Kids' Photo Wall Mural

Turn a cherished photograph into a uniquely personal wall mural fit for a kids' space.
Photo Enlarged to Serve as Wallpaper

Photo Enlarged to Serve as Wallpaper

This small home office area features a custom wallpaper made by enlarging a favorite photo. A pair of midcentury Modern chairs pulled up to a small tulip-style table is the perfect spot for paying bills or working on a laptop.

Materials Needed:

  • high-resolution favorite photo
  • wallpaper paste
  • wallpaper primer
  • roller handle
  • roller cover
  • paint pan
  • pan liner
  • utility knife
  • bucket of warm, soapy water
  • sponge
  • spackle and putty knife
  • medium-grit sanding block
  • notepad and pencil
  • level
  • wallpaper-smoothing tool

Select Photograph

Choose an image with people or objects that are easily recognizable from far away. Graphic shapes work best. Tip: Black-and-white images are a great choice because they'll work with any color scheme.

Have Image Printed

Drop image off at a local digital printing house; request that image be printed onto UV-resistant vinyl.

Prep Wall

Create a smooth wall surface by filling any nail or screw holes with spackle using a putty knife. Once dry, sand spackled areas with medium-grit sanding block. Pour wallpaper primer into pan liner, add roller cover to roller handle, dip in paint, then prime wall.

Cut Vinyl to Size

Use tape measure to determine height and width of wall. Jot dimensions down in notepad with pencil. Lay vinyl out on long, flat surface. Referring to dimensions, mark vinyl to size with pencil and level, leaving an extra two inches all the way around to account for waste. Cut vinyl to size along pencil mark.

Add Paste

With precut vinyl laid out on a long flat, surface, add wallpaper paste to back using roller. Allow five minutes for paste to cure.

DIY Wall Mural

Apply Wallpaper Paste

With precut vinyl laid out on a long flat, surface, add wallpaper paste to back using roller. Allow five minutes for paste to cure.

Dry Fit

With the help of a friend, hold vinyl in place on wall, assuring proper fit.

Attach and Cut

Once proper fit is ensured, press vinyl in place. Use wallpaper smoothing tool to remove all air bubbles from vinyl. Cut away excess along molding and baseboards using utility knife.

DIY Photo Wall Mural

Attach and Cut

Once proper fit is ensured, press vinyl in place. Use wallpaper smoothing tool to remove all air bubbles from vinyl. Cut away excess along molding and baseboards using utility knife.

Clean Surface

Once vinyl is adhered, remove paste residue from surface using sponge and hot soapy water.

DIY Photo Wall Mural

Clean Off Residue

Once vinyl is adhered, remove paste residue from surface using sponge and hot soapy water.

Next Up

Child's Favorite Toy Photo Project

Turn a child's treasured belonging into eye-catching artwork with a large printed photo and basic lumber.

Stair Post Kid's Desk

Learn how wooden posts, plywood and a little patience can create a custom, kid-size desk.

Easy Clip-Art Rails

Create a stylish and functional spot to hang children's artwork, photos, awards or even chores or homework with these easy-to-build ruler clip-art rails.

DIY Upholstered Toddler Daybed

Reading spot by day, comfortable padded bed by night. Repurpose a standard crib mattress and bedding to create your own upholstered toddler daybed with simple tools and no sewing.

Kids' Chalkboard Lamps

Create a convenient spot for leaving messages for your little one by covering a lamp base with chalkboard paint.

Create a Colorful Chalkboard Dresser

Give a boring, old dresser a playful new style with colorful chalkboard paint.

How to Create a Painted Kids' Room Monogram

Add a uniquely personal touch to a nursery or kids' room by painting their initials on the wall.

How to Upgrade Ready-to-Assemble Bookshelves

Give basic bookshelves the designer treatment with paint and added molding.

How to Create Embellished Roller Shades

Turn basic roller shades into stylish window treatments by simply adding decorative trim.

How to Build Storage Blocks For a Kid's Room

These cube tables are easy to make and are perfect to use as a nightstand, toy storage or a footstool.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.