Wall Mural vs Wallpaper Rolls: Which Is Better for Your Home?
When you decide to decorate a wall, you quickly run into two options: classic wallpaper sold in rolls, or a wall mural printed to the size of your wall. Both cover the wall, both are hung in strips, yet the result and the buying process are very different. This guide compares them side by side so you can choose with confidence.
What is the difference?
Wallpaper rolls come in a fixed width and length with a small pattern that repeats every few centimeters. You buy a number of rolls, match the pattern by hand and cut off the excess.
A wall mural is one large image printed specifically for your wall. It arrives in numbered panels (ours are about 48 cm or 19 in wide) that you hang side by side, and together they form a single continuous picture: a forest, a landscape, an oversized flower or a large-scale pattern.
Design and visual impact
A repeating roll pattern works like a background. A mural works like a piece of art: it can show a misty mountain range, a whole jungle or a soft abstract composition that would be impossible with a small repeat. That is why murals are usually chosen for a feature wall behind a sofa, a bed or a dining table, while rolls are often used to cover a whole room evenly.
Many of our designs are pattern-style murals too, such as dots, tiles or botanical repeats, so you can get the classic wallpaper look while still ordering to size. See our wallpaper murals for examples.
Sizing and waste
With rolls, you calculate how many rolls you need, add extra for pattern matching and usually end up with leftovers. With a mural, you measure your wall, add 5–10 cm (2–4 in) for trimming and receive exactly what your wall needs. There is no pattern matching between rolls because the image is printed as one piece and then divided into panels.
Cost
Roll prices look low per roll, but the total depends on how many rolls you need and how much is wasted on pattern matching. A mural is priced by the area of your wall: width × height × the price of the material. You pay for your wall and nothing more, with no minimum size and no extra charge for custom dimensions. Use our price calculator to see the total for your wall, including delivery.
Installation
Our non-woven murals use the paste-the-wall method: you apply paste to the wall, not to the panels, and hang dry, numbered panels one by one. It is cleaner and easier than traditional paper wallpaper. Peel and Stick murals need no paste at all and are easy to remove later. Step-by-step instructions: non-woven installation guide and peel and stick guide.
When to choose rolls, and when to choose a mural
- Choose a mural for a feature wall, a statement design, an unusual wall size, a kids' room theme or when you want a picture rather than a pattern.
- Choose a pattern mural if you love classic repeats but want an exact fit and no leftover rolls.
- Choose rolls if you need to cover many identical walls with a very simple pattern and do not mind matching by hand.
Popular mural styles to start with
Explore all wall murals or start with our bestsellers. Not sure about the colors? Order a sample set first.
Durability and care
Our non-woven materials are made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibers designed to resist tearing and wear. To keep a mural looking fresh, dust it occasionally and wipe light marks with a damp cloth; avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh scrubbing. Like any printed surface, it is best kept out of strong direct sunlight for many hours a day to prevent fading over time.
Removing and redecorating
Peel and Stick murals are designed to be removed when you want a change, which makes them ideal for renters and kids' rooms. Non-woven murals are a more permanent, durable finish for walls you plan to keep for years.
A quick checklist before you decide
- Do you want a picture or a pattern?
- Is it one feature wall or the whole room?
- Is your wall an unusual size or shape?
- Do you rent, or plan to redecorate soon?
If you answered "picture", "one wall", "unusual size" or "I rent", a mural is very likely the better choice.
FAQ
Is a wall mural more expensive than wallpaper?
Not necessarily. A mural is priced by the area of your wall with no wasted rolls, so for a single feature wall it is often comparable or cheaper than buying several rolls plus extra for pattern matching.
Can a mural cover a whole room?
Yes. Order a mural for each wall, or choose a pattern-style mural that continues naturally from wall to wall.
Is a mural harder to hang than wallpaper?
No. The panels are numbered and hung side by side. Non-woven murals use the paste-the-wall method, and Peel and Stick needs no paste.