Animal Murals for Walls: Complete Guide 2026

Why Animal Murals Transform Children's Spaces (And Why Removable Stickers Win)

Animal murals for walls turn empty nurseries into places that feel lived-in before you've even brought the baby home. A giraffe stretching towards the ceiling or a fox peeking from behind the wardrobe makes a room feel less like a blank canvas and more like somewhere a child belongs.

Here's what I've learnt after years of watching parents transform their spaces: painted murals look stunning, but they trap you. Removable wall stickers give you the same impact without the commitment. When your toddler decides elephants are out and dinosaurs are in, you're not stuck repainting.

Why children connect with animal designs

Animals are a child's first teachers. Before they can read, they're learning which creatures are tall, which are fast, which are soft. A sleepy bear near the cot becomes a familiar friend at bedtime. A monkey swinging from a branch becomes a story prompt at playtime. They're not just sticking images on walls—you're giving your child something to talk to, wonder about, and grow with.

Painted murals vs. removable stickers: the honest comparison

I'm not saying painted murals don't have their place. They do. But most parents I speak to aren't looking for permanence—they're looking for flexibility. You want a room that can keep up with a three-year-old's attention span without requiring a decorator every six months.

The Best Animal Designs for Nurseries and Playrooms

Safari animals that work anywhere

Zebras, giraffes, and elephants have staying power. Their neutral tones suit grey nurseries and cream playrooms equally well. Discover our Lifelike Giraffe Nursery Wall Sticker—it's one of our most popular pieces because it scales beautifully on feature walls without overwhelming smaller spaces.

Woodland creatures for cosy corners

Foxes, hedgehogs, and sleepy bears bring warmth without noise. They pair naturally with wooden furniture and earth tones, which means they'll still look right when your child moves from a cot to a toddler bed. These designs don't scream "baby"—they grow up gracefully.

Jungle scenes for playrooms

Save the swinging monkeys and bright parrots for spaces where you want movement. Our Jungle Animal Friends Nursery Wall Stickers work brilliantly in playrooms where energy is welcome. Less so in nurseries where you're trying to signal calm at 7pm.

Simple line-drawn animals for minimalist spaces

Not every parent wants a riot of colour. Black-and-white sketches or soft pastel creatures suit Scandi-style flats where you'd rather the toys provide the colour. These designs sit quietly in the background until your child notices them—then they become part of the storytelling.

Installing Animal Wall Stickers: A Parent's Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing your wall (five minutes, maximum)

Wipe down the wall with a damp cloth. That's it. You don't need primers or special cleaners. Just dust-free and dry.

If you've recently painted, wait two weeks before applying stickers. Fresh paint needs time to cure properly. Otherwise, you're good to go.

Getting the position right before you commit

Hold the sticker against the wall before peeling anything. Step back. Does it feel right? Take a photo if that helps you see it more clearly. Mark the top corner lightly with a pencil if you're worried about keeping it level.

Once you're happy, peel back just the top few centimetres and press that edge to the wall. This anchor point stops the whole thing sliding around whilst you work.

How to avoid bubbles (and fix them when they happen)

Work slowly from top to bottom, peeling the backing away bit by bit. Use your hand or a clean cloth to smooth the sticker down as you go. If a bubble appears, peel that section back and reapply. The material is forgiving—you've got a few minutes to adjust before the adhesive fully sets.

Don't rush. Twenty minutes of patience beats an hour of frustration.

Removing stickers when it's time to move on

Peel slowly from one corner, pulling parallel to the wall rather than straight out. It should come away in one piece with no residue left behind. If it feels stubborn, warm it gently with a hairdryer on low. This softens the adhesive and makes removal easier. No scraping required. No lost deposit.

Animal Murals for Renters and Growing Children

Why landlords won't mind removable stickers

I hear this question constantly: "Will my landlord allow it?" Here's the thing—landlords say no to paint, wallpaper, and nails. They say no because they're protecting their walls from damage. Removable wall stickers don't damage walls. They peel off cleanly, leaving no marks and no sticky patches. I've never heard of a parent losing their deposit over a sticker.

When tastes change overnight

Your two-year-old adores giraffes. By three, it's all about tigers. Our animal murals for nursery spaces let you keep pace without stress. Peel off the old design during nap time, put up the new one, and you're done before they wake up.

How stickers saved the day for real parents

One mum told me she applied an entire woodland scene during her baby's afternoon nap. Another swapped safari animals for space rockets the night before her son's birthday party. These aren't people with decorating skills—they're just parents who wanted their child's room to feel special without committing to something permanent.

Choosing the Right Size, Style, and Mix for Your Space

One big statement or lots of small touches?

A single feature wall creates drama without overwhelming a small nursery. Cover one wall with a jungle scene or safari animals, then leave the others neutral.

If you prefer subtlety, scatter individual creatures: a giraffe beside the wardrobe, a fox near the bookshelf, a monkey above the changing table. Both approaches work. It just depends whether you want impact or understated charm.

Matching stickers to what you've already got

Look at your bedding, curtains, and rug. What colours dominate? If your nursery is mostly grey and white, choose black-and-white or pastel animal designs. If you've got warm tones, woodland creatures in browns and greens will feel cohesive. Pick designs that echo colours already in the room and you won't go wrong.

Getting the size right for your walls

Measure your wall before you buy. A design that looks perfect online might feel cramped in a small room or lost on a high ceiling. Most sticker sets list dimensions—check those against your space. Large wall murals need room to breathe. Smaller stickers work better around furniture or in compact nurseries.

Creating impact for under £35

You don't need to cover every wall. Start with one statement piece or a small cluster of animals. Add more later if you want. A few well-placed creatures can transform a nursery without draining your budget, leaving money for the essentials (like nappies—so many nappies). For more about murals as an art form, you can read this mural article.

Making Your Animal Mural Decision Work Long-Term

Start with one or two stickers, not a whole room

If you're unsure, buy one or two individual animal stickers rather than a full wall set. Apply them, live with them for a week, and see how they feel. You can always add more. This costs less upfront and takes the pressure off getting everything "right" in one go.

Building your child's room over years, not one weekend

Start with calming woodland animals for a newborn. Add playful jungle creatures when they become a curious toddler. Swap in safari animals when they start asking questions about the world. You don't need to plan the perfect nursery in one decorating session. Interested in the history of animals in art? Learn more from this animal art spotlight by the Smithsonian.

What happens when the cot becomes a bed?

Furniture changes. The cot becomes a bed. The changing table becomes a desk. When you rearrange the room, peel off designs that no longer suit the layout and reposition them where they work better. Your walls can change with the room's function—that's the whole point.

Knowing when to refresh vs. starting fresh

If your child still loves the theme but the stickers look tired, refresh a few pieces rather than replacing everything. Swap out one or two animals for new designs in similar colours. If their interests have completely shifted, remove everything and start fresh. Either way takes less than an hour. For inspiration, explore this list of artists painting animals on walls.

Before you buy: five minutes of planning that'll save you hassle

Measure your wall space and note the colours already in the room. Look at your child's current favourite books or toys—that'll tell you which animals they're drawn to. Check whether your walls are freshly painted (if so, wait two weeks). Decide whether you want a bold feature wall or scattered accents. That's it. Five minutes of planning beats buying designs that don't quite fit.

Check stickers for Ikea Trofast drawers can help you coordinate storage and wall décor for a nursery that feels properly thought-through. Animal murals for walls bring life to children's spaces without the commitment or cost of paint. More importantly, they let you create rooms that reflect who your child is today—with the freedom to change direction tomorrow.