Wall Mural Painting Ideas

Transform any room in your home with a DIY wall mural. Whether you're looking to create a calming landscape or a bold geometric design, painting a wall mural is an achievable project that can dramatically change your space. But if you’re wondering ‘how do you paint a wall mural?’, our comprehensive guide includes everything you need to know, from what you’ll need to design inspiration and practical tips.

Follow these steps to create a beautiful wall mural that will transform your space:

1. Sketch your design onto the wall. Use white chalk or a light pencil to outline your mural directly onto the wall. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage – chalk can be easily wiped away and adjusted. For geometric designs, use a spirit level to ensure straight lines. For curved elements, household items like bowls or plates make excellent templates.
2. Prepare your paints. Stir each paint colour to ensure an even colour and consistency. If you’re covering large areas, pour your first colour into a roller tray, ready for application.
3. Start with outlines. Using a fine brush, begin painting the outline of your design. Work carefully along your chalk lines for a neat finish.
4. Fill in larger areas. Once the outlines are complete, use a small roller to fill in the bigger areas within your design. This technique ensures even coverage and speeds up the painting process.
5. Move on to your next colour. Repeat the outline-then-fill technique for each new colour in the design. For landscape murals, work through your colour palette from light to dark to create depth and dimension. Allow each section to dry slightly before moving to adjacent areas to prevent colours from bleeding.
6. Add details and depth. Use a fine brush to add details, texture, or additional layers to bring your mural to life. Consider adding highlights, shadows, or intricate elements that enhance the overall design.
7. Step back. Throughout the painting process, regularly step back from the wall to view your mural from a distance. This perspective helps you see the bigger picture and identify any areas that need refining.
8. Apply a second coat. Once the first coat is completely dry, assess whether areas need an additional layer for consistent colour depth and coverage. You can also correct minor imperfections during this stage.
9. Final touches. Use your fine brush for any final touch-ups, ensuring all edges are crisp and the colours are vibrant. Remove any remaining chalk marks with a damp cloth once the paint is fully dry.

Discover some of the most popular mural designs to find the perfect option for any space. From soothing wall mural bedroom ideas to eye-catching living room murals, this painting technique can be adapted to suit any room, colour scheme or interior style

Geometric murals bring modern sophistication to any room with clean lines and bold shapes. These designs work particularly well in contemporary interiors and can add an energising touch to spaces like home offices and living areas. Here are some of our favourite geometric designs to try:

• Overlapping circles and arcs for a fun, playful look
• Large, colour-blocked sections to create contrast – check out the Creative Spirit palette for more inspiration
• Triangular or hexagonal patterns that have a mosaic-like feel

When choosing colours for a geometric wall mural, no colour is off limits! This bold design is well-suited to contrasting colours and tonal shades. Some of our favourite colour palettes for geometric wall murals include:

• Modern neutrals. Create a subtle geometric design using Timeless as your base, paired with warm shades like Soft Stone, Natural Hessian and Pressed Putty for depth.
• Bold jewel tones. Make a statement with colour-blocked sections using Sapphire Salute, Emerald Glade and Golden Sands.
• Cool-toned pastels. Opt for a soothing, grey-blue geometric design with Coastal Grey, Denim Drift and Mineral Mist over a Frosted Dawn base.

Bring the outdoors in with landscapes and botanical motifs. Nature-inspired murals create calming, restorative environments – perfect for bedrooms, living rooms and bathrooms. Discover our top design ideas here:

• Oversized tropical leaves for a jungle-inspired look
• Flowers in various sizes, scattered across a feature wall
• Mountain ranges with gradient effects from light to dark
• Forest scenes with trees in varying shades of green
• Seascapes with soft horizon lines and gentle waves

If you’re painting a landscape, start with the lightest colour for elements furthest away (like distant mountains or sky), then introduce darker shades as you move toward the foreground. This technique creates realistic depth and dimension.

Some of our top nature-inspired shades include:

• Fresh greens like Apple White, Dewy Lawn and Guild Green.
• Sea blues like Bright Skies, Blue Babe and Ocean Ripple.
• Soft pinks like Pressed Petal, Blush Pink and Spring Rose.
• Pale yellows like Desert Wind and Lemon Spirit.

Abstract murals offer complete creative freedom, making them perfect for expressing your style and experimenting with colour and form. Consider these abstract designs for your mural:

• Fluid, organic shapes reminiscent of watercolour paintings
• Bold brush strokes in contrasting colours
• Gradient effects with blended transitions
• Splatter and drip techniques
• Vertical or horizontal stripes

Abstract murals provide the perfect opportunity to experiment with unexpected colour combinations. Consider tonal shades from the same family for a harmonious feel, complementary colours for vibrant energy, or monochrome palettes for sophisticated simplicity. Our Find a Colour tool can help you discover the perfect shades for your abstract wall mural.

Create a magical space for your little one with whimsical murals for nurseries and kids' bedrooms. Some of our favourite designs include:

• Soft clouds and stars for a dreamy nighttime sky
• Friendly animals in a woodland or safari scene
• Underwater themes with fish and sea creatures
• Mountain landscapes in soothing colours

Keep designs simple and opt for soft, calming colours that won't overstimulate little ones – think pastel tones and soothing neutrals. You could also consider painting murals at a lower level so they're more visible to babies and toddlers. Our guide to gender-neutral nursery ideas has more design inspiration.

Ready to paint? Here are our top tips for hand-painted easy wall murals:

• Plan before you paint. Take time to sketch your design on paper first, experimenting with colour combinations and composition. You could even photograph your wall and sketch over the image digitally to test ideas first.
• Start with a neutral base coat: If you're painting a mural over a dark or bold wall colour, apply a neutral base coat first. This ensures your mural colours are true and vibrant.
• Don't rush the process. Allow adequate drying time between coats and colours to prevent smudging and bleeding.
• Embrace the handmade quality. Slight imperfections add character and prove your mural is genuinely hand-painted.
• Test your colours. Before committing to your design, test paint colours on a small, inconspicuous area. Come back to them in different lights, including natural light at various times of day and artificial lighting.
• Consider the room's purpose. Choose designs and colours that complement the room's function. Calming, nature-inspired murals suit bedrooms, while energetic, bold designs work well in playrooms or home offices.

Want to bring a personal touch to your home without painting a wall mural? Check out these related guides:

• How to create your own canvas wall art
• How to create stencilled canvas designs