Wallpaper - Des Moines Iowa Skyline Concrete

Created by Michael Tompsett, this architectural wallpaper mural captures the Des Moines skyline in bold silhouette against a textured concrete-look background. The graphic profile of the Iowa capital, with its landmark buildings and bridge structures, anchors the horizontal centre, while expressive ink splatters and paint drips bleed downwards from the base of the skyline. Rendered in tones of charcoal grey, soft cement grey, and off-white stone, the design brings an urban, artistic quality to the wall. Like all our mural wallpapers, it is made-to-measure to your exact wall dimensions and printed on PVC-free paper with a subtle physical structure.

In the room

We see this design working particularly well in a home office, study, or living room where you want to introduce an architectural focal point. Because the skyline forms a distinct horizontal band across the lower and middle composition, it naturally suits a wider, uninterrupted wall where the full expanse of the cityscape can stretch out without heavy disruption. In a study or workspace, positioning the mural behind a desk allows the clear open space above the buildings to keep the upper room feeling airy, while the darker ink drips ground the lower wall. In a living room, placing it along a main sofa wall gives the room a striking graphic backdrop that remains visually grounded.

Styling it

The blend of sharp silhouette and raw, concrete-inspired visual texture pairs naturally with contemporary and industrial-leaning interiors. We would balance the strong dark charcoal forms with low-profile furniture and clean, unembellished shapes to keep the focus on the architectural horizon. Matte black metal accents, such as a minimalist desk frame or subtle picture ledges on adjacent walls, will echo the deep tones of the ink work. For surrounding materials, warm timber or soft woven upholstery helps soften the urban aesthetic without competing with the graphic skyline.

Colour combinations

The wallpaper is defined by deep charcoal grey and soft, neutral concrete greys set against an off-white backdrop. To create a cohesive room scheme, we recommend pairing it with muted wall paint on adjacent surfaces, such as cool pale greys, warm stone, or off-white. If you want to introduce deeper contrast, a dark charcoal or slate on architectural trim or doors creates an intentional, framed look. When adding colour through soft furnishings, muted earthy tones like rust, olive green, or warm ochre introduce warmth while allowing the monochrome city profile to remain the primary visual statement.

About our wallpaper

At Wallism, we produce made-to-measure wallpapers tailored specifically to your supplied wall dimensions. Choosing custom dimensions helps reduce unnecessary excess wallpaper compared to standard fixed-size rolls. Our wallpapers are PVC-free and printed on paper featuring a subtle physical structure that is straightforward to hang, offering options suited to both homeowners and renters.