There is something special about a wall mural. Maybe it’s that it totally reverses a space at a glance, taking a blank wall and turning it into something of actual beauty. Maybe it’s the fact that murals are intimate: Whether painted by hand or duplicated, they become a part of the occupants of that room. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: Murals have become crazily trendy in personal homes, and they aren’t going away anytime soon.

But why the sudden obsession? And how is the market handling it all? Let’s talk.

People are sick of bland, generic interior design

Home decor trends have been minimalism for years – white walls, neutral couches, and maybe a framed abstract art piece for a splash of personality. But let’s get real: That look can be a little. dull. Now, people want character. They want their bedrooms to tell a story, to reflect their personalities in a way that mass-produced furniture just can’t. Murals accomplish this. They’re dramatic, unique, and fully customizable: Whether it’s a moody floral, a dreamy landscape, or an intricate geometric pattern, custom wallpaper instantly makes a room feel like it’s the only one of its kind.

Molly Torres Portnof, an interior designer, once compared murals to tattoos for your home. It’s a perfect analogy. They’re personal. They make a statement. And they can turn a boring, blank space into something that actually means something.

Murals aren’t new: We’ve been doing this for centuries

While murals are the new hip thing in home decor, they’ve been in existence since the beginning of time. Think about it: Cave paintings? Murals. The Sistine Chapel? A mural. Humans just can’t get enough of covering their walls, and who can blame them. It’s an easy means of adding a room to some character and personality.

Tess Newall, a decorative artist, says early humans didn’t paint their walls just because they had to; they painted them because it added beauty and meaning to their environment. And that’s precisely the reason why murals are making a comeback today. They are not just ornamentations – they are works of a personal nature.

The mural market is booming

This isn’t a saccharine little trend; murals are no joke. The international market for wall decor totaled $53.05 billion in 2022, per Grand View Research, and it’s projected to grow by 5.4% per year until at least 2030. People are putting serious money into making their homes pop, and murals are a big part of that.

One of the biggest reasons? Personalization. Homeowners don’t just want trendy rooms: They want rooms that reflect them. Sterile pieces of art off a big-box shelf just isn’t good enough anymore. A custom mural, though? That’s something special. Technology advances also made murals more affordable. You can get ridiculously detailed designs thanks to digital printing technology without even needing an artist to paint each one by hand. More options, more affordability, more people jumping on the mural bandwagon.

Social media is fueling the trend

If you’ve been on Instagram or Pinterest lately, you’ve probably noticed: Murals are everywhere. Whether it’s a soft, abstract mural in a living room or a massive jungle scene in a kid’s room, social media is packed with inspiration. And it makes sense. Murals photograph beautifully. They instantly make space look curated and stylish, which is exactly the kind of thing people want to showcase online.

Home decor influencers and designers have also popularized murals. They’re always showing before-and-after shots of mural makeovers, so it seems totally within everyone’s reach. The more people see these gob smacking walls, the more they want one of their own.

Murals are the ultimate personal touch

One of the best things about murals? They’re your own work of art. Unlike wallpaper, which comes in predetermined patterns, a mural can be literally anything you imagine. Rebecca Amir, a professional designer, took a blank closet door and turned it into a floral paradise reminiscent of turn-of-the-century postcards. It was no longer a door: It was a full-fledged statement piece.

That’s the power of murals. You can turn a dull space into something incredible. A moody sky on a ceiling? A black-and-white cityscape for an office? A hand-painted jungle in a nursery? The world is your canvas.

What to keep in mind before you get a mural

While murals are amazing, they do have a responsibility. You can’t just move them around or take them down when you get bored with them like you would with a framed picture. A mural hung is a mural there to remain. Commissioning an original work mural by an artist also doesn’t come cheap, based on the complexity of the design. Even digital murals, which are cheaper, require some effort to create.

And then there is the enormous “how’s it going to look five years from now?” question. Murals can be enduring if they’re done well, but a very trendy design will fall apart. It’s worth keeping in mind before you take the plunge. All of that aside, there is a great option for anyone who loves murals but isn’t quite ready to make the long-term commitment: Peel-and-stick murals. These have gone absolutely bonkers in popularity because they give you that custom, high-end look without longevity commitment. Perfect for renters, lovers of changing things up, or anyone who’s a little bit indecisive.

What’s next for murals?

This trend is not disappearing. If anything, it’s growing. As people move away from cookie-cutter design and towards spaces that are specific to them, murals will keep growing in demand. Technology is also rendering murals more accessible than ever. Digital printing is getting smarter, so you can get a gorgeous, high-definition design without the expertise of a professional artist. There’s even buzz of augmented reality (AR) technology that lets you test a mural on your wall before you purchase – how cool is that?

And for those looking for something truly distinctive, custom, hand-painted murals are still going strong. More and more artists are committing to doing this kind of work, allowing homeowners to be able to own something that no other individual does.

Final thoughts: Your walls deserve more than just paint

Ultimately, murals are not merely pleasant to view, though they definitely are. They’re about personality, about imagination, about having a space to feel like your own.

So, if you’re thinking about making a bold statement in your home, why not go for it? A mural might just be the perfect way to transform your space into something unforgettable. And if the current trend is anything to go by, you’ll be in very good company.