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

Ordering a custom wall mural starts with one crucial step that a lot of people underestimate: taking accurate measurements. An error of just a few centimetres can result in a mural that's too short, too large, or poorly positioned relative to the elements in the room. This guide walks you through measuring your wall precisely so you can order with confidence.

What You'll Need

• A tape measure (at least 3 metres / 10 feet)
• A pencil and paper (or your phone to jot notes)
• Ideally, a second person to hold the other end of the tape
• A level (optional but helpful)

Step 1: Decide on the Area to Cover

Before measuring, decide exactly what you want to cover:

Option A: Full wall, floor to ceiling

The wall mural covers the entire wall surface, edge to edge. Maximum effect, but requires the largest amount of material.

Option B: Full width, partial height

The mural runs the full width of the wall but only up to a certain height (for example, up to a decorative chair rail, or up to 180-200 cm, roughly 6 feet). Ideal for rooms with very high ceilings.

Option C: Centered partial zone

The mural is centered on the wall, surrounded by bare painted wall on both sides. This option is popular for headboard walls, where the mural is slightly wider than the bed.

Option D: Specific zone around a piece of furniture

The mural frames or highlights a piece of furniture — a buffet, a dresser, a sofa. In this case, your measurements need to account for the furniture's dimensions.

Step 2: Measure the Width

Measure the width of the area you want to cover, starting from a precise point:

• For a full wall: measure from wall to wall (corner to corner), running the tape along the bottom of the wall
• For a partial zone: measure the exact space you want to cover
• Check whether the wall is perfectly rectangular by also measuring at mid-height and near the top — older walls are sometimes slightly out of square

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

Height is measured from floor to ceiling (or up to whatever height you've chosen):

• Measure at three different points (left, center, right), since the floor and ceiling aren't always perfectly parallel
• Note the largest measurement — that's the one you'll use for your order
• If you have baseboards, measure from the top of the baseboard if you don't want the mural to cover it

Tip: Add 5 cm at the top and 5 cm at the bottom to your final measurement — this extra margin lets you adjust and trim cleanly during installation.

Step 4: Note the Obstacles

Identify and note the position of everything that interrupts the wall surface:

• Outlets and light switches — note their position (height from the floor, distance from the left edge of the wall)
• Windows and doors — if your mural needs to wrap around a window, note its exact dimensions and position
• Radiators — if the radiator is wall-mounted, decide whether the mural runs behind it or stops before it
• Recessed lighting — on a low ceiling, pot lights may require cutouts

Step 5: Draw a Diagram

Sketch a simple diagram of your wall with all your measurements noted. This diagram will come in handy when ordering and when installing. Include:

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

Step 6: Calculate the Total 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 needed. Our wall murals are generally cut into panels 50 to 60 cm wide, which means our example wall would need roughly 6 to 7 panels.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Measuring only once — always measure twice, order once
• Forgetting the baseboards — if you want the mural to start right at the floor (below the baseboard), you may need to remove it temporarily
• Ignoring uneven walls — older homes rarely have perfectly square 90° corners; double-check with a level
• Mixing up units — always record your measurements in cm with decimals (e.g., 347.5 cm, not 3m47)
• Skipping the buffer — always order with a 5-10 cm safety margin in each dimension

Order with Confidence

Once your measurements are taken carefully, you can order your wall mural with total confidence. At Décor Imprimé, every mural is cut to your exact dimensions. If you have any questions about your measurements or how many panels you'll need, our team is available to help before you order.

For your next step, check out our guide how to install peel-and-stick wallpaper in 5 steps so you're ready on installation day. And if you're still torn between different sizes, our guide how to choose the right size for your wall mural will give you all the answers.

Order your made-to-measure wall mural — fast shipping, easy installation, guaranteed results.