DIY Peel and Stick Mural Tips
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I love a statement piece! Whether that is an oversized vanity and chandeliers in our bathroom, an upcycled red dresser for our kid’s shared room, or a vintage workbench as an island in our kitchen. Statement pieces are so much fun to incorporate into design. They help tell a story and add a sense of fun and whimsy to any space. And, fun and whimsy is what I had on my mind when I started dreaming up a design plan for our playroom/shared craft space.
I purchased this City State of Mind removable wall mural from Minted over a year ago when I started tackling the attic space turned playroom/craft room. Then life happened, and the quarantine with three young children has really encouraged me to create a space that invites creativity for myself and my children. So, last week I finally added the mural to one wall of our attic. Since this was my first time adding a removable mural I thought I would share some of the lessons that I learned.
This is the before picture!
My Tips for Applying a Peel & Stick Mural
First off, why did I choose a mural and not removable wallpaper? And, what is the difference?
Honestly, I fell in love with this City State of Mind wall mural by Jordan Sondler from Minted. I am a firm believer that you bring items into your home that bring you joy! But there are some differences between a wall mural and wallpaper in case you are on the fence.
Wall murals are normally for one statement wall since they are generally an image of something that doesn’t repeat itself. Whereas, wallpaper (not always) features patterns that repeat itself. You can also add wallpaper to a statement wall in the room. I knew I was going to place the mural on the back wall of our attic space and so this mural fit the bill perfectly!
Where can I find removable wallpaper?
I absolutely love wallpaper and wall murals, and am constantly on the hunt for great patterns to save to my Pinterest board. However, I also have apprehension about investing in the money and the time that it will take to make it work. That is why I love removable wallpaper. It is still an investment, but it is so forgiving and there are so many beautiful options to choose from.
Some of my favorite companies with removable wallpaper/murals are:
They have some great wall mural options that are printed on a very thick, matte woven material.
Chasing Paper has definitely revolutionized the world of removable wallpaper with their modern and cute aesthetic. I have envied their designs for many years.
Talk about options. Most of their adorable patterns can be turned into removable wallpaper. I am sure you will find one that you like!
The ease of Amazon shipping, and the plethora of optons with honest reviews makes it a great place to source removable wallpaper.
I love looking on Etsy for new products to support small businesses, and Etsy is a wonderful resource with talented artisans creating and producing removable wallpaper.
Is removable wallpaper right for my wall?
Smooth walls with gloss and satin paints are the best to apply removable wallpaper to. Textured walls may show through the removable wallpaper, and removable wallpaper may not stick to highly textured walls.
As you can see from the before picture above my walls are shiplap, and you can see some of the original shiplap lines through the wall mural but it doesn’t bother me.
Also, areas with high humidity and extreme temperatures may cause the mural to peel away from the wall. Direct sunlight may cause the mural to fade and peel. But, I have seen removable wallpaper in bathrooms and it works well. as long as it doesn’t have constant, direct contact with water.
*If you are concerned about your wall’s texture and placement, I recommend purchasing a sample to test the piece before you invest in the whole wall.
What tools do I need to apply removable wallpaper?
Most companies have great online resources for how to apply their wallpaper along with recommended tools. So please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and tips when applying.
However, after doing my own research, I used:
Cleaner to Prep the Wall. I used my Thieves Cleaner.
Tape Measure.
Craft Knife. I used this craft knife for this project to trim the edges, and it worked well.
Smoothing Tool like a Squeegee. I just used my hand.
Scissors to trim excess wallpaper.
Tips for Applying a Removable Wall Mural
Prep the wall by cleaning it, and then ensuring it is dry.
Lay out the mural panels to ensure you are installing them in the correct order.
Measure your wall space, and then trim the excess wallpaper before you apply it to the wall.
Work from the top down. Remove about 2 foot of the wallpaper backing from the top of the first mural. Then align the top of the first wallpaper panel, and attach to the wall by smoothing the wallpaper with your hand from the center out. Then continue to remove the backing as you work your way down. Slowly smooth out the wallpaper with your hand or the squeegee as you work. If you get any bumps or air pockets, slowly remove the wallpaper and start that part over.
Match up your next panel and repeat step 4.
Carefully trim off the excess edges with the craft knife.
*Always follow your manufacturer’s instructions and online how-to videos for best installation.
You can see the panel meetup in the picture above.
I trimmed the wallpaper just above the crease so it wasn’t visible straight on.
Now, I feel so so happy when I round the corner up the stairs to our play/craft space because of this fun mural.
I am now inspired to finish the rest of the space!
I hope this inspires you to step outside of your design comfort zone to create a home that you truly love.
Tell me, have you ever worked with removable wallpaper? I would love to hear your tips.
I believe creating is more fun when we share our projects. Please email me at elizabeth@countrypeony.com, or please tag me @thecountrypeony or #countrypeony to show me your beautiful, custom creations!
Thank you so much for following along!
