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These intricate examples make the case
If 2025 marked the revival of the feature wall, 2026 is set to push the trend even further, with full-scale wall murals stepping back into the spotlight.
As bold colours and expressive patterns have made their return, wallpapers and feature walls have surged in popularity — but for those keen to dial up the drama, there’s an even more impactful option on offer: the interior mural.
Unlike wallpapers, which typically feature a repeated motif, wall murals depict one large image, either custom-designed for the space (and sometimes even painted right onto the wall) or created with oversized repeats in mind to encompass a large room. Sometimes, three-dimensional details are added to the panel to create a sense of depth.
'The feature wall is back, but it's evolved. This isn't the early 2000s accent wall; it's about considered design and strategic impact,' says Lewis Janes, head of decorating & storage at Wickes. 'As we look ahead to 2026, homeowners are increasingly seeking ways to infuse their living spaces with personality, comfort and longevity. The latest trends highlight richer colours, impactful wall designs, and highly durable natural materials – all set to be popular next year and beyond.'
A finished mural serves as built-in artwork – and one that you can even hang more artwork on top of if you really want to flex those maximalist muscles. Read on for some wall mural inspiration...
Colour and pattern enriches the bedroom of artist Diane Hill – it's where her art is most abundantly displayed. In her main bedroom, rainbow-coloured birds swoop across the sky-blue walls as butterflies flit between pink and white flowers, creating a whimsical feel.
For a retreat in Bellport, New York, designer Aamir Khandwala enlisted artist Shantell Martin to go wild on the kitchen wall (using her trademark Sharpie), resulting in a bespoke graphic wall treatment that's also a one-of-a-kind artwork.
Lush greens and sky blues create a heartfelt connection to nature in Sophie Robinson's home office. 'The wraparound woodland mural wallpaper in my office is from my collaboration with Harlequin and depicts my garden. It anchors me to the landscape beyond, blurring the lines between indoors and out,' explains Sophie.
Created in collaboration with renowned Spanish artist Coco Dávez – celebrated for her bold, pop-art–inspired portraits – the Maravillas Mural, available at Lime Lace, delivers a vivid hit of colour while still sitting comfortably in the background. It's an ideal way to energise a room with monochrome or earth-toned furnishings.
Designer Devin Kirk took inspiration from the handpainted approach of De Gournay murals but gave it a modern twist by using a stencil to handpaint this hallway. He used Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue and Studio Green.
The centrepiece – and palette unifier – of this open-plan apartment by Courtney McLeod is Voutsa's wildly whimsical, incredibly detailed 'Menagerie Chinoiserie' pattern, which spans four panels of wallpaper and comes with an installation map to ensure the perfect mural.
Mid-century modern continues to dominate design trends, with many people craving interiors that echo the past. And while wallpaper was a staple of the 1960s, large-scale murals weren't part of the era's playbook – making them a smart way to bring a fresh, contemporary edge to a classic mid-century look.
A Gracie mural in a rich lavender gives the otherwise modern dining room in a Massachusetts house by Mary McGee the feel of a secret garden.
Murals don’t need to dominate a room. Case in point: this gentle gradient design by Feathr, titled 'Sumo Teal'. Created by a Finnish designer ('sumo' means 'fog' in Finnish), the piece brings a soft, atmospheric quality that's perfectly suited to a bedroom. Its subtle fade exudes calm, making it an ideal backdrop for spaces dedicated to rest and relaxation.
In the entryway of the Kips Bay Show House Palm Beach, Craig & Company worked with MJ Atelier to affix real seashells to the walls to give this ocean-themed mural an extra textural effect.
This vibrant mural adorns the wall of a Victorian property in London, where the interiors draw inspiration from Indian and Middle Eastern design. With two shades of pink and a striking gold tree, it's a fearless way to decorate a small space.
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