Our surroundings always have, and always will have, a huge
impact on how we feel and how we behave.
As employers become increasingly aware of the effects the
office environment can have on their employees, many are searching for new ways
to uplift their workspace, and one particularly powerful way to do this is with
wall murals.
By definition, a wall mural is a piece of artwork that is applied or painted directly onto a wall. Having one installed in your office can encourage a multitude of benefits, from boosting the happiness and productivity of your workforce, to providing an invaluable opportunity to market your business to prospects and future employees.
So, if you’re thinking of installing a wall mural, we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions to help you get the most out of your new office art.
Why should I install a wall mural?
With your employees likely spending almost one-third of their lives at work, it’s essential that their working environment is highly considered.
The use of art within an office design is one of the most effective
ways to uplift an otherwise bland and uninspiring space, and it can have the
same refreshing and stimulating effect on your employees as popping out on a
walk or listening to music.
What sets wall murals apart from regular artwork is that
they are often custom designed, meaning they can be created with your company’s
history and spirit in mind. They give you a unique opportunity to tell the
story of who you are and what you do, and create a focal point for the greatest
aspects of your company culture – something which is highly beneficial when
looking to attract future talent into your organisation.
When looking beyond your staff, wall murals can also serve as an extension of your outbound marketing. They can help you to create that ultimate first impression for clients and prospects and can even influence buying decisions further down the line.
What wall mural style is best for my space?
Ultimately, the style of your wall mural will depend
entirely on what you’re hoping to achieve with the space available to you.
Some of the most popular, and powerful, styles include…
Bold, abstract patterns –
Having bright colours and abstract designs is perfect if
your goal is to energise your workforce and encourage creative thinking and
freedom.
Yellows and oranges are particularly effective colours at
creating a sense of joy and vibrance, whilst sleek geometric patterns can pack
a powerful punch.
Images and photographs –
The effect an image can have on your workforce is, of
course, determined by the image itself.
If you’re hoping to create a space for your staff to relax and unwind, you may decide to opt for a woodland scene, whereas an image of an open road might be best for a games room to help create a sense of adventure.
Company branding –
When we say branding, we mean so much more than a logo, a
colour palette, and a strapline. We mean everything that sets your business
apart from another.
Aside from your employees, your brand is one of the most
important aspects of your organisation, which is why so many businesses opt for
large scales illustrative visuals that serve as daily reminders of the
company’s history, prominent achievements, and values.
For help choosing a style that best complements your business, why not reach out to us here at Wall Nuts? Our team of designers, illustrators, and fine artists share a real passion for commercial design and would love to discuss ideas with you.
How much of the wall should a mural cover?
The bespoke nature of wall murals means they can cover as
much or as little of the available space as you’d like.
If your goal is to provide employees with regular reminders of
the company culture, you may decide to install small mural accents throughout the
office. If, however, your goal is to create a powerful first impression to clients,
partners, and prospects, you may instead opt for a large-scale mural in the
reception area.
Ultimately, the beauty of wall murals is their versatility. Regardless of whether you have a small space, a large space, or an unusual shape to work with, a wall mural can be designed to perfectly complement the architectural elements of the area.
What’s the difference between wallpaper and a wall mural?
Despite these words often being used interchangeably, wallpaper
and wall murals in fact have very different histories and purposes.
Unlike wallpaper, which is a relatively modern material used to decorate walls, wall murals have a rich history that can be traced as far back as the Stone Age. Whilst the materials used to decorate walls has changed dramatically since these first discovered murals, one thing has remained a constant; their ability to convey a unique message about the time, place, or people in which they depict.
This uniqueness is what truly sets wall murals apart from standard
wallpapers.
Whilst wallpaper is great if you’re happy with an off-the-shelf repeat pattern design that can be put up throughout a room, a wall mural, which tends to be one large image or pattern, gives you a much greater freedom to showcase something unique about your business.
How are wall murals installed?
The way in which your wall mural is installed will depend
entirely on whether you decide to paint directly onto the wall itself or use
wallpaper.
Wallpaper in fact covers a range of different textures, from
non-woven paste-the-wall papers to self-adhesive vinyl. There are also recycled
wallpapers available for those particularly interested in sustainability.
No matter which paper material you opt for, these can either be installed by yourself (check out our hanging instructions for more information) or by hiring a professional fitting service, something that we offer here at Wall Nuts.
If you instead decide that you want your mural painted directly onto the wall, the intricate nature of this process means you’re also best having this done by professional designers and illustrators, like those that make up the Wall Nuts team.
Why choose Wall Nuts for your wall mural?
Each and every project undertaken by the Wall Nuts team is
led by graphic designer Steph Masters, who has over 25 years of commercial
graphic design experience under her belt.
Steph works by becoming an extension of your team for the
duration of your wall mural project and, alongside her team of trusted design
partners, is able to offer the perfect solution for each and every client.
So, regardless of whether you have a fully formed vision
ready to make a reality or a general desire to uplift a space without any
thought as to how, Wall Nuts can help.
Contact us today to get started.