Choosing a kids' wall mural should be the fun part of decorating a child's room. The tricky bit, for most parents, is knowing which design will still work in two years' time, whether it'll fit the wall without an awkward gap, and how simple it actually is to put up (or take down). This guide covers all of that, so you can shop with confidence.
All children's wall murals at Wallsauce are made-to-measure, printed to your exact dimensions, and available in a range of materials including peel-and-stick.
Kids' murals by age: what works in a nursery, toddler room and beyond
The right design depends as much on your child's age as their interests. Getting this wrong is the main reason parents find themselves redecorating sooner than planned.
0-2: nursery
Newborns respond most to high contrast, but nursery murals are really chosen by parents. Soft palettes, gentle animals, and botanical scenes tend to hold up longest. Think calm woodland scenes like our Forest Jive mural, muted safari animals like Savannah Joy, or an underwater scene like Gentle Ocean in navy and teal. Avoid very busy, highly saturated designs for this age group; they can feel overwhelming in a room where a child sleeps.
Longevity tip: choose a design with a neutral-to-soft background colour. It will feel appropriate when the room later converts from nursery to toddler bedroom.
3-6: toddler and playroom
This is when personality kicks in fast. Animals, dinosaurs, jungles, and space are popular and stay relevant for years. Designs like Animals in the Jungle, Noah's Ark Jumbo, or the Space Odyssey mural work brilliantly as a feature wall behind the bed or across a playroom wall. Bright colour is a positive here; it encourages engagement.
Longevity tip: opt for a theme broad enough to avoid becoming "too babyish" overnight. A rich jungle scene tends to age better than cartoon characters from a single film.
7-12: school age
Children at this age often want input in the decision, which is a good sign. Maps, space, ocean/underwater worlds, and fantasy themes (knights, dragons, fairies) sit well here. Our Political World Map and Our Solar System murals double up as educational pieces without looking like a classroom. The Hidden Treasure fairy mural by Philip Straub is one of our best-selling children's designs for good reason; it holds its appeal across a wide age range.
13+: teen
Teens typically move away from illustrated murals towards more graphic, abstract or photographic styles. The Indigo Mountains and Misty Pines murals work particularly well here. At this stage, peel-and-stick becomes the material of choice because tastes can shift quickly.
Choose your mural style: animals, space, maps, fantasy and more
Not sure which theme to choose? Here’s a quick guide to the most popular kids’ mural styles and where they work best:
- Animals & wildlife – Perfect for nurseries, toddler bedrooms and playrooms. Popular picks include Waterhole, Africa Selfie, Noah’s Ark Jumbo and Forest Jive.
- Ocean & underwater – A versatile choice for all ages, and particularly great in bathrooms. Try Underwater Dream VI, Underwater Scenery or Kelp Forest.
- Dinosaurs – Ideal for toddlers through to school age. Explore our dinosaur collection for prehistoric favourites.
- Space & planets – Great for toddlers through to teens, with designs such as Space Odyssey, Our Solar System, Planets in Space and The Astronaut.
- Fantasy & fairytale – Magical murals for pre-school and school-age children, including Hidden Treasure, A Winter Wonderland and Unicorn Bridge.
- Knights, castles & pirates – A fun choice for school-age children. Browse our Knights & Castle and Pirates collections.
- Maps & world – Ideal for school age through to teens, with designs such as Political World Map and Coloured Map of the World.
- Glitter & graphics – Bright, playful options that work from pre-school through to the teen years, including Rainbow and Pastel Glitter and Slanted Blue and Purple Glitter.
- Sports – A natural fit for school-age children, with sporty designs such as Two Football Players Striking the Ball.
Where do kids’ murals work best?
- Behind the bed: Go bold with a single-scene design like Space Odyssey, Hidden Treasure or Waterhole.
- Playrooms & reading corners: Choose bright, immersive themes such as Animals in the Jungle, Bookshelf or Toy Brick Fun.
- Shared bedrooms: Opt for neutral-leaning designs that are easy for everyone to love, such as maps, woodland or ocean themes.
- Nurseries: Soft palettes and gentle subject matter work beautifully, with options like Forest Jive, Savannah Joy and Jungle Jive.
How to measure for a kids' wall mural in the UK: checklist before you buy
Getting the size right first time saves both time and money. Every Wallsauce mural is printed to your exact measurements, so here's what to do before you order:
Measuring checklist:
- Measure the full width of the wall in centimetres, from corner to corner (or to the point where you want the mural to end)
- Measure the full height of the wall from floor to ceiling
- Subtract any areas you do NOT want to cover (e.g., skirting boards, coving, areas above a door frame if the mural ends there)
- Note the position of any sockets, switches, or radiators if these interrupt the wall surface
- Decide whether you want the mural to cover wall-to-wall or just a feature section
- Check your wall surface is in good condition (no flaking paint, damp patches, or bubbling)
- Confirm your material choice (peel-and-stick or traditional) based on the above
Not confident about your measurements? Wallsauce offers MeasureSafe sizing support to help you get the dimensions right before you commit to printing.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Measuring in inches then ordering in centimetres (or vice versa) without converting
- Forgetting to account for the skirting board if you want the mural to start at floor level
- Ordering based on a rough estimate without measuring to the nearest centimetre
- Not checking whether the wall has a socket or light switch in the middle of the design area
- Assuming a standard wall height of 240 cm without measuring (many UK homes, especially older properties, vary considerably)
You can also use our free room mock-up service before you place your order, so you can see how the design will look in your actual space. Get in touch now to find out more.
Are children's wall murals safe? What to look for
Safety is a fair concern for any parent decorating a nursery or child's bedroom. Here's what to check:
Fire performance: UK and EU decorative wallcoverings are assessed under BS EN 15102, the harmonised standard for decorative wallcoverings in roll and panel form. Fire reaction is classified using the EN 13501-1 Euroclass system. Ask your supplier for the fire classification documentation for the specific material you're ordering. This matters more in commercial settings (nurseries, schools, childminders) than in domestic rooms, but it's good practice to check.
VOCs and indoor air quality: Look for wallcoverings printed with low-VOC or water-based inks. Wallsauce murals are printed with environmentally friendly inks, reducing indoor air pollutant levels compared to solvent-based alternatives. If you're decorating a nursery used by a newborn, allow adequate ventilation after installation before the room is occupied.
PVC content: Wallsauce offers PVC-free material options. PVC-free wallcoverings avoid the plasticiser off-gassing associated with some vinyl products, making them a sensible choice for a child's sleeping space.
Quick safety checklist for nurseries:
- Choose PVC-free options where available
- Confirm the material is printed with water-based or low-VOC inks
- Ask your supplier for fire classification documentation (EN 13501-1 Euroclass rating)
- Ventilate the room for 24-48 hours after installation before use by a baby or young child
- Ensure the mural is fully adhered with no lifting edges that a young child could pull
Realistic maintenance and longevity: how your mural ages with your child
Cleaning: Most Wallsauce mural materials can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or excessive moisture, particularly near seams. Traditional (paste-the-wall) murals tend to be slightly more robust for cleaning in high-traffic areas; check the care instructions included with your specific material. Check out our wallpaper cleaning guide for more tips.
Longevity by material: Traditional paste-the-wall murals, when properly installed on a prepared surface, will typically last the lifetime of the decoration cycle. Peel-and-stick murals hold up well under normal conditions but are designed to be removed and replaced, which is part of their appeal for growing children.
Design longevity tips:
- Choose designs with a neutral or classic subject matter (maps, woodland, ocean, space) rather than trend-led graphics that date quickly
- Opt for a colour palette that coordinates with the existing furniture, flooring or bedding rather than relying on a single accent colour
- Consider how the theme scales; a design that reads as playful at age 4 should still feel appropriate at age 8 or 9
- If in doubt, choose a design that works more as a scenic backdrop than a character-led illustration
When to change the mural: Peel-and-stick makes this decision much lower stakes. If the design no longer suits your child, remove it and order a new one sized to the same wall. With traditional wallpaper, factor in the standard wallpaper removal process (soaking and stripping) before redecorating.
FAQs about children's wall murals in the UK
Can I remove a children's wall mural without damaging the paint?
Peel-and-stick murals are designed to be removable, but the outcome depends on the condition of your existing wall paint. If the paint is well-adhered and in good condition, the mural should peel away cleanly. If the paint is old, flaking, or applied over an unsealed surface, there's a chance some paint may lift. Test a small area first if you're unsure.
Is a wall mural suitable for a nursery?
Yes. Choose materials printed with low-VOC inks and, where available, PVC-free options. Ventilate the room for 24-48 hours after installation. Peel-and-stick is a popular choice for nurseries because it's easy to install and can be changed as your child grows.
Do you offer custom sizing?
Every Wallsauce mural is made-to-measure. You enter your exact wall dimensions when you order, and the mural is printed to fit. There are no standard panel sizes to work around.
How do I measure my wall correctly?
Measure the full width and height in centimetres, accounting for any skirting boards, coving, doors, sockets, or switches. Our MeasureSafe service can help if you're unsure. Take measurements twice and use the larger figure if there's a discrepancy.
What's the best material for renters?
Peel-and-stick is the better option for rented properties. It's designed for removal at the end of a tenancy, making it suitable for most UK rental situations. Check your tenancy agreement before making any decorating changes.
How long does installation take?
A standard children's bedroom feature wall typically takes 1-3 hours, depending on wall size and your experience level. Peel-and-stick tends to go up faster than paste-the-wall because there's no paste mixing or waiting time. Full installation instructions are included with every order.
Is the wallpaper washable?
Most Wallsauce mural materials are wipe-clean with a damp cloth. Avoid soaking the seams and don't use abrasive cleaning products. Check the care information for your specific material if you have a particularly high-traffic wall (e.g., a low playroom wall that children touch regularly).
Can I see how the mural will look in my room before I buy?
Yes. Wallsauce offers a free room mock-up service so you can visualise the mural in your actual space before placing an order. This is one of the most useful tools for reducing the risk of ordering the wrong design.
What fire safety standards apply to wallcoverings in the UK?
UK and EU wallcoverings are assessed under BS EN 15102. Fire reaction performance is classified using the EN 13501-1 Euroclass system. For domestic use, standard residential fire performance is typically sufficient. For commercial settings such as nurseries or schools, check the specific Euroclass rating required for your building's fire risk assessment.
Do you offer children's murals as peel-and-stick in the UK?
Yes. Peel-and-stick is available across the children's range, including nursery designs, space and planet murals, animal themes, maps, fantasy, and more. Select peel-and-stick at the material selection stage when ordering.
Nordic Nature Brown White mural
Choosing a wall mural for your child’s room is about more than simply finding a cute design. It’s an opportunity to create a space that reflects their personality, sparks their imagination and grows with them.
Whether you opt for playful animals, magical landscapes, colourful characters or something a little more timeless, the right mural can completely transform their room. And with made-to-measure designs available, creating a room they’ll love can be much simpler than you might think.
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