Before & After: Wallpaper Mural in a Boring Den: How to Get the Look

After we installed a gorgeous grisaille mural wallpaper from Photowall in a spare bedroom I used as an office HERE, I knew I wanted MORE! And here’s the thing. There are no rules about these things beyond pleasing yourself. So don’t feel bullied or policed by opinions from “more seasoned” decorators who might insist just one mural per household. There was plenty of space in our home for another expanse of glorious trees from Photowall’s collection of highly customizable wallcoverings. This time we turned our attention to a big beige box of a bonus room. Wallpaper Mural Before & After in our Bonus Room: How to Get the Look shows you what pretty drama is possible with two hours of work, quality product, and a little paste.

Make a bold statement in a boring space like I did in our finished basement - come see the easy 2 hour installation of a wallpaper mural - Hello Lovely.
“Beauty Everywhere” mural, Photowall Sweden…the swing is vintage Ikea in case you are wondering.

I independently selected products provided by Photowall for this post—all opinions are my own, and if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission with no extra cost to you.

Wallpaper Mural in a Boring Den: How to Get the Look

A bonus room in our finished basement lacked interest and architecture. This gorgeous, sophisticated custom wallpaper mural from Photowall elevated the whole look!

Funny quote and humor on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #humor #funnyquote

How to Add Interest to a Boring Space

Just how boring was the finished basement when we inherited it? They didn’t even snap a photo for the real estate listing, but it was a little uglier than the media room adjacent to it:

BEFORE

Just a big beige box with a little window. Our adult sons took turns using the space as a bedroom before they launched…

BEHR Sterling paint color on accent wall in a bedroom.
BEHR Sterling on a wall in a bedroom in finished basement

So it could only get better!

But I wanted to give it a new identity as a BONUS ROOM with BONUS beauty from this gorgeous tree mural. We ripped out the carpet for new no-fuss flooring (I’ll share it another post) and added zones for yoga, TV, crafts, and work/study.

Zones for different activities in our bonus room mean this space can live large - come see the pretty mural we just installed - Hello Lovely.

Before & After Mural from Photowall

Here’s the same wall BEFORE:

before - wall in bonus room
BEFORE
Dramatic wallpaper mural from Photowall in bonus room with muted grey and white trees - Hello Lovely Studio. #murals #wallpapermural #grisaille #accentwall
AFTER
Funny quote and humor on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #humor #funnyquote
Statement wall with Photowall mural (Beauty Everywhere) transformed this basement bonus room in our home - Hello Lovely. #murals #statementwall #wallpaper

What a difference thanks to Photowall and the South African design studio Summer House who created this “Beauty Everywhere” design!!!!

before - wall in bonus room
BEFORE

Oh, and I failed to mention the room has a zone for…swinging:

Indoor swing and dramatic tree mural in our finished basement - Hello Lovely Studio.

Was it an Easy DIY Statement Wall?

The only hard part of the whole process was deciding on a design because there are so many amazing choices. You can even upload your own photo or design! Even if you narrow it down to trees (are you EVEN surprised it is what I chose!?!), there will be plenty of options.

Photowall wallpaper mural design called Beauty Everywhere - Hello Lovely Studio. #grisaille #trees #mural
“Beauty Everywhere” design from Photowall Sweden

This was the perfect tone on tone choice since I was after a serene, freshened traditional take on grisaille.

Grey and white trees in this wallpaper mural impart a calm, Scandi, modern look to an otherwise boring bonus room in our basement - Hello Lovely Studio. #wallpapermural #grisaille #trees #greyandwhite #accentwall

This handy kit you order from Photowall sets you up for installation success, and paste is included with the wallpaper.

Supplies ordered from Photowall Sweden for installation of a wallpaper mural - Hello Lovely Studio.
Supplies to install mural ordered from Photowall

The high quality paper arrives in a roll, and you simply cut on the dotted lines which makes the numbered panels easy peasy to handle.

Funny quote and humor on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #humor #funnyquote

How to Install an Easy Accent Wall Mural

Before and after easy accent wall wallpaper mural from Photowall - Hello Lovely Studio. #wallpaper #mural #grisaille #accentwall #statementwall

I cleared this far side of the room, cut the panels, and assembled the tools, while my husband hung each panel of the mural.

wallpaper kit from PHOTOWALL
during mural installation - Hello Lovely
Paste is painted on the wall before each panel gets pressed into place
Wallpaper mural panels ready to paste to wall - Hello Lovely Studio.
I did the kindergartener part of the installation: cutting the paper on the dotted lines

He found that trimming the excess of each panel of the mural at the ceiling as he moved from left to right worked well while the paper was wet with paste.

during mural installation - Hello Lovely

Time Required for the Project

How long did this DIY statement wall installation take in all?

Zones for different activities in our bonus room mean this space can live large - come see the pretty mural we just installed - Hello Lovely.

Just two hours for the 13′ wall.

A corner for yoga and relaxing in a bonusu room with tree mural - Hello Lovely Studio.
Funny quote and humor on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #humor #funnyquote

Cost of a Wallpaper Mural

I chose Photowall’s premium paper, and an expanse like ours costs around $350. So if you’re willing to devote a couple hours of labor, not too shabby!

Here’s the video that shows how it is done:

Here's an idea for a boring bonus room that doesn't get much light and needed a focal point: a tree mural from Photowall - Hello Lovely Studio. #wallpaper #accentwall #bonusroom

Helpful Tips for Design & Installation from Hello Lovely

  • Thoughtfully discern before browsing designs whether you want to cover the entire wall or install the mural above molding. If it is a wall with furniture, then it may be sensible to accent the upper wall only.
  • Order multiple samples before deciding on a final design. You’ll be better able to see if the colors are right for your space. Sometimes the way colors appear on a tablet or desktop or phone screen can vary.
  • Don’t freak out when your wallpaper arrives should the design appear “too blurry” or “too abstract.” You can’t properly evaluate a small expanse so be aware the complete look will indeed come together.
  • If your walls are textured, the panels may not adhere as well. I highly recommend sanding as much texture as possible before wallpapering. My walls in this bonus room were flat, and installation was quicker and easier than the bedroom mural which went over textured walls.
  • Don’t forget to add installation supplies to your order.
  • Don’t add a gallon of water all at once to the powdered paste. Instead, after adding paste to a bucket, mix in water gradually and give it a few minutes to thicken once you have a smooth consistency (you may require a little less than a gallon).
  • The first panel you install is extra important: get it level and straight since the remainder of panels will be lined up with it.
  • Brush on a liberal amount of paste to each wall section before you place a panel. If the paper isn’t sticking, brushing paste on the paper as well may help.
Our boring bonus room in the finished basement just got a whole lot prettier with a Photowall mural - Hello Lovely.

How Do We Like the Result?

We adore this mural and the transformation!

I’m still decorating the other side of this bonus room (there’s a desk area), and because of how it is shaping up, my husband may move his home office to the space!

Detail of the beautiful trees in the Photowall mural in our finished basement - Hello Lovely. #finishedbasementideas #mural #wallpaper

Lots of folks have bonus rooms like ours that become glorified warehouses for storage. Why not give it a variety of functions and then make it inviting?

Come see how I gave personality and character to a boring bonus room in our basement - Hello Lovely Studio. #statementwall #wallpaper #finishedbasementideas

Thinking About Sprucing Up a Spare Room?

I hope this helps you if you are considering refreshing a bonus room, extra room, or any room that lacks architectural interest or charm. Did you see how I transformed a tiny awkward bedroom in our new house HERE to give myself my own closet?

Industrial stools and a counter height table in our finished basement with statement wall (a mural from Photowall!) - come check out the before/after on Hello Lovely.

Sometimes all a space needs to be elevated is a dramatic dose of nature’s beauty and a few hours of smoothing it on!

Neutral laminate floors, a mix of woven textures, and a sophisticated mural (Photowall) customized this finished basement space - Hello Lovely Studio. #wallpaper #mural #trees
Funny quote and humor on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #humor #funnyquote
If you don't think wallpaper can transform a space - come see the before and after with this sophisticated mural - Hello Lovely. #murals #wallpaper #finishedbasements #accentwall

Stay tuned for more about this space where I share the sources for furniture/decor.

Wallpaper Mural - see how easy it was to transform and customize a wall in our finished basement in just 2 hours - Hello Lovely. #diy #accentwall #mural
PIN me!
Beautiful wallpaper mural with grey and white tree landscape - Hello Lovely Studio.

Thank you so much, Photowall! I love the quality and artistry of your beautiful designs which make it easy to customize and elevate the interiors in our home!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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8 Comments

  1. Robin
    May 4, 2021 / 10:40 am

    I absolutely adore this! It is stunning! I can’t wait to see the room completed—❤️❤️❤️

  2. May 13, 2021 / 8:21 am

    Oh, Michele, this is absolutely gorgeous! I love it so much. (Would you like to pop over and throw one of these up on my wall for me? haha) The room is stunning, and the mural wall is perfect. I’ve featured it at the TFT party. 🙂 Hope you’re feeling well today. xo

    • Michele
      Author
      May 13, 2021 / 9:16 am

      Thank you so much, Pam! And I’ll be right over to install a tree mural at your place! 🙂

    • Michele
      Author
      May 5, 2022 / 8:23 am

      Thanks, Elizabeth. I am not sure it is clear that this project was done in our former home! The only thing done at the new place is my closet which I shared the day before. I love these Photowall murals because they feel like such a modern take on a traditional grisaille mural tradition. And it truly takes just a couple of hours! The easiest wallpaper we have done. 🙂

  3. May 13, 2022 / 1:08 pm

    Michele,
    What a transformation that room went through. I love that tree wall paper. You did good.
    Hugs,
    Bev

    • Michele
      Author
      May 13, 2022 / 4:22 pm

      Thanks so much for reading and the encouragement, Bev. Happy weekend, friend.

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing