Murals in Interior Design: What Every Architect Should Know

Murals have evolved from secondary decorative elements into a measurable interior design tool with proven impact on user experience, brand identity, and perceived space value. For architects and interior designers, integrating a mural into a project requires technical planning, contractor coordination, and contractual clarity. This article covers what you need to know to specify, budget, and execute murals within your architectural projects.

Contemporary muralism is not paint on an empty wall. It is an intervention that dialogues with architecture, responds to a design program, and needs to be integrated into the construction schedule. When executed well, a mural transforms a lobby, a facade, or a commercial space into a visual reference point. When improvised, it creates conflicts with contractors, delays, and results that do not align with the project vision.

The difference between both scenarios lies in the process. And that process begins long before the artist arrives on site.

How to Specify a Mural in Architectural Drawings

A mural should appear in project documentation like any other finish. Omitting it from drawings creates ambiguity during construction and complicates coordination between trades. Below are the minimum elements a drawing set should include when the project includes a mural.

Surface Preparation Requirements by Substrate Type

Not all surfaces are created equal. The substrate determines the type of preparation needed, compatible materials, and mural durability. A common mistake is assuming that any wall “ready for paint” is ready for a mural. The reality is more technical.

• 1
  Exposed concrete: Requires pore sealing with epoxy or acrylic primer. If there is efflorescence (white salt deposits), it must be removed with diluted muriatic acid and allowed to dry for at least 72 hours before primer application. The natural texture of concrete can be an aesthetic resource, but the artist must know about it in advance to adapt their technique.
• 2
  Drywall (gypsum board): The most uniform and mural-friendly surface for interiors. Requires at least two coats of joint compound, fine sanding (150-220 grit), and a latex primer base coat. Panel joints must be perfectly flush - any irregularity will be visible under the mural paint.
• 3
  Plaster or stucco: Common in traditional construction. Requires crack repair, sealer application, and at least one coat of base paint in white or the color requested by the artist. Residual moisture from fresh plaster is the biggest risk: the wall should have at least 28 days of curing time before receiving artistic paint.
• 4
  Exposed brick: The irregular texture of brick is desirable in certain styles (street art murals or organic interventions) but makes detailed work difficult. If a smooth surface is required over brick, a plaster skim coat is necessary. If painting directly on brick, a high-penetration sealer is needed to prevent excessive absorption.
• 5
  Metal or composite panels: Common in contemporary facades and industrial spaces. Require anticorrosive primer and specialized paint. Adhesion is the critical factor - adhesion tests before executing the mural are recommended for these substrates.

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“Surface preparation accounts for 20% to 30% of a mural's total cost. Skipping it does not save money - it transfers the cost to future repairs.”

When to Integrate the Mural: Design Phase vs. Post-Construction

The decision of when to incorporate a mural into the project has direct implications on cost, quality of results, and coordination complexity. There are two valid approaches, each with distinct advantages and limitations.

The general recommendation for new projects is to integrate the mural from the design phase. This allows coordinating substrate preparation with the general contractor, avoiding conflicts with concealed installations, and designing appropriate lighting. According to data from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), design changes during construction cost between 5x and 10x more than changes made during the planning phase.

Coordinating with General Contractors and Paint Subcontractors

One of the most common friction points in projects that include murals is coordination between the artist, the general contractor (GC), and paint subcontractors. The mural occupies space that other trades need, and its execution requires specific conditions.

Intellectual Property and Artist Rights

Murals occupy a particular position in copyright law. In many countries, the artist retains moral rights over the work even when it was commissioned and paid for in full. This has practical implications that architects should consider.

Practical recommendations for architects are clear:

• Include a patrimonial rights assignment clause in the artist contract, specifying permitted uses (reproduction in project publications, photography, marketing).
• Document the finished work with professional photography before handing the space over to the end client.
• Agree in writing on the conditions under which the mural may be removed or modified, especially in projects with lease agreements.
• When the project is for a third party, transfer these contractual obligations to the final property owner.

The Mural as a Line Item in the Construction Budget

One of the most frequent mistakes is treating the mural as a discretionary expense to be decided “if budget remains.” When the mural is part of the design concept, it should have its own budget line item from the project's inception.

As an industry reference, a medium-complexity interior mural in a commercial project can range from USD $30 to $120 per square foot (USD $320-$1,290/sqm), depending on the market, the artist, and the complexity. In Latin America, ranges are generally more competitive, with costs between USD $15 and $70 per square foot for comparable projects.

For architecture firms, the recommended approach is to request quotes during the design development phase, when dimensions and specifications are defined. This allows including the mural as a formal line item with a fixed price, avoiding surprises during construction.

How Platforms Simplify Artist Sourcing

Traditionally, finding the right muralist for an architectural project meant relying on personal contacts, social media searches, or referrals from other professionals. This informal process creates inefficiencies: long search times, difficulty comparing portfolios, lack of verifiable references, and unstructured negotiations.

Specialized platforms like Muralia are transforming this process. With a network of over 250 verified artists across more than 60 cities and 4 countries, the platform enables architects and designers to find talent that matches the style, budget, and location requirements of their project.

For an architecture firm managing multiple simultaneous projects, this type of platform offers a concrete operational advantage: it centralizes the management of artistic vendors, maintains a collaboration history, and reduces dependence on a single contact network. In a market where the best artists have packed schedules, having access to a diverse and global network can be the difference between meeting a deadline and delaying a handover.

Architect's Checklist: Before Including a Mural in Your Project