How Do You Plan a Hand-Painted Mural for a Feature Wall?

Pick the wall your eye naturally goes to when you walk in, such as the wall behind a bed, a sofa or a dining table. A wall with good light and a clear view works better than a cramped corridor. Think about what will sit in front of it, because a large piece of furniture can hide the lower part of the design. Avoid walls with damp problems or heavy steam and splashes, such as behind a cooker or beside a shower, unless the wall is protected and the paint is chosen for it.

Start with how you want the room to feel: calm, playful, dramatic, traditional. Gather reference images, and think about scale. A single large image behaves very differently to a pattern repeated across the wall, and a detailed scene needs space to be read. The design should work with the colours already in the room, or you can plan the room's colours around it. Ask for a sketch or a digital visual before any paint goes on, so you can see the design, the size and the colours in place.

Some decorators paint murals themselves, and others work with an artist. Either way, it's worth being clear about who does what. A decorator usually prepares the wall and applies the base coats, while the artist designs and paints the artwork. Ask to see examples of previous murals, and agree the design in writing before work starts. A good project has one person coordinating, so decisions about colour, size and timing don't fall between two people.

A mural is only as good as the wall underneath. The surface needs to be sound, smooth and clean: cracks filled, loose paint scraped, old wallpaper stripped and any stains sealed. The wall is then primed, and a base coat is applied in the right colour for the design, because the base colour affects every colour on top. A matt or low-sheen base gives the artwork something to grip and avoids reflections that make the design hard to see.

Artists use a range of paints, including water-based emulsions and acrylics. The choice depends on the design, the room and the amount of wear. In a hallway or a child's room, a protective clear coat can make the surface easier to look after, though it can change how the colours look, so ask to see a test area. Water-based paints dry quickly and have less smell, which helps if the room needs to stay in use.

It depends on the size and the detail. A simple design on one wall can be done in a few days, while a detailed scene can take longer, because layers need to dry before the next goes on. Time also goes on preparation, sketching the design onto the wall and finishing touches. Ask for an estimate, and be wary of a firm date given before anyone has seen the wall.

Floors, furniture and nearby surfaces need to be covered, and the work area needs good light. Clear the wall of pictures, shelves and furniture before the day, and agree access so the artist can work without interruption. Allow for the room to be out of use for part of the project.

Once the paint has fully dried, treat it gently. Dust it softly, wipe marks with a damp cloth and avoid scrubbing, which can lift or dull the paint. Keep furniture and sharp objects away from the wall. If it's damaged, small touch-ups are usually possible, so keep a note of the colours used and ask the artist to leave you a small amount.

Before work begins, agree:

• the design, the size and where it sits on the wall, ideally with a sketch or visual
• the colours and the finish
• who prepares the wall and who paints the artwork
• the timescale, access and how the room will be protected
• the price, the payment stages and how any changes will be handled