Where to put a mural

Following a few guidelines will help you put your mural where it will have the most impact.

• take advantage of real architectural features to frame your mural: columns, alcoves, domes and archways work well
• make your mural a focal point by placing it opposite the entry door, over the fireplace or along the longest wall
• site murals in places where people have time to appreciate them: in dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms
• a colourful mural can bring life to a room with few windows, such as a converted cellar
• ornate ceiling murals work best on high ceilings: if your ceiling is on the low side, consider a simple scheme of painted rosettes or coffering
• corridors and stairwells can be good sites for murals provided they are well lit and not too narrow
• avoid placing murals on low walls: painted detail loses impact when it sits below hip level and low murals are likely to get bumped and splashed, especially out of doors
• to bring character to indoor swimming pool areas, choose a bold scheme that uses all the surrounding walls: small, timid murals will be lost in the large room

Preparing the site

A successful mural starts with a well prepared site. At a minimum, the surface needs to be: clean, dry, sound, smooth and crack-free. The following are unsuitable for painted murals:

• bare or painted brick walls
• walls previously painted with distemper paint
• walls in poor condition
• damp walls
• rough stone walls
• pebble-dash surfaces
• textured concrete surfaces
• acoustic tile

Tips

• Unsuitable surfaces can be improved by cleaning, sanding and rendering.
• Adding a smooth coat of plaster or render to a brick or stone wall is often enough make it mural-ready.
• Surfaces previously treated with distemper paint need to be stabilised using specialist products before painting begins.
• Cracks and irregularities in plaster or concrete walls need to be filled and sanded.
• Replace walls in very poor condition and address damp problems before work starts.