The DIY decor trend that's turning wallpaper into masterpieces

Big murals and bold wallpaper patterns look great as full accent walls. But people who might have normally gone for a scattered gallery wall look are now opting for wall murals and installing them in large frames — like a statement piece in an art museum. 

This creative way of displaying wall art is popular right now on Instagram and on TikTok as an emerging trend. 

Whether it's a smaller framed print to sit behind the bed headboard or a huge framed mural that almost covers a full wall, the trend gives everyone a new source of inspiration for making a plain, flat wall space a lot more interesting. 

Some people are even splitting their mural into separate frames, creating an unusual feature wall with a raised panel effect. It's a contemporary and cost-effective take on the kind of elegant wall decor you'd find in stately homes.

Take on the framed wallpaper trend with this simple tutorial by Lauren from Hovia:

Mark out on the wall where the framed mural is going to sit with a long ruler and spirit level to make sure it's hung straight.

Using the same measurements, mark out on your pieces of wood where you'll be making your 45-degree cuts. These cuts mean that the ends of the four wooden pieces can all fit together as a frame.

Tip: Wood pieces already moulded into decorative frame styles are easy to find at craft and DIY shops.

Place a wood piece in a mitre box, align it to your 45-degree angle mark, then saw it. Repeat till you have your four frame pieces.

Choose a colour that matches well with your chosen mural or room decor, then paint the wood pieces.

Tip: Buy one or two sample pots instead of a full tin to save on money and waste.

Choose a mural design you love in the size you want (or wallpaper if you'd prefer a repeating pattern instead of a full image). It could be anything from a colour-filled tropical design to a vintage-style world map mural.

Paste the wall where the mural will go, then hang the mural panel by panel. Smooth the paper out as you go using a squeegee with a felt edge, for example.

Place each wood frame piece over the edges of your mural, and tack them in place with a hammer and nail. You could also apply hot glue to the back of ​the wood to glue them on instead.

Touch up the frame with any more paint if needed. Also, it's an optional step, but you add caulking around the outer edge for a smooth, perfectly blended finish.