History of Graffiti Wall Murals
Graffiti has traveled a long road from underground subculture to celebrated art form — and today, that same bold, expressive energy is one of the most popular styles for wall murals. Here's a brief history of graffiti, and how to bring its spirit into your home.
Quick answer
Graffiti art evolved from 1970s New York subway culture into a globally respected art form. Graffiti-inspired wall murals bring that same bold, expressive energy into a home office, media room, or teen's bedroom.
From the Streets to the Gallery
Graffiti as we know it today emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely out of New York City, where writers began tagging subway cars and city walls with stylized lettering and imagery. What began as an underground, often illegal practice evolved over the following decades into a respected art form, with graffiti artists eventually showing work in major galleries and museums around the world.
Graffiti in Modern Interior Design
Today, graffiti-inspired wall murals bring that same rebellious, expressive energy into homes and businesses. A bold graffiti mural adds instant personality to a media room, home office, or teen's bedroom, without requiring an actual trip to a back alley.
A Modern Twist: Samurai Graffiti Art
Some of the most striking modern graffiti murals blend traditional imagery with street-art techniques — like this samurai-inspired design, which combines classic Japanese subject matter with bold graphic energy.
From subway cars to gallery walls, graffiti's journey has made it one of the boldest, most expressive styles you can bring into your home. Browse our full Street Art collection, or contact us for help choosing a design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is graffiti-style wallpaper suitable for any room?
It works especially well in media rooms, home offices, and teen bedrooms, where a bold, energetic look is welcome — it's a bolder choice for more formal spaces.
Are graffiti-style wall murals removable?
Yes, all of our street-art and graffiti wall murals are available in removable, peel-and-stick materials.
Can graffiti-style wallpaper be customized?
Yes — use our custom image upload tool to create your own graffiti-inspired design.
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