We’d been excited to try wallpaper in our duplex, and last week we finally installed peel-and-stick wall murals—two of them, in fact. The process was much easier than we expected, and the result exceeded our hopes. These murals transformed two small 8 x 8′ bunk rooms into bright, memorable spaces in just a few hours each.
We chose removable wall murals sold as peel-and-stick panels. Unlike traditional roll wallpaper, these murals come in wide non-repeating panels—typically 8′ wide—so a single mural covers the whole wall with a continuous image. For our small rooms they were a perfect fit. We also liked that they’re removable, which makes them ideal for a rental property.
Why We Chose a Peel-and-Stick Wall Mural
Besides the ideal size for the bunk rooms, the murals offered several advantages:
- Bold, large-scale patterns and illustrative images that felt more dramatic than typical wallpaper options in our budget.
- Easy installation—no paste or adhesive, and you can peel and re-stick sections while you work.
- A clear demonstration video from the seller that showed the installation process.
- Durable material that feels like a thick, flexible vinyl with a fabric-like texture.
We purchased these ourselves and were impressed enough to share the details.
The Wall Mural Designs We Chose
After considering a few patterns, we selected two painterly designs: a blue watercolor whale mural and an orange blossom mural. The whale mural complements the side of the duplex with pink doors (White Truffle by Sherwin Williams), and the orange blossom mural pairs well with the side that has green-blue doors (Oyster Bay by Sherwin Williams).
We bought the murals during a sale and saved a significant amount off the regular price. Installation was surprisingly straightforward, though it does require patience and a careful approach. The first wall took about three hours and the second took roughly two once we were familiar with the process.
Tools & Supplies Needed
You don’t need many tools to install peel-and-stick murals, but the following items make the job easier:
- Step ladder
- Level
- Pen or pencil
- Ruler or tape measure
- Flathead screwdriver
- Scissors
- Utility knife or craft knife
- Smoothing tool (a credit card works in a pinch)
- An extra pair of hands—this is much easier as a two-person job
Step 1: Organize Your Panels
Each mural arrives rolled with multiple panels (for an 8′ mural that’s often four 2′ panels). Because the pattern doesn’t repeat, identify the correct order before you hang anything. We unrolled the panels and laid them out to confirm sequence so we didn’t place them out of order on the wall.
Step 2: Carefully Position the First Panel
Each panel has a removable backing—no glue required. Peel back a small section of the backing and start with the top corner. Getting the first panel straight is crucial. These panels are forgiving and can be repositioned multiple times without losing adhesion, but start carefully so the rest of the mural lines up cleanly.
Tip: Use a level
Don’t rely on a corner or the ceiling as your guide—many rooms aren’t perfectly square. Mark a vertical plumb line with a level to reference the outer edge of your first panel. We marked about 23.5″ from the corner so our 24″ panel slightly overlapped the side wall to avoid gaps where walls bow.
We also allowed about an inch of overlap at the ceiling to accommodate any unevenness and planned to trim excess later.
Step 3: Peel, Stick, and Smooth
Work gradually: peel back more backing, press the panel to the wall, then smooth from the center toward the edges to remove bubbles. A smoothing tool or a credit card works well. If placement isn’t right, peel and re-stick—this material tolerates adjustments without losing grip.
Step 4: Line Up the Pattern on the Second Panel
Butt the second panel against the first—these murals are cut to meet edge to edge rather than overlapping. Peel a small section and carefully align the pattern; you can reposition as needed. The material has a bit of stretch, so avoid over-pulling to keep alignment consistent as you smooth down the panel.
Step 5: Cut Around Small Obstacles Like Outlets & Switches
Turn off power, remove the cover plate, and loosely stick the panel over the outlet or switch. Feel the outline through the material and carefully cut around it with a utility knife. Remove only enough material so the outlet or switch cover can be reinstalled flush; then smooth and reattach the cover for a polished finish.
Step 6: Cutting Around Large Obstacles Like Windows & Doors
When a window interrupts the mural, start the panel at the top and when the trim prevents it from laying flat, roughly cut out the section that would cover the window. Trim conservatively—leave several inches of excess and remove more as needed. Once the panel can lie flat, continue peeling, sticking, and smoothing. Extra overlap at trim and baseboards is normal and will be trimmed later.
Step 7: Finishing Your Final Wall Mural Panel
The last panel—especially beside a window—can be tricky to align perfectly. If aligning the pattern creates persistent wrinkles, prioritize a smooth vertical seam under the window and accept a small, subtle overlap in a low-visibility area. We split a narrow white space and overlapped slightly so the visible seam disappeared and the surface stayed smooth. From a distance the overlap is nearly invisible and will be covered by furniture.
Step 8: Cut Off the Excess with Your Knife
Trim excess along the ceiling, side walls, and baseboards after the panels are smoothed in place. You can trim as you go, but saving it until the end lets you reposition if needed. Use a utility knife and either freehand the cut along a smoothed crease or use a smoothing tool as a guide while you cut for cleaner edges.
Step 9: Enjoy the Result
Once both murals were up and trimmed, the rooms felt completely transformed—more like cozy guest nooks than bland rental spaces. We still need to furnish the rooms fully: twin bed platforms are in place and mattresses are on the way, and we’ll add bedding and a few finishing touches. For now, a temporary side table helped us confirm that the aisle between beds is comfortable.
If you’re considering peel-and-stick murals, know that with a little planning, basic tools, and patience you can get professional looking results without paste or professional installers. We’re thrilled with how quick and impactful the upgrade was, and we’re already thinking about other spots in the beach house and our own home that could use a similar boost.
*This post contains a brief note about our purchase and experience. No external links are included in this version.*