Shea McGee says everyone should add mural panels to their holiday decor | Homes & Gardens

Mural panels are the missing piece to your holiday decor

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Wallpaper is a big commitment. A room covered in your favorite design is not only an investment, but it also dictates the overall aesthetic of your space. And when it comes to decorating for the holidays, wallpapering is likely out of the question.

But if you want to elevate your dining room decor (or any room in your home) for this year's holiday season in an unexpected way, Shea McGee's latest idea might just be the solution you've been searching for.

Offering the beautiful texture, softness, and drama of wallpaper without the usual commitment, wallpaper mural panels are the new way to add interest to your space for the holidays and beyond.

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Taking to Instagram, Shea revealed mural panels as a more unique way to add something different to your dining room decor for the holidays. Featuring classic designs framed by wood, it instantly adds interest and a greater sense of coziness to the room.

'A holiday dining look I was very excited about was these huge mural panels. It gives you the opportunity to create a wallpaper look without wallpapering your entire room,' Shea says.

In the video, she's stood in front of McGee & Co.'s Neutral Toile No. 1 mural panel, a soft neutral design that will endure far past the holidays. 'They're huge. They're tall and wide and a really beautiful mural scene. I love that they have a soft palette and then you can layer lots with it,' she adds.

It's the layering possibilities that really make this decorating method all the more appealing. Shea has used the mural panel as the backdrop for a bar cart here – a staple during the holidays – but you can also drape garlands over them, or even use it as an unexpected place to hang a Christmas wreath.

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Alternatively, if you have a large expanse of empty walls you want to fill, introducing two or three mural panels can add a truly striking display. Introduce a few in the same size and style to give the effect of traditional wall paneling, or opt for a set of three with the central design the biggest to give the look of an art installation.

It's all about adding interest and style to your walls without covering them in wallpaper. Look for mural panels that best fill your walls and offer the aesthetic you want in your holiday dining room. And if you find a design that feels timeless, why not keep it as a permanent addition to your decor?

Whether you buy ready-made mural panels, DIY them with your favorite wallpaper designs, or find striking art that gives the same effect, there are plenty of wonderful pieces available to buy in time for the holiday season.

A design Shea has used for some of her dining room wallpaper mural panels, this classic design comes in a neutral scheme, perfect for displaying throughout seasons.

If you prefer bold colors, this blue and white nature design can easily be turned into a mural panel – this one allows you more flexibility with size if you want something wider.

If you want a few mural panels that match, this wall art offers the same effect. This set of three is printed on linen canvas and depicts trees, florals, and birds in a colorful scene.

While they're an unexpected way to decorate for the holidays, mural panels have enduring appeal. Opting for a timeless, season-free design means you can keep them on display whether it's the holidays or the height of summer.

I joined the Homes & Gardens interiors team at the start of 2024 as the kitchens & bathrooms editor. My undergraduate degree was in Magazine Journalism and Production, which I studied at the University of Gloucestershire. Before joining Homes & Gardens, I worked for two interiors titles across both print and digital channels, writing about a range of topics from room design ideas and decorating trends to timeless kitchen schemes and the best places to source pre-loved homeware.

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