One Option For Using The Leftover Floral Wall Mural
I’m still working on finishing up the changes that I’m making in the living room and entryway now that the new floral wall mural is up on the entryway wall. The changes I’m making in the living room are minor. I’m relocating the bird pictures that used to be on the entryway wall to another wall in the living room, and then I need to finish up the repairs on the wall mural where I had cut the holes for the wall sconce wires. And finally, I still need to decide on table lamps. I’ve been searching, but so far, I haven’t made a decision.
In the meantime, I’ve been wondering if there’s a spot where I can use the rest of the mural in the house. The options are pretty limited, and in fact, I can only think of one spot where they’ll work.
To review, the mural I bought is about 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall. It’s this Paradise Tropical Floral wall mural from Anthropologie (affiliate link). I bought it a while back when it was on sale, and at the time, I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I knew I wanted it. 😀
I used the bulk of it on the entryway wall. I absolutely love how this transformed this wall in the living room, and I’m still working through all of the details of how I want to finish up this wall. All of the items on top of the console table are just stand ins so that I could play around with different arrangements.
But I’m left with just under seven feet of this mural that didn’t fit on this wall. This is the portion that was left over. I know it doesn’t seem like it’s almost seven feet wide from this picture, but that’s because the mural is 10 feet high. But each section is 27 inches wide, and I have three whole sections left over.
The whole thing is so pretty, so I really don’t want this to go to waste. I’d love to find a place to use it. The problem is that I’ve run out of wall space. I’ve just finished up our master bedroom suite, so obviously there’s no space in there for a wall mural. There’s no space in the music room or living room for it. The kitchen is out of the question. And my studio is all finished, and even if I had wall space for it in the studio, it doesn’t go with the decor anyway.
The only room where this mural could go is in our breakfast room. That room is set up as a sitting room for now, but I do want to change it back to a breakfast room (really, a dining room) in the very near future. But for now, it looks like this…kind of.
I say “kind of” because over the last year, I’ve poached a lot of items from this room to use in other areas of the house. The curtains are now in my walk-in closet. One of the benches and a couple of the pillows are in our bedroom suite foyer. The “fruit of the spirit” artwork is now in my walk-in closet. So this room is now in need of a makeover, and this makeover was on my list of House Goals for 2026.
One option is to use the leftover mural in two sections and frame them to flank the pantry doors. I don’t have enough to cover the entire wall, but if I use it in two sections inside picture frame molding, I have enough for that. Each wall section is 53 inches wide, and I have enough mural to cover 40.5 inches on each side of the pantry door. I could apply the mural directly to the wall like wallpaper, or I could use them as framed artwork that hangs on the wall. Right now, the only things left on these walls now are the two black sconces, but I plan to take those down.
The only problem is that I don’t love the mural with the tile in the pantry. But I’ve been thinking about replacing that tile anyway, so I won’t let that tile stop me from doing what I want to do in the breakfast room.
Another option is that I could use it on the bigger wall in the breakfast room. Of course, that would mean taking down my picture ledge shelves.
It would need to be inside picture frame molding on this wall as well because this wall is 98 inches wide, and I only have 81 inches of mural left over.
I’m still thinking through it. Obviously, I haven’t decided on anything yet. And maybe it’s too much to have the mural on the entryway wall, and then more mural in the breakfast room. You can tell me what you think. Is it too much? I just hate to lose almost seven feet of this gorgeous mural. And since I’ve poached so much from the breakfast room to use elsewhere in the house, I’ll basically be starting over in the breakfast room anyway.
I don’t know when I’ll actually start on the breakfast room, but it’s on my list for this year, so I do spend a lot of time thinking about it and making plans. I’ve been at a complete loss for what to do on those walls flanking the pantry doors. I’ve thought about adding full-wall storage, but I really don’t need it. I’ve thought about using narrow matching buffets on either side with artwork above, but again, I don’t really want or need to add more storage, so I think that would just look busy and make the room feel smaller. I kind of like the idea of adding the mural framed as artwork, and then using that area for extra dining chairs or something like that.
But again, before I get too far into this line of thinking, you can let me know if you think adding more of this wall mural is too much. I don’t want it to go to waste, but at the same time, I don’t want to use it if it will feel like I added it just because I couldn’t bring myself to let it go. I can’t decide if it will make the rooms look cohesive, or if it will look like I just had scraps that I wanted to use. 😀
UPDATE: That small image of the leftover wall mural really doesn’t do it justice. It looks really narrow and washed out. So I unrolled the pieces on my studio worktables and took pictures of the actual mural so you could get a better idea of the size and the colors. It’s not only big, but it’s actually quite colorful as well. Here are a few pictures of the actual thing so you can get a better idea of the size and colors. For scale, my worktables are 10 feet wide, and the mural wall in my studio is 19.5 feet wide.
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Use the leftover mural in your temporary gym — perhaps mounted on a board you can move later OR use it in your shed to bring some pretty into a tool workshop.
Thinking along the same lines, especially the shed, where hopefully, you’ll be spending more time in the future, if the environment out there is suitable and wouldn’t harm the mural paper. Why not have something beautiful to enjoy while working there? Or possibly in one of the unfinished areas, although I can’t remember now exactly how many rooms you still have to complete. Then it could remain in the house where you could see it often and not have it be “too much” in the living/dining areas. And I would definitely consider mounting it on a moveable panel, if the size would allow, so that you could easily move it and enjoy it somewhere else in the future if you so desired. The more I see of it, the more I love the idea of a mural wall. Wish I could do something like that, but it wouldn’t do at all in a rental unless it was a moveable panel. Best luck with your decision.
What about using it in the bathroom you’re planning to add? I think it would be too close in the breakfast room.
Save it, don’t install it. When you get to the addition it will speak to you then. It feels like a stretch kinda like how you framed the grass cloth in the living room for a period
I like the idea of the mural reappearing in your house in a frame – it’s coherent and still different enough to be interesting. To me, the best place would be next to the pantry door, but I cannot really imagine how to cut the remaining part of the mural so that it looks like two equally important/beautiful pieces. If you manage that decision, that would be my favourite solution! Otherwise I would go for a big portion of it in one picture frame behind the telly in the breakfast room.
I think it would look really nice on either side of the pantry doors, and I don’t think it’s too much because it isn’t in the line of sight of the entry way. You’ve got absolutely nothing to lose by trying it!
Can you save it for use in the future add on rooms…are there still plans for a powder room or workout room in the back addition? I hate the idea of destroying some of the areas that are SO nice just to use this last piece. I still love the pantry and the seating area.
I absolutely love the idea of using this piece framed on either side of the pantry. It’s not only gorgeous but it will tie everything together. I agree that you cannot waste this mural it’s much too pretty. I can’t wait to see it come to life!
What about using it in your current bathroom that you will be turning into storage. I know you like all areas of your home to be pretty. This would be a great way to pretty it up.
I love the mural but I don’t think I would like it cut up and hung inside a picture moulding in the breakfast/dining room. I think using the mural in two locations would diminish the value of the mural in the entryway. Sort of like having one antique vase is rare and exquisite but having 5 of them makes them less rare and valuable. I liked your ideas of some kind of cabinetry to match the kitchen flanking the pantry door and also the smaller chests/buffets. I was wondering if you have thought of painting the living room walls in the deep color of the mural background. You have a lot of windows so I don’t think it would be too dark in the room. It would be an entirely different look.
I would say save it. Although your house blends beautifully color wise, you have never ( to my recollection) repeated a look. I love this! Each room flows and each room has beautiful displays to look at. Perhaps you will be able to use the peices artistically later. Wait and you will find the perfect use for the excess.
Sheila F.
What about saving it to put in your new addition out the back?
What about using it in your eventual guest bedroom? I also think it would look great on either side of the pantry doors—it’s far enough away from the foyer but would be a great way to tie the areas together. It’s all beautiful!
It is beautiful, but I definitely think using it twice in different spots diminishes it. I do like the the idea of using one piece right by the front door (like to the right of it as you’re looking at it from the inside) if you could wrap the other side, but then you’d lose your interior windows between the music room and entry…and you’d obviously have to lose both sides of the interior windows otherwise it would be unbalanced.
Ok I am really confused and please don’t take this as criticism but has it been raining everyday in Waco? Last I knew you were going to tackle outside before it got too hot. Then you were back inside one day because of rain but then back inside putting up gorgeous wallpaper. Now you seem to be spending your time tying to use the wallpaper somewhere else. Can’t you just store it till you find a place you really love it to be. Also all the work you did on tiling your pantry now you are thinking about removing it again. I feel like your priorities are very confusing, to me anyway. I have been very sick lately so maybe its being bedridden that has put me in a negative mood. I’m sorry if I have upset you.
Would you have any different ideas for the mural if you turned it sideways and had a 10 foot width that was 7 feet high. You don’t have 10 foot ceilings, so keeping the orientation the same means that you will have to cut some off at the top or bottom anyway. To my eye, the mural doesn’t really have an “orientation” that needs to be preserved. It would look just as good turned sideways and would give you 3 more feet of width to work with.
That was my thought too! Flowers grow every which way, and this might help you fit the mural into a different space. For my taste, it’s a very big pattern, but it’s your house, not mine. I would like to say that I truly love your pantry tile, so if you ever decide to take it down, I would love to have a few. Even if they broke in shipping (or removing) I could still mosaic a trivet or two. I think they are gorgeous! Also, regarding Becky’s idea, wainscotting, and then you would have plenty for that pantry wall. Just a thought. Aloha.
Here’s my 5¢ worth ( inflation, you know😆)…
My first thought was exactly what you said; framed and flanking the entry to the pantry. Next is to roll it up and store it since you redecorate often. Lastly, would you be willing to sell it? It’s so beautiful and I don’t imagine anyone here would want you to ‘waste it’.
In the end, I think you should put it in storage and think about it.
If you list it and it’s sold, well there’s money in your pocket, so win-win.
I agree with others who have said to roll it up and wait. You might use it in the shed, or drawer liners, bookcase backs, etc. wait until after the remodel.
Workshop?
I would probably not use it in another public area. What about the ceiling in your storage area? Not sure of those dimensions but that could be fun.
Definitely don’t force it. The right place will appear. Or you could sell it.
Sorry, but I wouldn’t use the mural anywhere else. It will look like you’re finding a place for leftover paper, and having it elsewhere will lessen the impact of the entry wall (which is beautiful). Also, I LOVE the wall of shelves in the sitting room.
Rather than trying to figure out where to use it just because you really like it and have leftover, why not store it and wait for your new build. Is the pantry going away in the new build? If so, why would you make more work for yourself when you’ve said you think you need a bit of a break to either work outside or just make pretty crafty things?
I would not use the extra mural elsewhere in the house. Perhaps you could offer it for sale, or give it away.
If it can’t be used in the livingroom (above fireplace, door or another wall in livingroom) I would hold off on using it at this point. As noted from other comments, you don’t want to put it in another room, “just because”. Looks beautiful BTW 😊
I think it might be too much to use it again inside but can you put it on an outside wall at the back somewhere? Seal it with an external grade varnish?
The mural is beautiful in the entryway, a real statement piece. Sell the balance to someone other lucky person on Facebook Marketplace.
Would it work on the wall by the fireplace where you took the creamuc birds from?
It seems like you want to use it…but are forcing where to use it. I would save it and just store it in the studio for a while and see where it seems to go. If you get the end of your renos and there’s not a natural place it fits then put it in the storage closet and you can enjoy it daily without having to rework spaces you didn’t intend to do NOW in order to make the mural fit.
I absolutely love the idea of using this piece framed on either side of the pantry. It’s not only gorgeous but it will tie everything together. I agree that you cannot waste this mural it’s much too pretty. I can’t wait to see it come to life!
Will it fit on the ceiling in your storage room?
Oh my -my decorating skills are lacking but please don’t let that mural go it is so beautiful! I know you will find the perfect spot.
Option one in frames on the wall backing up to the pantry would look wonderful. I was even thinking you could put them in your sunroom temporarily when you use it for your workout room.
Your gut is telling you that it would be “too much”. So are most of your followers. Why not store it and focus on other things on your priority list? Perhaps a good spot for it will be clear later as you work on other areas. If not, it’s already a sunk cost that gave you a lovely entry and that alone was worth the cost.
The possibilities in your shed (no reason it can’t be pretty inside as well as outside), on the ceiling of a large closet, or in a future guest room are worth keeping in the back of your mind, but for now….forge ahead.
Could you piece it around the window wall instead of hanging new curtains?
It is beautiful. With that, I’m with others here that say, roll it up and save it for later. It seems like youre trying to force something that may/may not look good overall. I think keeping it for awhile is the best solution, mull it over and over in your mind, before cutting it into two pieces. Just my 3cents worth. 😁
I think you should hold onto it til you get your addition built and use it in one of those rooms.
Adding it to the dining room will look like what you said….using the leftovers just to use them.
You could make it more intentional in the addition
I did a digital cut into a diptych and it looks terrible. If you kept it together and used it on the current TV wall, what are you doing with the TV until the new addition is built? It’s in a good position to watch from the kitchen as well as the table when you put it back.
I agree with most of the comments that you should store it until you find a good use of it rather than use it hastily. You were going to put some paper on the new closet ceiling at one time; maybe the ceiling in the new bathroom addition is a good place. Give the new entry time to be its own magnificent space.
Please wait as others have suggested on deciding where to hang that beautiful piece of mural!
**Noticed you removed the baskets under the cabinet. Looks much better, but wondering if you could remove the bottom shelf and the legs beneath it? It would allow more of the mural to be showcased and the lamps etc wouldn’t compete with the sconces or the mural. (To my eye, viewing a small photo, it looks crowded in that section.)
Don’t care for the mirror either. Let the mural shine by its self, it’s stunning!
Perhaps when you find the lamps you like, it may look more balanced to you. Leave it with only the lamps for awhile, you may find a hidden gem that will look perfect there!
Since you asked for opinions, here’s mine: it’s too beautiful a mural to break it up any further. I’d use the piece on the longer wall rather than in two pieces around the pantry door.
Sell it
Would it be crazy to use it in the storage room for Matt’s equipment? You were talking about whether to make that room pretty or leave it utilitarian, but you know you want to make it pretty😉. That way you get to enjoy it every day but it’s not too much in the house. Just a thought. It’s really pretty and your entry looks gorgeous!
It’s so very beautiful! My vote is for you to frame some of it and flank the pantry doors. That’ll tie the breakfast room to the entry nicely. (You are amazing btw!)
I like the mural, but using the remnants elsewhere in the house would be overkill. It also changes the youthful, energetic vibe of your house with its clear, bright colors into something more muted and moodier. Your entryway panels took the brightest colors from the whole panel to blend with the rest of your house, but these remnants, lovely as they are, don’t have the same oompf. Years ago, you used a beautiful but muted palette in your living room and decided it wasn’t for you. What you have in your house now is very cohesive with bright, happy colors. This part of the mural seems out of place.
Yes, it would be too much for your dining area. Also, too soon to be thinking of changing out that space. Other things need done first. I agree with those who have suggested using the leftover wallpaper in your shed. It will be a delight working in there when needed.
I think it is too much to use it in the breakfast room. Can you use it somewhere in your shed in the backyard? Or considering selling it.
I think you should save it because I don’t think it fits into that breakfast room. As you said, the tile in the pantry would need to be changed and I think the cabinet colors in both the pantry and kitchen would have to be changed too. I don’t think that purple cabinet in the breakfast area would go with it either. Adding that is just going to have you changing out a lot of other things that I don’t think you want to change just for a piece of artwork. I think that once you get to work on the other areas in your home that you will be changing, the perfect place for it will become apparent.
It is a beautiful mural. There’s no reason to trash it or otherwise get rid of it. Just hang on to it for later.
I think cutting the mural, framing it and flanking it on either side of the pantry doors will not do any justice to the mural. You need to keep it in one piece. I also think you are trying to force it into some place/and place. My opinion is the roll it up and wait until the additional to see if there is a logical place to put it. I also thought about the storage area you are going to finish off the master but remembered you are planning shelving in there. Granted noone would see it but you in there but you would love seeing it. My second thought was the tempory workout space but it just doesn’t feel right for it to be in that space (at least to me). All that to say I would roll it up and put it on the back burner until the perfect place makes itself known.
Tuck it away. You will eventually know where it belongs – maybe in your house, maybe sold to someone else for their house. It will come to you in the right time. Patience. 🙂
What is you just store the leftover mural for now and use in the future. Instead of forcing it now. Who knows but a perfect place may show up as you continue your renovations
I would love to see you use the prettiest part of it (whatever section that is to you) inside the big framed square above your fireplace mantel. With the fireplace on the opposite wall from the entryway, but still a part of the same space, the two pieces would nicely complement each other in a way that helps the repetition to make sense. I agree with others that using it again in a different room (at least a nearby one) might make it feel less special. The framed artwork above the fireplace is beautiful on its own, but it’s a little bright now that you’ve gone with this slightly more muted and moody color palette in the entryway. Move that to another room (there are plenty of them where it would play nicely with the existing color scheme), and just decorate the mantel with natural texture and accessories. 🙂
The mural is pretty, but your pantry tiles are stunning! Please don’t sacrifice them to make space for this.
I agree that you should save it for later- the perfect spot will make itself known before too long.
Maybe save the mural remnants to make artwork or cover a wall in your future living room? That would tie the entryway into your new living/family room.
I just came across an idea for the remaining mural wallpaper. Make a window shade (or two).
I like the idea of framing pieces of mural, wherever you use them.
I do think using them in the breakfast room is a little repetitive,
but I’m sure you would make it work by doing something else unique
in that room. I still think the idea of using it in your workshop should
be considered. Imagine walking into your shed/workshop to cut some
wood, and being filled with happiness seeing the flowers.
Oh and also in shock that you might remove the amazing pantry tiles!
What about in your bathroom conversion to storage room?
I’d wait for the addition and then frame them out as a diptych. It would be more intentional, and you could incorporate it into the design from the start.
‘Thinking of replacing the tile in the pantry’ —–What?? After the sweat and tears you poured into making each one of them and got the result you got! I almost booked a flight to Waco from Ecuador to take you to the doc to have your head examined. Now that I have that off my chest, I feel bettah.
I read all the comments and I concur with so many followers who politely said, “Wait.”
Musing on that dilemma is premature. Stash it and down the line you’ll intuitively know. In my opinion, to use it in the area of the house others see as a leftover part of a successful installation already in place, it would look exactly like that as you explain to guests, “I had to use it someplace…” Leaving them to wonder, ‘Hmmm, why there?’
All in good fun.
what if you covered that credenza in the entryway with the wallpaper and painted the un-papered parts of it in a subtle color from the background. It would be a very unique, custom look and a real conversation piece.
It makes design sense to “pull” the foyer mural into the eventual rear family room. Or use as a standalone in your workshop. But it is extremely jarring to see the Anthropologie mural anywhere near the (beautiful) “rainbow room,” as the flow would be, as you walk from the breakfast room to the studio.
(The Anthro mural lends itself to a beautiful, long, marble topped antique console with pencil legs, with skinny buffet lamps (as in designer’s project linked below) – this not only lets you see most of the mural, but has nice “tension” with, or juxtaposition to the chunky sofa across from it. So consider selling your console that would fetch a nice sum to put toward it?)
https://www.katiedavisdesign.com/bunker-hill
This 78″ vintage faux bamboo option (Uship delivered from Sugar Land, TX?) would also be amazing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/277698693673
64″ neoclassical here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/298010218184
I don’t have time to read through all the comments, so apologize if this has already been mentioned. I would keep the mural whole, you lose the effect of the big mural when its separated. I’d save it instead of trying to make it work somewhere now.
What about using the leftover pieces in your work shed?
I like the top half of the mural – even in the updated pics, the lower portion looks sort of gloomy and not cheerful. I’d steer you to using some or most of the upper blossoms but don’t try to maximize the usage. Instead, decide what size art piece you need for a certain spot ( your two fruit of the Spirit sized pieces for example) and take that from the mural portion you have left. Don’t feel you need to use the whole remnant.
Put the mural in your storage room. It was sure make it pretty. You could hang it in your workshop to make you feel creative when you are out there. It is really beautiful, but putting in in the breakfast room makes it look like you are just trying to use it up. Give it to your mom??
Any possibility of using it in your “shed?” Might brighten up everything inside. Don’t know if that would be practical, but it might be really cheerful while you are creating/working etc.