Wall murals are a creative and fun way to bring cold, bare walls to life. And the best part: anyone can make them, you don’t have to be an artist. You can design your own wall mural using his imagination, artwork, greeting cards or picture books. You can purchase a wall mural stencil kit to help you, or you can find a local artist to design and paint the perfect wall mural.

Painting a wall mural is not difficult, but it does require some work. Before you begin, cover the woodwork with masking tape and cover the furniture and carpet to protect them from accidental spills. Depending on the condition of your wall, you may wish to apply a neutral base coat to the area where your mural will go. Interior latex paint is a good option, but you should talk to a paint specialist at a home improvement store to make sure it works for you. You can use interior latex paint on large blocks of color within the mural, but acrylic paints work best for small areas of the mural. Acrylic paints are thin and will probably need more than one coat to get the color right.

You will need a variety of brushes for your painted wall mural. Large, wide brushes are best for wide areas of color. Small, rounded brushes are best for small areas. Don’t be afraid to get dirty. Mix the colors with your fingers, sponges or clothes.

Faux finishes can make a painted wall mural unique. Many are easy for beginners. Experiment with some additional drywall techniques before you start painting your mural. Use joint compound and paint to create a fossil rock look or to make a stencil stand out from the wall. Get instructions and other ideas from the websites of painted wall murals, or visit the painting center in your home improvement air. Start with simple techniques, get creative and have fun.