Murals Go Mainstream: 2025–26 Wall Trend Report (and How to Pair Art With It)
Once a designer flex, mural wallpapers are now a mass obsession. At London Design Festival, murals were named a key move of the season—one storied brand reports +32% year‑over‑year mural sales—while editors are calling murals the only acceptable “accent wall” for 2025. Below: the why, the color notes carrying into 2026, and smart ways to mix murals with framed wall art.
Why murals are booming now
1) Storytelling scale. Designers say homeowners are moving beyond resale‑safe choices toward deeply personal rooms. Murals deliver narrative in one gesture—landscapes, painterly botanicals and art‑inspired scenes bring the “collected” mood without months of sourcing. Houzz’s 2025 Fall Trends calls out the broader return of bold pattern and a “wallpaper re‑revival” on walls and even ceilings.
2) Smarter materials for renters. Peel‑and‑stick has matured. At High Point Market this fall, Tempaper debuted Of the Earth with Pure Salt Interiors and new fall colorways with Jeremiah Brent—textural, quiet‑luxury looks that install cleanly and remove without drama.
3) The accent wall evolves. If the painted feature wall is passé, murals are the designer‑approved exception. Editors are calling mural walls the only way to do an “accent” in 2025: intentionally scaled and artful rather than a single, arbitrary paint panel.
Color Watch into 2026
Rich jewel tones are set to stick around, with brands doubling down on moody reds and berries for 2026. Graham & Brown’s Color of the Year, Divine Damson, arrives alongside a Jaipur‑inspired “Eternal City” mural—both cues that saturated, story‑led walls will keep momentum next year.
Launch radar: textures, florals & stripes
Mural vs. framed art: when to pick which
Choose a mural when…
- You need one bold move to set the mood (entry, dining, primary wall in living).
- The room benefits from visual depth—scenics and painterly panoramas “push back” the wall plane.
- You want continuity around awkward angles (wrap corners or nib walls).
Choose framed art when…
- You’re renting or refresh frequently (modular swaps keep a room current).
- You want layered character—pairing a mural with a tight, graphic piece creates tension and focus.
- Acoustics matter—canvas absorbs sound and softens echo.
How to mix both (foolproof rules)
- Scale: On a scenic mural, hang 1–2 large pieces (e.g., 24"×36" to 30"×40") rather than many small frames.
- Contrast: If the mural is detailed, pick graphic abstracts or simple photography; if the mural is minimal, choose expressive, textural art.
- Palette: Pull 2–3 hues from the mural (one dominant, one accent, one metallic/neutral) to guide art and frames.
- Spacing: Give murals breathing room; center art where the eye naturally rests (sofa midpoint, bed width, dining banquette center).
Sizing cheatsheet for 2025 rooms
- Over‑sofa hero: 30"×40" or 36"×48" single; or a 3‑panel totaling ~72"–84" wide.
- Over a queen bed: 24"×36" or 28"×42"; for tall headboards, lean vertical (24"×48").
- Dining banquette: one long piece (48"–60" wide) clears backrests and reads clean.
- Gallery moment: 1 large anchor + 2–3 satellites; keep a consistent 1.5"–2" gap.
Related from our blog
Thinking of taking the pattern overhead instead? Our deep dive on statement ceilings has you covered—color drenching, wallpaper “tenting,” and art pairings that still read calm. Read: The Ceiling Is the New Accent Wall in 2025.
Keep reading (editor picks)
Shop the look — 5 art picks that play with murals
Outline style buttons; no fills—clean and minimal to match Artoholica’s aesthetic.
References
- The Independent — London Design Festival 2025: Interior design trends to watch (includes 32% YoY mural sales at Andrew Martin)
- Houzz — 2025 U.S. Fall Design Trends Report (bold color, wallpaper re‑revival, statement ceilings)
- Homes & Gardens — Designers say mural wallpaper is the accent wall that works for 2025
- Tempaper & Co. — Fall High Point Market 2025 launches (Pure Salt, Jeremiah Brent, Fable & Flora)
- News by Wire — Andrew Martin says mural wallpaper sales are up 32% YoY
- Homes & Gardens — Graham & Brown Colour of the Year 2026 “Divine Damson” + mural/design of the year
All third‑party images are used here for editorial reporting with source credits linked above.