DIY Desert Wall Mural: An Easy Painted Accent Wall for Any Room
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you've been dreaming of creating a custom accent wall but think murals are too complicated, this easy diy desert wall mural might completely change your mind.
With just a handful of paint colors, a small roller, and a brush, we transformed my granddaughter's bedroom into a peaceful desert landscape — no projector, templates, measurements, or artistic experience required.
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Harlow's Plan: DIY Desert Wall Mural
One of my favorite things about creating custom spaces for my grandchildren is that they always come to me with big ideas.
When it was time to makeover Harlow's room, she knew exactly what she wanted—a peaceful desert landscape with warm red rock canyons and beautiful green cacti.
She gathered several inspiration photos, and together we narrowed them down into a design that fit her room perfectly.
We created a simple color palette, headed to Home Depot, and had all of our paint colors mixed and ready to go.
The Best Part? We Didn't Draw Anything First
And here's the part that surprises most people...
Nothing was drawn on the wall.
Not a single pencil line.
Nothing was measured.
There were no templates.
No projector.
No complicated planning.
We simply started painting.
Painting the Desert Landscape
The red rock formations were rolled on with a small paint roller to establish the larger shapes...
....while the cacti were painted freehand directly onto the wall.
Even the shading was incredibly simple—we created it by double dipping the roller into two paint colors before rolling them onto the wall.
It doesn't have to be complicated to look beautiful.
A Family Project from Start to Finish
My daughter and I painted most of the mural together while Matt tackled painting the bathroom. And of course, Harlow had to join in.
She even helped paint a few of the cacti herself, making this room even more meaningful.
Why Simple Murals Are My Favorite
People often assume murals have to be complicated.
While I absolutely love creating detailed murals that require sketching or even projecting a design onto the wall, they don’t all have to be that way.
Sometimes the most beautiful rooms come from simply looking at a blank wall and asking yourself:
"What if this could become something more?"
How to Paint Your Own Easy DIY Desert Wall Mural
If you’ve ever walked into a room and thought it needed a focal point, don’t assume your only option is wallpaper.
I love wallpaper and have used it in many makeovers, but paint can be just as impactful—and often much more personal.
Here's all you really need:
Find an inspiration photo.
Choose a handful of paint colors you love.
Grab a roller and a brush.
Then just begin.
Will it be perfect? Probably not.
Will anyone else notice? Probably not.
What they will notice is the warmth, personality, and creativity that suddenly fills the room.
Sometimes the Simplest Projects Mean the Most
Of all the elaborate projects I’ve painted over the years, this simple mural ranks as one of my favorites…. not because it was technically difficult, but because of the joy it brings to Harlow every time she walks into her room.
Maybe this mural is the little nudge you needed to finally paint that wall that’s been calling to you.
FAQ:
Do I need to draw a mural before painting?
Not always! This mural was painted completely freehand without pencil lines, templates, or a projector.
What paint should I use for a wall mural?
Standard interior wall paint works beautifully for simple painted murals like this one.
Can beginners paint a wall mural?
Absolutely! Simple shapes, limited colors, and working from inspiration photos make murals much more approachable than most people think.
Do I need a projector to paint a mural?
No. While projectors are helpful for detailed artwork, many murals—like this desert scene—can be painted entirely freehand.
More Inspiration: Wall Murals
Wall murals make a house a home! Here are a few additional wall murals I've created over the years for your personal inspiration:
Where the Wild Things Are - a rain-washed mural technique
Boho Cactus Wall Mural - floral cactus nursery
Bear Wall Mural - cozy and dreamy boy nursery
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
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