28 November 2019 Tags:

We create a lot of custom wall murals for Cityline and this mural of stairs is no exception.  For so many decorating devotees, it’s especially important to create a unique wallpaper that no one else has.  Something you can’t get from the big box stores or that you won’t see on your neighbour’s walls.

Keep scrolling to learn how you can create custom murals from a stock image you find online and watch how Kimberley Seldon uses this custom staircase mural on Cityline.

Watch the Custom Wallpaper on Cityline

“I called our good friends at About Murals and I said, ‘could you make a staircase for us?’ and they came up with this beautiful mural!” says award-winning interior designer, TV personality and podcast host, Kimberley Seldon. (0:18)

Watch the entire episode to see how she uses this custom wallpaper to showcase different places to hang your Christmas stockings if you don’t have a mantle.

How to Create Custom Wall Murals like Kimberley Seldon

Kimberley Seldon and Adrienne Scanlan in front of a custom wallpaper from About Murals

Step 1: Visit iStock

Use iStock to find an image to turn into custom wall murals from About Murals

The first step in creating custom wall murals is to find an image you love.  We recommend using iStock because they have millions of images to choose from and amazing filters so you can find exactly what you want.

Step 2: Search Images by Keyword

A mobile phone is placed on top of a keyboard and the word "Keywords" is above

When you land on iStock, there is a search bar for you to type in keywords.  Look for an image for your custom wallpaper design.

For this episode of Cityline, Kimberley and the producers search keywords like, “hallway staircase 3D.”

Step 3: Filter the Image Results

A closeup of keys on a keyboard. One key has a photo of a black and blue funnel.

Next, you want to refine the results using their filter:

Orientation

Do you want the custom mural to fit perfectly snug on your wall?  Then choose an orientation that best matches your wall size.

If you have a wide wall, like 13’W x 8’H, you want a Horizontal Orientation.  If you have a tall wall, like 6’W x 11’H, you want a Vertical Orientation.

For Kimberley’s segment, she only needs to cover 6’W x 8’H of the wall, so she selects a Vertical Orientation.

Image Size

Do you want a crisp, clear mural on your wall (rather than blurry and pixelated)?  Then filter by XXL image size – you want the highest resolution possible.

Step 4: Choose your Custom Wallpaper Design

A rendering of a wooden staircase in a hallway

This stock photo of a staircase happened to be THE one for Kimberley and Cityline.  You can scroll through millions of exclusive images to design your own wallpaper.

Step 5: For Best Custom Mural Printing Results…

When looking for images for your custom wall murals, look at things such as texture and file size

Images with a lot of texture make the best custom wallpaper.  Take the mural of stairs that Cityline create as an example: they use an image with textured wallpaper versus a plain white wall.

Also, an image size/quality of 20MB or more gives the most crisp and clear effect.  To figure out the size, click on the image you like and look at the File Size.  For example, multiply 4375 x 4964 pixels to get 21,717,500 or 21MB.

Step 6: Unsure?  Give us a shout!

A woman wearing pink overalls puts her hands on her hips

Before you purchase the image for your custom wallpaper mural, you can email us the URL of the image you like.  We’ll look at it and let you know if it’s appropriate for custom wallpaper printing.

Once we give you the go ahead, simply purchase the image and email it to us. 

Then…

Step 7: Purchase Your Custom Wallpaper

You need to print your image onto wallpaper, right?  This is when you order the custom wallpaper from our website.

The price is based on size and includes basic formatting and the wallpaper itself.

You get a free digital proof to approve before printing or you can buy a physical wallpaper sample.

Custom wall murals ship within 10 business days after your approval.

Step 8: Hang Custom Mural

Adrienne Hanging Custom Wallpaper on Cityline set - About Murals

We always hang bespoke wallpaper for the experts at Cityline, and offer installation services for clients in the greater Hamilton / Toronto areas, too.  If you live elsewhere, visit the Wallcovering Installers Association.

BUT these wallpaper murals are easy to hang!  Follow the step-by-step installation video to transform your walls in an afternoon.

Two Other Ways to Create your own Wallpaper

  1. Add your logo, a graphic or fave quote over an in-stock wallpaper mural (like celebrity designers Colin and Justin)
  2. From your own painting or photograph (like celebrity designer Jackie Glass)

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About the Author: 


Adrienne is the owner and lead installer at About Murals, a Canadian wallpaper mural company specializing in commercial and residential spaces. Her work has been featured on Cityline, HGTV, The DIY Network, CTV and The Toronto Sun. She enjoys sharing design advice, real wallpaper examples, and practical installation tips based on hands-on project experience.

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