Give Your Walls Life With Murals

HOMES&CONSTRUCTION

Have you imagined having meals at the beach or sleeping in a forest? If your house is not near a lake (or sea) or forest, then the closest you can get to achieve your dream is with a mural of the beach or forest.

This is because a mural will bring what you envision closer on your wall. Murals are large pieces of artwork painted directly on walls or ceilings.

Do not mistake them for wallpaper or wall hangings because they are much stronger than that and are perfect for indoors and outdoors.

Joseph Wamala, a mural artist in Kampala, says murals are not as common as wallpaper and art pieces, but they are distinctive as they add flair to any space.

“They are large works of art placed directly on a wall or ceiling. Murals can also be painted on canvas and art boards,” he says.

These features can also be painted on concrete walls, brick walls and wooden walls, among others. However, Wamala notes that these paintings do not have to be too colourful and bold.

He suggests that one has to choose the colours wisely and try to balance them, bearing in mind the picture one wants to achieve.

In some spaces, opt for a more subtle visual impact. You will not believe what you will achieve.

“You can still achieve a mind blowing mural with little colours,” Wamala says.

Consider murals in your home

Mariah Kiwagama, an interior designer, says murals have evolved over the years. They were originally outdoor features before they slowly found their way inside the house.

Currently, they can be used in any space, such as homes, public places and in commercial projects.

“In homes, they can change the look of any room; from the living room, dining, bedrooms and bathrooms,” she says.

Murals can also transform corridors, lobbies and staircases.

Kiwagama says these features can also be used in public spaces to communicate messages. For example, some act as billboards carrying pictorial messages for the youth, reminding them to live responsibly.

Aside from that, murals can be therapeutic. They contract the negative effects of mental health by giving the viewer something soothing and interesting to look at.

This explains why they are widely used in hospitals, ghettos, slums and asylum shelters, among other places.

“Interior designers usually throw murals in home projects as a means of providing visual communication,” Kiwagama says.

Wamala adds that artistic homeowners rely on these features to bring to life what they visualise. For example, one interested in the tropics will go for a mural with that theme.

Elsewhere, murals are expressive and a creative way to represent emancipation, freedom of expression and social activism.

These are usually found in public places such as streets. In some societies, they are used to express religious and political beliefs. On the décor side, wall murals can completely change the way a room looks and help to bring together a décor theme.

Different murals for different spaces

Kiwagama says murals add colour, vibrancy and a unique sense of style wherever they are used. For example, in the living room, you can paint one to evoke the tropics.

“Tropical murals are great for indoors. They allow you to escape into a tropical paradise right there in the comfort of your living room,” she explains.

“But they do not necessarily have to be very colourful,” Kiwagama says.

She adds that they can still evoke the  same feeling without the extravagant splash of colour. Also, a subtle mural can transform a bathroom into a serene and stylish space.

Bored with your office space?

A wall mural could help you change that boredom into a space that brings back your muse. One can opt for an inspiring image that captures fun and excitement. This will give one the boost they need while working.

Moving to the bedroom, one can make it a little more relaxing. Use a beach themed mural to relax your mind after a whole day’s work as you imagine lounging by the beach.

On the other hand, if you love murals, but have failed to make a choice from the many inspirations, then you can settle for something personal.

For example, pick out your favourite picture and enlarge it to make a beautiful black and white snapshot mural. It can also be a family portrait or that of your parents, which can be a charming addition to any room.

The hallway and staircase walls can also be great spaces for a mural. You may choose your favourite image from nature and transform it into an inviting space.

In the children’s bedrooms, especially teenagers, a big blue world map mural would be an educational choice.

The mural can cover the wall facing the beds. You can also integrate a beach themed mural in the dining. This will mean that you will enjoy breakfast and lunch at the beach in your home.

Cost

Wamala’s murals range from sh800,000 and more, depending on the space he is working on.

Murals

Murals are large pieces of artwork painted directly on walls or ceilings. These features can also be painted on concrete walls, brick walls and wooden walls, among others.

They were originally outdoor features before they slowly found their way inside the house. These design features can be put in bedrooms, living rooms, staircases and offices among others.