How to Hang a Wall Mural

A mural is one big image split into panels, made to fit one specific wall. Hanging it is a little different to repeat wallpaper — the key is getting the panels in the right order and lined up.

Before you start

  • Check your panels. Murals arrive as numbered panels (1, 2, 3…). Lay them out on the floor in order and check the whole image looks right before you paste anything.
  • Measure your wall again. A mural is made to fit. Confirm your wall size matches what you ordered.
  • Prep the wall. Clean, dry, smooth and sound — see Prepping Your Walls.

Step 1 — Mark your guide line

Find the centre of your wall, or start from one edge depending on how the mural is designed (the instructions with your mural will say). Use a spirit level to draw a true vertical pencil line for your first panel. Every other panel follows from this one, so take your time getting it straight.

Step 2 — Paste

Most murals are paste-the-wall — you paste the wall, not the panel. Paste enough area for one panel at a time. Always follow the instructions that came with your mural.

Step 3 — Hang panel 1

Line panel 1 up to your pencil line, leaving a small overlap at the ceiling for trimming. Smooth from the centre outwards with your smoothing tool, easing out any air.

Step 4 — Hang the rest in order

Bring panel 2 up beside panel 1. Depending on the mural, panels either butt together edge-to-edge or have a small overlap — your mural's instructions tell you which. Line up the image across the join carefully; this is where a mural lives or dies. Continue 3, 4, 5… in order.

Step 5 — Trim

Once all panels are up and the image lines up, trim the top, bottom and edges with a sharp blade guided by a filling knife. Change blades often. Wipe away any paste with a damp sponge as you go.

Tips that make a mural look professional

  • Work with a second person if you can — one holds, one smooths.
  • Don't rush the joins. Get the image matched across each seam before you smooth the whole panel down.
  • Stand back between panels to check the picture is building up correctly.
  • Keep a damp sponge handy — paste on the printed surface should be wiped immediately, gently.

Because murals are made to fit

There's very little spare paper, so measure carefully before ordering and handle the panels gently. If your wall is an unusual size, email us at mary@wallpapertrader.com before ordering — many murals can be made to custom dimensions.