Decorative Wall Murals

(HIT) - The use of murals for decorating is currently enjoying a revitalized popularity. They are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to give a room atmosphere, and the sense of expanded space.

Based upon various studies by manufacturers, decorative wall mural purchasers are usually young married couples on a relatively tight budget. Oftentimes, they have never purchased a wall covering before. Wall murals get the most mileage from the decorating dollar and make even a sparsely furnished room seem complete. A mural and a gallon or two of paint are all they need.

Decorative Wall Murals Are Back With A Twist

Artist-created decorative wall murals became popular a few decades ago, then faded from prominence. Now, a growing interest in the environment and the outdoors has stimulated demand for scenes that bring the outdoors indoors. Wall mural designs are available that are suitable for living rooms, children’s rooms, family rooms, and other areas such as home offices.

For example, you can go with a scenic view from nature to transform a plain room into a seemingly choice vacation spot. And, at the same, add "acres" to the size of the room. It’s all an optical illusion, of course. And the concept is actually centuries old, says Environmental Graphics, a Minnesota company that is North America’s largest manufacturer of decorative wall murals.

"Back then, French art patrons used to commission painters to adorn their walls with eye-catching fantasies," explains the company. "This art technique was known as ‘trompe l‘oeil’, which literally means ‘trick of the eye.’ And it was terribly expensive. Part of the appeal of our photographic Wall Murals is that we deal with reality, not an artist’s concept of reality. These murals allow the environment to be brought into the home. And if the Wall Mural features plant life, putting real plants in front will enhance it’s realism even more."

Modern Wall Murals Are Easy To Install

Environmental Graphics combines the skills of talented photographers, with laser scanning, artistic lithography, and other techniques, to produce highly detailed decorative wall mural images that emphasize an illusion of texture and space. "All at an affordable price that would have had those old French aristocrats eating their hearts out," says the company.

The wall murals that give the greatest sense of space expansion are the ones that lead the eye furthest beyond the wall. Good examples are "Balloons in Flight", which features colorful hot-air balloons, and "Cinnamon Bay", which pictures a secluded cove in the Virgin Islands. The eye is drawn to the horizon, miles in the distance.

Most of Environmental Graphic’s decorative wall murals measure over 8 feet tall and 13 feet wide. A question asked often by do-it-yourself decorators is "What can I do if my wall isn’t that big?" That problem is easily solved by trimming the mural, or by wrapping it around a corner. The instructions included with each mural give several options for hanging the mural, as well as tips on trimming around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. A flush door can easily be covered to match the wall.

Which Wall Mural Is Right For You?

"Only you can make that decision," says the company, although they do offer some interesting suggestions. "Going by your favorite season is a good bet. Some people love springtime. Others enjoy the mellow mood of autumn. Or, if one scene reminds you of things or activities you enjoy, then that should be your choice." Other designs feature sports, space travel, and an updated map of the world.

"And keep the ‘temperature’ of the wall mural in mind. ‘River Portage’ shows the northern woods, and a raging, white-water river. It’s definitely a cooling mural, and not one for someone wanting to curl up by the fire. ‘Hawaiian Sunset’, on the other hand, is sure to warm a room suffering from northern exposure."

"Any ‘do-it-yourselfer’ can put up a decorative wall mural," adds the company. "It’s actually easier than wallpaper. It’s more cost-effective, and the end result is much more of a conversation piece." For more information about decorative wall murals, visit Environmental Graphics online at www.environmentalgraphics.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center