Wall Mural or Paint - What to Choose?

When it's time to renovate and focus on the walls, there's typically too many diverse options to choose from, serving different purposes and presenting a range of advantages and disadvantages. This article will provide the assistance in making such a decision, by focusing on the differences and similarities between wall paint and wall murals.

Price

Before picking out any wall decor for your house, it's important to think about your budget first. Although there are expensive and cheap options for both products on the market, paint is generally more affordable than wall murals. A bucket of paint usually covers larger area than a wall mural panels, which cost the same. Moreover, many wall murals require additional glue, which must be purchased separately (in our store, when purchasing a wall mural, you will receive glue for free!). Paint, on the other hand, requires the purchase of a primer and more specialized tools.

It is also much easier to calculate the amount of material needed when you decide to apply wall murals, since painting walls usually proceed in several layers and often the originally purchased paint may not be enough.

Ease of Application

Wall painting seems so familiar and simple to everyone in comparison to different kinds of wall murals, but in fact, to get good results, you have to think of many details and be extremely careful.

In both situations, paint and wall murals require clean and smooth surface to get the best effect possible. If you paint bumpy walls, you will need to use a lot more paint to cover up all of the problems, but even then, the result you want cannot be assured, and imperfections may still be seen.

To paint a wall, the first step is to apply primer. After waiting for complete drying, you must apply the first coat of paint, wait for complete drying again, and then apply the second one. It is important to paint all areas of the wall evenly to achieve a uniform wall color. If you decide to mix two paint colors, then in the case of painting a large space, it is important to remember exactly the mixing proportion, otherwise the color will also turn out different. When painting, it is important to follow all the paint manufacturer's conditions to obtain the best result, including regulating the lighting and humidity in the room.
Although there are photo wallpapers that can be installed in two different ways, they are both much simpler and more customer-friendly than applying paint.

The easiest way is to buy vinyl photo wallpaper, which most often has a self-adhesive backing, which simplifies installation without additional glue. Buying non-woven photo wallpaper isn't too tricky either. You just need to apply a special liquid glue (which is created by mixing glue powder and water) on the wall before the application process. For a simpler installation process, all photo wallpapers, regardless of installation method or material, are divided into special panels, which are much easier to install. For a detailed guide on the installation of wall murals, visit our guide page.

Longevity and Maintenance

Paint typically requires regular touch-ups and repainting every few years to maintain its appearance, especially in high-traffic areas. Even if it doesn't wash off completely, it can easily fade, leaving a noticeable stain of a different shade on the wall.

Photo wallpaper made from any material (except regular paper) is more durable and resistant to fading and wears out much longer, providing a longer service life with minimal maintenance. Such high-quality wallpaper as non-woven murals from AGDesign can withstand sun fading and are also resistant to wear and scratches, so they can decorate your walls for up to 15 years.

This factor can affect the overall cost over time, as murals may prove to be a more cost-effective solution in the long run.
In order to keep your photo wallpaper looking great, just wipe it with a barely damp cloth.
Because many paints can't resist being wet and can permanently change color, they become harder to maintain. Waterproof paints are much more expensive and can even cost more than than premium wall murals in the long run.

Environmental Friendliness

Traditional cheap paints often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can emit harmful gases into the atmosphere, contributing to indoor air pollution and posing health risks. Fortunately, eco-conscious consumers now have access to low-VOC or zero-VOC paints, which minimize harmful emissions and promote healthier indoor air quality. These paints are made from natural ingredients such as plant oils and minerals, reducing the environmental footprint.

Among all the various materials of photo wallpaper, it is worth highlighting only vinyl photo wallpaper, cheap versions of which may contain phthalates, which are dangerous to human health. When purchasing such photo wallpaper, make sure that the manufacturer uses a phthalate-free version of the materials and also has all the necessary certificates.

Design Options

By using paint, you limit your interior design to a certain color or mix of them.

Perhaps the main advantage of photo wallpapers is their versatility and the ability to personalize in accordance with individual preferences and design aesthetics. You can decorate the room with any design, pattern or even photo. Whether you choose a nature-inspired motif, crowded city landscape or a vibrant abstract design, our photo murals allow for creative expression while complementing your space.

Popular Combinations & Advices

  • You can spruce up the most worn-out wall in your room by covering it with photo wallpaper while painting the other walls in a complementary color. This mix won't overwhelm the room with too much color and will create a perfect balance in your space.
  • If you are a renter, but the current interior design does not suit you, then wall photo wallpaper, especially self-adhesive ones, are an excellent solution in this situation, since the installation process is pretty simple. Some types, such as vinyl wall murals, can be easily removed without leaving any signs of wear on the wall thank to its self-adhesive back.
  • Wall murals can also be placed on the ceiling, creating unusual design solutions for any space from bedroom and living room to office places.