We’ll just come out and say it: TikTok may usurp Pinterest as the go-to source for design inspo. Case in point: the new DIY mural trend that’s taken the social platform by storm, thanks to creatives like @life.with.sophie.marie, @copeleydesigns, @saralesneski, and @marley.makes.things.

As spotted on: cozy happy home // grillo designs // gold a la mode

Using a gallon of paint, plenty of tape, a level, and roughly six hours of time, these design lovers have created an easy, budget-friendly, and fun way to add a non-committal  pop of color to your space. If your landlord vetoes the look, you mess up, or you’re simply over the design six months later, no sweat — just paint over it. 

True to form, our lead designer Melissa Wagner couldn’t wait to tackle this project in her own living room. “This isn’t my forever home, so I was looking for a low-lift, inexpensive way to revamp the fireplace without taking a sledgehammer to the tile,” she shares. “I basically decided to trick the eye into making the fireplace disappear by painting a long column up to the ceiling and blending in the side tiles with the rest of the wall.”

BEFORE

AFTER

While planning the design took a bit longer than anticipated, she completed the entire project in just 4.5 hours. “I absolutely love how it turned out,” she adds. “You can see this wall from so many vantage points in our home, so it’s really transformed the entire space.” In Wagner’s own words, find her step-by-step mural DIY plus a few pro tips below. 

Everything You’ll Need

• Wide bristle paint brush
• Small detail paint brush
• Paint roller
• Paint tray
• Painter’s tape
• Ladder
• Drop cloth or floor covering 
• Best primer for the surface you’re painting
• Paint color of your choosing 
• Level
• Pencil

Achieve the TikTok Paint Trend in 5 Easy Steps

Step One: Clean your surface. 

While easy to overlook, this is an important step, especially if you’re painting a tile! Dust or wipe down your surface with a damp cloth to achieve the smoothest possible finish.

Step Two: Prep your area. 

Spread out and affix your drop cloths to protect your flooring, trim, and any nearby furniture. I used painter’s tape and a plastic drop cloth on my baseboards, hardwood floors, and a bit of a nearby rug. Next, outline your canvas with painter’s tape — I taped off my fireplace frame and the wall around the tile to keep my design clean and crisp. 

Step Three: Prime your surface. 

While you may not think primer is necessary here, applying a coat or two (again, especially when tackling tile) creates an even canvas for your DIY. My walls were freshly painted, so I only primed my tile pre-color. 

Step Four: Tape out your design. 

This is where things can get a bit tricky! Because I went with a straight vertical column from the edges of my fireplace frame, I only needed a long level, a pencil, and painter’s tape to create my outline. But the sky’s the limit when it comes to the design — TikTokers have mastered angular color blocking, oversized graphic shapes in lieu of wallpaper, or DIY frames to accentuate architectural features in your home, like a window or french doors. The classic painted arch is incredibly popular and a great way to anchor a piece of furniture against a  wall, like a bed, crib, sofa, dresser, or desk (for this look, you’ll need string, strong tape, and a pencil to nail the perfect symmetrical arch).

Step Five: Paint it up. 

Now for the fun part! Using your roller and brushes, apply two coats of paint to make sure the area is fully saturated and streak-free. Don’t go too crazy with the layers — having too much paint on your roller or brush increases the likelihood of having it seap underneath the tape. If that happens, let everything dry, and then go in with a smaller touch-up brush to smooth the edges.

Step Six: Let everything dry & enjoy! 

Wait a full 24 hours, and then remove the tape and drop cloth to unveil your finished design! Word to the wise: I got too eager and removed the tape before everything was completely cured, and I definitely had a few jagged lines to correct post-project. Patience is key!

Overall, I had so much fun with this TikTok home decor trend and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to spice up their space without making a huge commitment. Because this project is so impermanent, my best advice is to be bold, take a risk, and have fun with it! 

Looking to see your space in a bold and new way? Our designers are standing by with all the pro tips, tricks and ideas to consider, as well as a curated shopping list to bring your design to life. Get started with our style quiz.