We’d been excited to try wallpaper in our duplex, and last week we finally installed two peel-and-stick wall murals. The whole process was much easier than we expected, and the results exceeded our hopes.
We considered several options before finding removable wall murals on Society6. These are essentially peel-and-stick murals sold in wide non-repeating panels (most are 8′ wide, some 12′). Since our bunk rooms measure about 8′ by 8′, the mural sizes were a perfect fit. We also appreciated the removable nature of these murals — we’ve removed plenty of wallpaper in the past, so the ability to peel them off later felt like a smart, low-commitment choice.
Why We Chose a Peel-and-Stick Wall Mural
Aside from the size matching these small rooms, here are the key reasons we picked removable murals:
- They offer bold, large-scale patterns and images that stand out compared with most budget wallpapers.
- Installation is simple — no paste or messy glue; you can peel and reposition if needed.
- Most sites sell them with demonstration videos so you know what to expect before you begin.
- The material is strong and durable — it feels like a thick, flexible vinyl with fabric fibers woven in.
*This isn’t sponsored — we purchased them ourselves and loved the outcome.*
The Wall Mural Designs We Chose
After debating, we selected two painterly patterns: a blue whale mural and an orange-blossom mural. We paired the whale design with the side of the duplex that has pink doors (White Truffle by Sherwin-Williams) and the orange blossoms with the side that has greeny-blue doors (Oyster Bay by Sherwin-Williams).
We bought both murals during a 30% off sale, which saved us close to $100 off the usual price. Installation was straightforward but did require patience and care. The first mural took about three hours and the second about two, so the process sped up once we learned the rhythm.
Tools & Supplies Needed
You don’t need many tools to install peel-and-stick murals, but the following items will make the job easier:
- Step ladder
- Level
- Pen or pencil
- Ruler or tape measure
- Flathead screwdriver
- Scissors
- Utility knife or other sharp craft knife
- Smoothing tool (or a credit card in a pinch)
- An extra set of hands — it’s much easier as a two-person job
Step 1: Organize Your Panels
The 8′ murals arrive as four 2′ panels rolled together. Because the design doesn’t repeat, identify and lay out the panels in order before you start. We unrolled ours on a bed to confirm the sequence so we wouldn’t hang them out of order.
Step 2: Carefully Position the First Panel
Each panel has a removable backing. Peel back small sections at a time rather than removing the entire backing. We began by peeling about a foot of backing from the top of the first panel and tacked that section to the wall. Getting this first panel straight is crucial, but the material is forgiving — we restuck our first section several times without losing adhesion or wrinkling.
Tip: Use a level
Do not rely on the corner or the ceiling as your guide since walls and ceilings are often out of square. Instead, mark a vertical line with a level for the outer edge of your first panel — a short section at the top is usually sufficient. We set our line so the panel overlapped the adjacent wall slightly to avoid gaps where the wall bows or curves.
We also left about an inch of overlap at the ceiling as insurance against uneven ceilings. That extra will be trimmed later.
Step 3: Peel, Stick, and Smooth
With the top secured, peel a bit more backing, press the mural to the wall by hand, and smooth out air bubbles. Work from the middle toward the edges when sticking and smoothing. A proper smoothing tool helps but a credit card works fine. If something looks off, peel it back and reposition — the material tolerates resticking well.
Continue until you reach the baseboard; you’ll trim the excess later.
Step 4: Line Up the Pattern on the Second Panel
Since these murals don’t have overlapping seams, butt the next panel up against the first and carefully align the pattern. Peel a small section, line it up, and smooth. You may need to peel and restick several times to achieve a nearly seamless join. The material stretches slightly, so avoid pulling too hard as you smooth; uneven tension can shift the pattern alignment.
Step 5: Cut Around Small Obstacles Like Outlets & Switches
Turn off power, remove the cover plate, and loosely stick the mural over the outlet or switch. Feel the outline through the paper and use a utility knife to cut along the shape, taking care not to slice where the cover will rest. Smooth the mural and reattach the cover plate for a clean finish.
Step 6: Cutting Around Large Obstacles Like Windows & Doors
For windows or doors that interrupt the pattern, start the panel at the top and align as usual. Where trim prevents the panel from lying flat, roughly cut away the portion that would cover the opening, leaving a conservative 3–4 inches of excess. Trim more gradually as you gain confidence, then peel, stick, and smooth the remaining sections. You’ll trim the final overlap later.
Step 7: Finishing Your Final Wall Mural Panel
The final panel near the window required some creative problem solving. Because the narrow strip couldn’t easily line up without creating a bubble, we prioritized lining up the visible pattern and then carefully sliced the panel where there was mostly white space to create a subtle overlap. The seam became barely noticeable and will be hidden by furniture in daily use.
From farther away the small overlap is hardly visible and won’t be noticeable once the room is furnished.
Step 8: Cut Off the Excess with Your Knife
Trim excess at the ceiling, side walls, and baseboards once you’re satisfied with all panels in place. Trimming last gives you a chance to reposition if necessary. We used two approaches: freehand cutting along a pressed crease and cutting while using a smoothing tool as a guide. Both methods work; choose the one that feels safest for the edge you’re trimming.
Step 9: Enjoy the Result
We loved how quickly the murals transformed each room — two or three hours of work made both spaces feel like charming sleeping nooks. We still need to fully furnish the rooms (twin bed platforms are built and mattresses are on the way), but the murals set the tone immediately.
The layout fits better than we feared, and the murals made a dramatic difference. We’re already considering another spot in the beach house or our own home for a future mural project.
More updates to come as we finish furnishing these rooms. For now, we’re thrilled with how a few hours of careful work turned plain walls into distinctive, cozy spaces.
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