partially cover) a wall with a single cohesive image. Think landscapes, cityscapes, abstract designs, or oversized botanicals that expand across a wall and wrap around corners. They’re printed to scale, made-to-fit your exact wall size, and installed much like traditional wallpaper.

Pros:

• Complete visual immersion—no breaks or seams breaking up the design
• High visual impact—great for accent walls, feature pieces, or thematic rooms
• Customisable—upload your own image or work with a designer to make something unique
• Durable and long-lasting—when printed on high-GSM paper, with proper care they can look great for years

What Are Wall Decals?

Wall decals (stickers or vinyl cutouts) are smaller graphics or illustrations that you can affix directly onto your wall. They’re ideal for adding accents, slogans, or small motifs—such as leaves, animals, or inspirational quotes—without covering the entire surface.

Pros:

• Super easy to install—peel, stick, reposition, and remove
• Perfect for renters or kids’ rooms—no glue, no waste, and no damage to walls
• Flexible placement—move them around as your style or layout changes
• Ideal for small-scale style updates, kids’ motifs, or temporary decor

Comparing the Two: Side-by-Side

Which One Should You Choose?

✅ Pick a Wallpaper Mural If…

• You want a dramatic, unified visual (a forest scene, geometric art, or mural-style photo)
• You’re decorating an entire wall or floor-to-ceiling space
• You’re comfortable with professional installation or a precise DIY method
• You’d like the option to request a truly custom design

✅ Pick Wall Decals If…

• You want flexibility and might want to relocate your decor in the future
• You’re in a rental or need a damage-free solution
• It’s a quick style update—like kids’ alphabets, growth charts, or seasonal fun
• You prefer simplicity over permanence

Combining Both: The Best of Both Worlds

Sometimes the answer isn’t one or the other—it’s both. For example:

• Use a neutral wallpaper mural as a base and add decals (clouds, stars, animals) on top for whimsy.
• Or, create a gallery wall combining framed artwork and decals over a subtle mural.
• In a kids’ room, mural one entire wall and add decal sets to update theme yearly without redoing the mural.

Planning Tips Before You Decide

1. Measure carefully

For murals, accurate wall measurements are critical. Miss by even an inch and your fit can be off.

2. Plan layout carefully

Decals may shift corners or interrupt patterns; murals need pattern alignment and seam planning.

3. Think about surface area

If you have uneven surfaces, wallpaper may peel more. Decals are more forgiving, though not ideal on textured or damp walls.

4. Try before you commit

Many brands offer small sample prints or demo decal pieces to test color, adhesion, and look.

Final Thoughts

Wallpaper murals and wall decals each bring unique advantages—but your choice depends on how far you want to commit to your space and what sort of daily experience you desire. Are you in it for a lasting impression (mural) or flexible flair (decals)?

Either way, both options are fun, expressive, and far more stylish than a naked wall. Choose what sparks your creativity—and let your walls tell your story.