Murals Are the New Accent Wall: 2025’s Most Expressive Design Move

From “feature wall” to story wall

The short answer to “Are accent walls still in?” is: not really—unless it’s a mural. Homes & Gardens reports that designers now view mural wallpaper as the only acceptable way to do an accent wall in 2025 because it feels intentional, artful, and narrative—more like placing a large-scale artwork than stopping paint at one corner. [oai_citation:1‡Homes and Gardens](https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/mural-walls-are-the-new-accent-wall)

That momentum isn’t happening in a vacuum. Trend agency NellyRodi notes the rise of “maximalism and monumental scale,” with huge wall murals, oversized panels, trompe‑l’œil effects, and panoramic wallpapers saturating TikTok design feeds. [oai_citation:2‡NellyRodi](https://nellyrodi.com/en/tiktok-design-trends-january-2025/)

Two ways to get the look

1) Printed mural wallpapers

Digitally printed panoramas (landscapes, abstract frescoes, dreamlike botanicals) arrive in pre-measured drops and hang like wallpaper—delivering impact in a single afternoon. Homes & Gardens cites brand leaders saying consumers are embracing “pictorial designs on vast scales,” often pairing them with neutral adjacent walls so the mural reads like a gallery-size statement piece. [oai_citation:4‡Homes and Gardens](https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/mural-walls-are-the-new-accent-wall)

2) Hand‑painted frescoes

For absolute one‑off character, commissions are back. Vogue Scandinavia reports clients requesting artists to hand‑paint tranquil vistas or architectural trompe‑l’œil—an antidote to today’s automated aesthetics. Costs vary widely (the title cites ranges from specialty artists and details the slower, couture-like process), but the result is permanent, personal, and richly textural. [oai_citation:5‡Vogue Scandinavia](https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/murals-trend)

If you want proof of concept, the 2025 Kips Bay Decorator Show House featured a room by Alessandra Branca with a hand‑painted trompe‑l’œil mural that envelopes the space—an artful depth that’s virtually impossible to replicate with print alone. [oai_citation:6‡ELLE Decor](https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/a68132088/kips-bay-show-house-new-york-trends-2025/)

Placement & scale tips that always work

• Choose one “story wall.” Behind a sofa, bed, or dining table is ideal—let furniture sit 5–15 cm off the mural so edges stay crisp in photos.
• Mind the sightlines. Align a horizon or main motif to the viewer’s eye (about 145–150 cm from the floor in most homes).
• Keep the rest quiet. Pair murals with calmer textiles and solids so the composition breathes; use accents (lamps, cushions) to echo two or three mural colors.
• Wrap corners sparingly. Turn a corner only if the mural’s design is continuous; otherwise, stop at the edge so it reads like framed art at architectural scale.
• Try a statement ceiling next. If you love immersive surfaces, watch the “fifth wall” trend—ceilings are the new focal point for 2026, per House Beautiful. [oai_citation:8‡House Beautiful](https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a69166630/ceiling-accent-wall-trend/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Printed vs. painted: how to decide

Go printed when you want speed, easy changes, rental‑friendly installs, or precise repeats at a consistent budget. Go hand‑painted when a room needs architecture-referencing artwork—arches, faux paneling, or a single horizon—tailored to light, proportion, and your story. As Vogue Scandinavia notes, the process is slower but delivers a singular, “evidence-of-the-hand” finish. [oai_citation:9‡Vogue Scandinavia](https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/murals-trend)

Editor tip: tie print with pattern

If you love bold, graphic motifs, pair your mural with geometric textiles or lighting. We recently covered the return of kaleidoscopic pattern in Habitat × Margo Selby’s AW25 collection—a handy reference if you’re layering stripes and circles around a scenic wall. It’s a great way to keep your mural front‑and‑center while the rest of the room hums in rhythm. [oai_citation:13‡Artoholica](https://artoholica.com/blogs/newsroom/habitat-margo-selby-returns-with-a-kaleidoscopic-aw25-collection-bold-color-retro-lighting-and-the-buster-print)