A wall mural is printed to the exact size of your wall, so getting the measurements right is the most important step before you order. The good news: it takes about ten minutes, one tape measure and no special skills. This guide walks you through every step, including windows, sloped ceilings and corners, plus a worked example you can copy.

What you need

• A metal tape measure (a laser measure is even easier on large walls)
• A pencil and paper, or the notes app on your phone
• A step ladder for tall walls
• A spirit level, if you want to check how straight the ceiling and floor are

Step 1: Measure the width in three places

Walls are rarely perfectly straight. Measure the width of the wall at the top (just below the ceiling), in the middle and at the bottom (just above the skirting board). Write down all three numbers and use the largest one.

Step 2: Measure the height in three places

Do the same for the height: measure on the left, in the center and on the right, from the floor or the top of the skirting board up to the ceiling. Again, use the largest measurement. Floors and ceilings often slope by a centimeter or two, and you want the mural to cover the full wall everywhere.

Step 3: Add a margin for trimming

Add 5–10 cm (2–4 in) to both the width and the height. This extra margin is trimmed off with a sharp knife during installation, so you get a perfect fit along the ceiling, floor and corners even if the walls are not completely even. Enter these final sizes on the product page.

Worked example

Let's say your measurements are:

• Width: 298 cm at the top, 300 cm in the middle, 299 cm at the bottom → use 300 cm
• Height: 249 cm, 250 cm and 251 cm → use 251 cm

Add the trimming margin and order 310 × 260 cm. The mural is printed in panels about 48 cm (19 in) wide, so a 310 cm wide wall needs 7 panels. In feet and inches, a wall of 10 ft × 8 ft 2 in would be ordered as about 10 ft 4 in × 8 ft 6 in.

You pay only for the area of your wall: width × height × the price of your chosen material. There is no minimum size and no extra charge for a custom size. You can try different sizes and materials in our price calculator.

Windows, doors and radiators

Do not subtract windows or doors from your measurements. Order the mural for the full rectangle of the wall. During installation you hang the panels over the opening and cut around it. This way the design continues naturally above and below the window, exactly as it would on an uninterrupted wall.

Tip: before you order, use the crop tool on the product page to check where the important parts of the design will land. You can move the image so that, for example, a tree or an animal does not end up hidden behind a door or a wardrobe.

Sloped ceilings and attic walls

Measure the width at the widest point and the height at the highest point of the slope. Order the mural for this full rectangle and trim the excess along the slope during installation. Sky, cloud and mountain designs look especially natural on sloped attic walls.

Corners and several walls

If you want the design to continue around a corner, measure each wall separately and add the widths together. Order one mural for the total width, and fold the panel into the corner during installation. If you would rather have separate designs on each wall, simply order a mural for each wall. Not sure which option is best for your room? Contact us with a photo of the wall and we will help.

Skirting boards, moldings and sockets

• Skirting boards: measure from the top of the skirting board to the ceiling.
• Crown molding: measure up to the bottom edge of the molding.
• Sockets and switches: ignore them when measuring. Turn off the power, remove the covers and cut small openings during installation.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Measuring only once. Always measure in three places.
• Forgetting the trimming margin. Without it, an uneven ceiling can leave a visible gap.
• Subtracting windows and doors. Order the full wall.
• Mixing units. Stick to centimeters or to feet and inches for all measurements.

Before you order

Once you have your sizes, choose a material. Economy, Standard and Premium are non-woven wallpapers hung with the paste-the-wall method; Peel and Stick is self-adhesive and easy to remove. Compare them on our materials page, or order a sample set to see your design on every material in your own light. When your mural arrives, follow our non-woven installation guide or the peel and stick guide.

Ready to find your design? Browse all wall murals, or turn your own picture into a custom photo mural.

FAQ

How much extra should I add to my measurements?

Add 5–10 cm (2–4 in) to both the width and the height. The extra is trimmed off during installation for a clean fit.

Should I subtract windows and doors?

No. Order the mural for the full wall and cut around openings when you hang it, so the design continues naturally.

How wide are the panels?

Murals are printed in numbered panels about 48 cm (19 in) wide. Divide your wall width by 48 cm to estimate how many panels you will get.

What if my wall is very wide?

There is no practical limit. Every mural is printed to your size, so wide walls simply get more panels.

Can I choose which part of the design appears on my wall?

Yes. Use the crop tool on the product page to position the design on your wall before you order.