How to Measure Your Wall to Order a Mural: Step-by-Step Guide

Ordering a custom mural begins with a crucial step that many people underestimate: taking measurements. An error of a few centimeters can result in a mural that is too short, too large, or poorly positioned relative to the room's elements. This guide explains how to measure your wall accurately to order with confidence.

What You'll Need

• A tape measure (at least 3 meters)
• A pencil and paper (or your phone for notes)
• Ideally, a second person to hold the other end of the tape
• A spirit level (optional but useful)

Step 1: Decide on the Area to Cover

Before measuring, precisely decide what you want to cover:

Option A: Full Wall from Floor to Ceiling

The mural covers the entire wall surface, from one end to the other. Maximum effect, but requires the largest amount of material.

Option B: Full Wall but Half-Height

The mural runs across the entire width of the wall but only up to a certain height (e.g., up to the height of a decorative picture rail, or up to 180-200 cm). Ideal for rooms with very high ceilings.

Option C: Centered Partial Area

The mural is positioned centrally on the wall, surrounded by bare paint on both sides. This option is popular for headboards where the mural is slightly wider than the bed.

Option D: Specific Area Around a Piece of Furniture

The mural frames or highlights a piece of furniture—a sideboard, dresser, or sofa. In this case, measurements must take into account the dimensions of the furniture.

Step 2: Measure the Width

Measure the width of the area to be covered starting from a precise point:

• For a full wall: measure from wall to wall (corner to corner), along the bottom of the wall
• For a partial area: measure the exact space you wish to cover
• Check if the wall is perfectly rectangular by also measuring at half-height and at the top—old walls are sometimes slightly sloped

Tip: Add 2-3 cm to each end if you expect the mural to meet a corner—this allows for adjustment during installation.

Step 3: Measure the Height

The height is measured from the floor to the ceiling (or to the height you have chosen):

• Measure in three different places (left, center, right) as the floor and ceiling are not always perfectly parallel
• Note the largest measurement—this is the one you will use for your order
• If you have a baseboard, measure from the top of the baseboard if you do not wish to cover it

Tip: Add 5 cm to the top and 5 cm to the bottom of your final measurement—this extra will allow you to adjust and cut cleanly during installation.

Step 4: Identify Obstacles

Identify and note the position of all elements that interrupt the wall surface:

• Electrical outlets and switches — note their position (height from the floor, distance from the left edge of the wall)
• Windows and doors — if your mural needs to go around a window, indicate its dimensions and exact position
• Radiators — if the radiator is wall-mounted, decide whether the mural goes behind it or stops before it
• Recessed spotlights — on a low ceiling, spotlights may require cutouts

Step 5: Create a Diagram

Draw a simple diagram of your wall with all measurements noted. This diagram will be useful when ordering and during installation. Include:

• Overall dimensions (width × height)
• The position of obstacles with their dimensions
• The planned starting point for installation (usually the center of the wall or a corner)

Step 6: Calculate the Total Surface Area

Area = Width × Height

Example: a wall 350 cm wide × 250 cm high = 8.75 m²

This information is useful for estimating the number of panels. Generally, our murals are cut into panels 50 to 60 cm wide, which means our example wall would require approximately 6 to 7 panels.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Measuring only once — always measure twice, order once
• Forgetting baseboards — if you want the mural to start at the floor (under the baseboard), you may need to temporarily remove it
• Ignoring unevenness — old houses rarely have perfect 90° angles; check with a level
• Confusing cm and mm — always note your measurements in cm with decimals (e.g., 347.5 cm, not 3m47)
• Not planning for excess — always order with a safety margin of 5-10 cm in each dimension

Order with Confidence

Once your measurements are carefully taken, you can order your mural with confidence. At Décor Imprimé, each mural is cut to your exact dimensions. If you have any questions about your measurements or the number of panels needed, our team is available to help you before you order.

For the next step, consult our guide how to install self-adhesive wallpaper in 5 steps to be ready on installation day. And if you are still hesitating between different formats, our guide how to choose the size of your mural will give you all the keys.

Order your custom mural — fast delivery, easy installation, guaranteed results.