Laura Ashley Murals
Larger-scale decorative wall murals
Laura Ashley murals — scenic, floral and decorative wall designs on panels that combine to cover a whole feature wall. A dramatic alternative to wallpaper for statement rooms.
Murals vs wallpaper
The main difference: a wallpaper has a small repeat pattern that tiles across a whole wall; a mural is a single composition designed to span a whole wall as one continuous image.
Murals suit specific applications that wallpaper doesn't:
Bold feature walls — where you want the wall itself to be the room's primary decorative element.
Scenic and pictorial designs — landscapes, garden scenes, floral compositions that only make sense as a single image rather than a repeated pattern.
Rooms where committing to a statement makes sense — dining rooms, entrance halls, principal bedrooms, children's rooms.
Period properties with appropriate scale — tall-ceilinged rooms in period properties can carry substantial mural designs without feeling cramped.
Panel-based application
Murals typically ship as a set of 3–6 panels that together cover the intended wall. Key dimensions:
Standard wall coverage — most Laura Ashley murals cover around 3.5m wide by 2.8m tall (roughly 10m² total) when all panels are hung. This suits most standard domestic walls.
Panel sizes — individual panels typically 60–80cm wide by the full wall height. They install vertically, butted edge-to-edge to form the complete image.
Pattern-matching between panels — each panel's edge matches the adjacent panel precisely. Hanging in the correct order is critical; the panels are usually numbered.
Where murals work best
Dining rooms — behind the main dining wall, as the backdrop for meals. Scenic or garden murals particularly suit this.
Entrance halls — first-impression statement wall opposite or beside the front door.
Principal bedrooms — behind the bed as a feature wall. Softer floral murals suit bedrooms better than very dramatic scenic murals.
Children's rooms — themed murals (woodland, garden, nautical) as focal walls in children's bedrooms.
Formal living rooms — where a bold wall statement anchors a whole room's decoration.
Staircase landings — large walls visible from multiple vantage points that benefit from continuous-image decoration.
Application
Mural application is a careful, measured job — probably more demanding than standard wallpaper because the panels have to align precisely:
Measure the wall carefully — confirm the wall dimensions match the mural's coverage area before ordering. Murals can't usually be trimmed significantly without breaking the image.
Surface preparation is critical — walls must be smooth, clean, dry and primed. Any lumps or rough spots show through murals even more than through standard wallpaper.
Follow the panel order exactly — most murals label each panel with a number. Hang in numerical order from left to right (or as specified in instructions). Mismatched panel order destroys the image.
Take your time with panel alignment — the seams between panels are the most visible part of a mural installation. Precise vertical alignment and careful edge-matching matter.
Consider professional installation — many people DIY wallpaper but call in a professional for murals, given the cost of getting it wrong. A good decorator can install a mural in 2–4 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a Laura Ashley mural myself?
Yes, with care. The work is similar to wallpaper but more demanding — panel alignment matters more because the image is continuous. Allow a full day for a first-time mural installation; experienced decorators can do it in a few hours.
What if my wall is bigger or smaller than the mural coverage?
Slightly larger — paint the surrounding strip to match the mural's background colour. Slightly smaller — you may be able to trim a panel at one edge if the pattern allows, but be careful not to cut into the central image. Significantly mismatched — consider a different mural or use wallpaper.
Are murals removable?
Most Laura Ashley murals are paste-on (not peel-and-stick), which means they're semi-permanent. Removal is possible but involves stripping like standard wallpaper and usually some residue to clean off. For rental properties, check specifically for peel-and-stick mural options if available.
Related categories
- Laura Ashley Wallpaper — pattern wallpaper range
- Wallpaper Accessories — paste, brushes and tools
- Laura Ashley Paint — coordinating paint for surrounding walls
- Laura Ashley Homewares — full brand range