Decorating with maps – 10 easy ways to add character and charm

Decorating with maps is a brilliant way to bring depth, interest and a unique, personal touch to interiors, plus they can be wonderfully decorative.

Whether introduced as framed artwork, wall murals or even in more creative ways through furniture design or splashbacks, maps make a great focal point and imbue spaces with stories and memories – no matter what your interior design style.

If you’re thinking of decorating with maps we're here to help you navigate your design journey and have rounded up an array of creative ideas to get you inspired alongside some insights from interior designers.

How to decorate with maps

Decorating with maps is nothing new. Geographical maps have graced the walls of palaces, stately homes and grand buildings for centuries.

While maps have the power to transport us back in time, they needn't be reserved for grand historic buildings. Atlas wall murals are a great way to bring a sense of adventure and place to both historic and contemporary homes. They can be bought ready-printed as wallcoverings or custom-printed and cropped into certain destinations.

Nor do maps need to be displayed on a grand scale – simply framed as part of a gallery wall or even laminated on the top of a desk and they can make a playful, unique feature.

The beauty of decorating with maps is that they are hugely versatile making them a staple design feature of interior designers. 'Maps add character and a sense of place to interiors; they are perfect artwork for making a room feel uniquely personal to its owners,’ explains interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.

Choosing art is a hugely subjective thing and it can often be hard for family members to agree, yet as maps are relatively inoffensive they make perfect wall art, particularly for busy spaces or guest bedrooms.

1. Create a formal look with a grid of framed maps

Antique maps are a wonderful way to bring a sense of history to a traditional townhouse. When it comes to decorating with art, how works are framed and displayed can have as much of an impact on the look and feel of a room as the artwork itself. For a sophisticated look, you can't go wrong with a grid of maps in narrow black frames.

For the formal living room of this London townhouse designed by Lauren Gilberthorpe, the brief was to create a sophisticated yet updated grown-up space suitable for evening gatherings. ‘When considering the wall decor, we chose a Ben Pentreath-inspired map wall depicting 18th-century London. This choice was driven by the desire to juxtapose the historical significance of the townhouse with modern, whimsical elements,’ says Lauren.

‘I found the maps and loved how they resonated with the homeowners' love for London. The map wall was pivotal in setting the tone for the entire room. It allowed us to blend the old with the new seamlessly, creating a space that feels both timeless and contemporary.'

2. Create a feature wall with a map mural

Map wall murals make a fun alternative to traditional patterned wallpapers and are guaranteed to create a talking point with guests. For Perfitt Richards Interior Design, an enlarged antique map made the perfect personal accent wall in the dining room of this Santa Monica family home while keeping the space neutral and bright.

'The house is located in the Santa Monica mountains, and the interior architecture is a rich combination of textured and smooth stone walls, timeless oak floors, and an entry staircase with a balustrade that mimics the dappled leaves of the outdoor trees. With these subtle architectural elements, we chose to embrace a neutral palette with statement pieces, decor and finishes,' explains Joyce Richards, co-founder of Perfitt Richards Interior Design.

'The map on the dining room wall is an example of one of these statement finishes. The family has a love for history and the son was gifted a special antique map of the Roman Empire from his grandmother. This prompted the idea to enlarge this particular map as a mural for the dining wall. The process proved challenging, but with the help of a digital printing company and an expert wallpaper installer, the idea came to fruition.'

3. Create a quirky gallery wall

Small framed maps can have as much of an impact as large scale murals – it all comes down to how they're displayed. For a quirky gallery wall look for vintage maps in an assortment of sizes, frames and mounting styles.

Go for an irregular a-symmetrical composition for a more eclectic look, but be sure to lay out the arrangement on the floor before knocking in nails. Alternatively, choose a grid for smarter look.

4. Bring a sense of place

As a personal touch, the owners of this contemporary Roundhouse kitchen chose to complete the scheme with an enlarged wall map of their local London borough, Richmond. Not only does the map help conceal a hidden door, it also brings depth and interest to the space, while the varied forms and shapes help soften the sleek lines of the handleless cabinetry.

5. Create a feature wall in a home office

Decorating a home office can be a tricky balancing act. While it can be tempting to brighten up these often-forgotten spaces with a vibrant wall treatment, it's equally important that the space remains calming and conducive to concentration. Wall maps make a wonderful solution, offering interest and pattern without being overwhelming. For a sophisticated feel go for a monochrome design and pair it with statement lighting as done in this space by ND Studios.

‘Using map wallpaper adds a rich layer of character and purpose to the space. In the study, it evokes a sense of exploration, knowledge, and curiosity, aligning perfectly with the room’s function as a place for learning and deep thought,' says Natascha Dartnall, founder of ND Studios.

6. Bring a sense of adventure to a child's room

Ignite a love for travel in youngsters by decorating with maps in children's bedrooms. A colorful floor-to-ceiling wall mural will let them dream big and makes a great starting point for a color scheme. Maps can also be a wonderful way to pay homage to family heritage too, as demonstrated in this space designed by Emma Gurner.

'The bedroom was for a 12-year-old boy and he wanted to incorporate something of his South African roots into the scheme. The map wallpaper from Rebel Walls was cropped and sized so that South Africa could be seen when sitting at the desk,' explains Emma Gurner, founder of Folds Inside Studio.

7. Make your maps pop with a bold wall color

As many maps are monochrome they can look really effective when set against vibrant colored walls. If you're color-confident, why not go for an accent wall in a bright jewel tone as in this green living room by Emma Gurner?

'The owners of this home were keen travelers and loved maps so they purchased these framed prints to hang in their living room. The bright green background chosen creates a feature of this wall making the monochrome maps pop,' says Emma Gurner.

The idea can work the other way too. If you're looking for muted artworks to balance bold walls then a framed map might just be the pared-back artwork you need to bring balance.

8. Liven up a home bar

Small areas and nooks like home bars which can be closed off and hidden away make great spaces for introducing surprise decorative details. Here ND Studios combined marbles, maps, mirrors and metallics to create a luxurious home bar reminiscent of the golden age of ocean liner travel in early 20th century.

'For the bar, the map wallpaper creates an adventurous atmosphere, sparking conversation and transporting guests to different parts of the world, making it an inviting and intriguing place to relax. It's a unique design choice that connects both spaces with a shared theme of discovery and travel,’ says ND Studios' founder, Natascha Dartnall.

9. Bring an element of surprise to a cloakroom

Quirky wallpapers are ideal for cloakrooms. Here they can inspire and delight for short periods of time without overwhelming larger spaces, plus they will spark conversation with guests and visitors.

An intricate monochrome map across all four walls makes a fun alternative to a traditional pattern and can be designed to capture memorable places or special links. For extra wow-factor team it with colorful wainscot paneling.

10. Decorate with map-inspired fabrics

Maps needn't only be used on walls, they can make for wonderful statement drapes and upholstery, too. Inspired by an antique map in the V&A archives of Srinagar – the capital of Kashmir – The Map print by Lewis & Wood is fabulously detailed and has a quirky charm. The design is available as a panel for wallpaper and fabric in either a Maxi or Mini size, perfect for smaller upholstery projects or making a dramatic statement over walls.

Whether you have a passion for travel, are looking to pay homage to a location close to your heart, or simply love their decorative qualities, there's lots of scope for decorating with maps within interior design.

Maps are a versatile design feature and can make wonderful wall murals and framed prints but can also be introduced over fabrics and fun furniture ideas. What's more, depending on how they are used, they can help conjure all sorts of moods from one of historic grandeur to curiosity and adventure.

While they are commonly used in children's rooms they also fit well in small spaces like home offices, libraries, home bars and cloakrooms.