Murals as visual anchors: How illustrations transform spaces

Murals have a wide range of possible uses and can be flexibly adapted to a wide variety of contexts. They fulfil far more than just a decorative function: in public buildings and spaces such as playgrounds or streets, murals contribute to visual enhancement and actively shape the cityscape. They are therefore also of great importance for city marketing, as they not only improve the appearance of a neighbourhood, but can also contribute to the creation of a city's identity and image. They are also increasingly being used indoors, for example on office walls to support corporate culture or in hospitals to create a calming atmosphere. In the catering and hotel industry, beautiful wall designs set special accents and contribute to the atmosphere of the room. They are also often used as advertising space. As statement walls, murals convey clear messages and are used specifically to generate attention.

The following projects show how versatile and creative wall motifs can be designed and used:

Stephen Smith from Neasden Control Centre has designed several murals for the Robins Ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. This ward mainly cares for children with neurological conditions and provides specialist surgery for paediatric inpatients. The murals create a calming and welcoming atmosphere for the young patients and their families.

The wall design in the dental ward of the busy Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel mixes large format prints with illustrations that stretch across the ward. The aim of the work was to create a playful dialogue between the illustrated characters, animals, birds, woodland and urban architecture that appeals to both young children and teenagers. The artworks are specifically positioned in places in the room where they can be viewed from the dentist's chair to help patients relax. They also create a warm, energising environment for staff to work in. Particular attention was paid to harmonising the colour scheme with the existing colours of the dental furniture and other equipment in the ward.

Photographs by Owen Richards.

Stephen Smith was also commissioned to design the UK's first vertical activity wall with Jono Lewarne of The Crown Estate and Macgregor Smith. The large-scale outdoor installation at Fosse Park in Leicester includes a graphic mural wall, a rubber floor design and a 15 metre high window motif for the country's first vertical children's activity area. The colourful, inviting installation for children and adults uses local cultural elements and creates a zest for life with a warm, positive colour palette.

The designs were to be inspired by the region, particularly its wildlife and cultural history. In addition to their own research, workshops were organised with two local schools and a senior citizens group to explore these themes in different ways with people who grew up in the area.

Matt created a mural at the Mary Immaculate School in Cardiff (Wales). The mural also incorporates ideas from the pupils, who contributed their own designs on the theme of wellbeing. Some of the children even helped with the painting, becoming part of the vibrant and colourful work! Murals in schools help to make the environment appealing and at the same time strengthen pupils' creativity and identification with their surroundings.

And with these bold wall motifs, Matt brought fresh energy and vibrant colours to the newly renovated boxing studio at ACT Schools. The aim of the design was to reflect the character of the space and create a positive atmosphere.

In collaboration with TAB e.V. and Stabil e.V., Desres designed a 300 metre long urban art project ‘Urban Sports Park’ on the Mainkai in Frankfurt. The vision: to combine street art with sport and music in the urban city centre. The entire street shone in bright colours and patterns and became a playground and place of urban development - perfect for dancing, playing and simply enjoying the Frankfurt summer!

Fritzi's street art motif at Eberstadt station is a successful example of how illustration can be harmoniously integrated into its surroundings: The floral-abstract, colourful motifs create a lively atmosphere without being too conspicuous. The columns in the lower area are also incorporated into the design concept and their colour scheme combines the architectural elements with the artistic implementation.

Murals such as these make a significant contribution to beautifying railway stations: the place is given a unique identity, and for travellers, an artistically designed station has a mood-enhancing effect - the monotony of everyday life is broken by a colourful moment of joy and inspiration. For commuters in particular, who use the station regularly, a beautiful wall design makes the wait more pleasant and the surroundings more inviting.

Fritzi also designed the walls at Flörsheim railway station: the murals there are based on the tiled parts of the subway and take up the existing motifs to create a harmonious and modern overall picture. At the client's request, Fritzi used a hot air balloon, a person running, an aeroplane and a village in a slightly modernised form in her paintings. The colours of the wall design are also derived from the tiles in order to give the entire subway a harmonious unity without appearing monotonous. The artwork is deliberately not flashy or gaudy, but impresses with a calm, harmonious aesthetic that blends harmoniously into the surroundings.

In this project, Larissa Bertonasco designed two murals for Hamburg Wasser at the Port of Hamburg to mark Water Day: One in handwriting and one in capital letters, which were then colourfully painted by Hamburg Wasser employees and children. Such interactive works of art not only promote a lively design of public spaces, but also strengthen team spirit and corporate culture. Joint creative activities like this create a positive atmosphere and connect people with each other and their neighbourhood in an inspiring way.

In 2022, Larissa Bertonasco won the Hessian state competition of the state initiative +Baukultur ‘Alles nur Fassade’ with her design ‘Communicationnation’ and then applied the motif to the wall herself - with lively participation from the Hanau neighbourhood!
We have also written a blog about this.

Chris designed a mural for the town of Herborn with a reinterpretation of the town's coat of arms - the motif emphasises the local character and creates a point of attraction in the public space that inspires both residents and visitors and strengthens the local sense of community.

In cooperation with Viva con Agua Arts, Nils Kasiske a.k.a. Studio Topie designed various murals for the NIU Hotel in Frankfurt, which cover seven floors: The colourful, slightly surreal wall design makes the guests' stay a very special experience and gives the rooms an unmistakable character that strengthens the hotel's identity and makes a lasting impression on visitors.

In autumn 2024, Casiegraphics created a mural for private customers in Munich that was inspired by the homeowners' long-distance trips to Costa Rica, New Zealand and Thailand. The mural combines animal and nature motifs that are reminiscent of their travel experiences and bring holiday flair into the living space.

Daria designed a mural for the Liberty Café in Lisbon, which charmingly reflects the lively clientele to the outside and promises good entertainment!

With her personal project ‘Shooting Rainbows on the Walls’, Sylwia Kubus wants to enrich Berlin's cityscape with colourful motifs: In the first step, she digitally adds her favourite themes - women and flowers - to photos of undesigned walls! Sylwia's colourful mural and wallpaper mock-ups impressively demonstrate the effect of art in urban spaces.

Together with Rommy González, Ekaterina designed a 15-metre-long street art motif on Alexanderplatz in Berlin: the artwork is part of a 160-metre-long area for A-Fence and was created during a summer weekend. Together with eleven other artists, they are adding their artistic vision to Berlin's vibrant city centre!

Key Takeaways: Why Murals Act as Visual Anchors

Murals are more than just decorative wall art – they serve as visual anchors that enhance spaces, communicate identity, and shape atmosphere. Here are the key insights from this article:

• Murals create orientation and visual identity, whether in public spaces, office interiors, or hospitality environments.

• They communicate messages and function as "statement walls" that express brand values, cultural narratives, or emotional themes.

• Context is key: In hospitals, murals provide calm; in schools, they spark creativity; in cities, they enrich the urban environment.

• Participation strengthens impact: When students, employees, or local communities are involved, murals foster identification and ownership.

• European case studies show that murals work in a wide range of settings – from functional interior design to large-scale street art – with long-lasting effect.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Murals and Wall Design

What exactly is a mural?
A mural is a large-scale artwork or illustration applied to a wall surface, indoors or outdoors – often artistically expressive and contextually relevant.

Where are murals typically used?
Common locations include: office spaces, hospitals, schools, restaurants, hotels, train stations, public squares, and even private homes.

What purpose do murals serve?
Murals create atmosphere, support brand storytelling, spark conversation, offer calm in waiting areas, or serve as eye-catching selfie or media spots.

What’s important when designing a mural?
The concept should always reflect the space, its architecture, and the target audience. Involving local users or stakeholders boosts acceptance and relevance.

Are murals suitable for small spaces?
Yes – with smart use of perspective, color, and composition, even compact areas can gain depth and visual impact.

How do murals support brand communication?
They make corporate values visible, create emotional engagement, and enhance first impressions – especially in entrances or open office areas.

How are murals different from traditional art installations?
Murals are site-specific, often integrated directly into architecture, and offer a more immersive experience than framed artwork or sculptures.

Can murals be temporary?
Absolutely. Temporary murals can be created for events, pop-ups, or campaigns – even digitally projected or installed as removable media.

Planning a mural project or looking for visual storytelling for your space?
We support you from concept to execution – with creativity, experience, and a strong sense for spatial impact! Let us advise you on how murals can also enhance your rooms - get in touch with us!