Contemporary Whimsical Wall Decor

Rainbow Stripes

• An easy way to add whimsy to a room is to incorporate bold, bright colors. Using several bright shades together to create an accent wall can create a fun look. Draw inspiration from the rainbow and decorate with stripes of red, orange, yellow, blue, green and violet for a vibrant, eye-catching look. Stripes are easy to create if you measure carefully and use painter's tape to mark off the areas for each color. It can be a time-consuming process, however, because you may have to wait for one shade to dry before moving on to the next. You can opt for vertical or horizontal stripes, depending on which looks best for the dimensions of your room. To create a more textured look, you can vary the sizes of the stripes as well.

Collections

• Display a collection of some of your favorite objects along a wall. Larger is definitely better, so gather as many items as you can to create a unique, interesting wall display. A collection of clocks in various styles and materials can create a fun look. If you enjoy picking up postcards during your travels, place them in frames or photo mattes and display them on your wall. For a funky look, a collection of vintage silverware is a fun idea. Place them inside shadow boxes and cover the wall with your favorite flea market finds. If you enjoy music, hang vintage album covers across the wall. You can do the same with covers from vintage sports yearbooks as well. Even an eclectic collection of framed pictures--such as photos, art prints and your children's artwork--can create a whimsical look that still has a modern flair.

Homemade Wallpaper

• While you can sometimes find wallpaper with a whimsical pattern, it often has a dated look that might not fit a contemporary design. However, for a more modern feel, you can make your own wallpaper from various paper items that have interesting patterns or designs. For example, use sheet music to cover a wall if you're a music fan. Paper a study wall with vintage maps or pages from your favorite book. If you enjoy sewing, old dress patterns are ideal as well. You can use any paper material you like as long as it's thick enough to stand up to the adhesive without breaking down. Apply the paper materials as whole sheets or tear them into pieces for a more textured look. Use wallpaper paste or a thick mixture of water and white glue to apply your homemade wallpaper.

Polka Dots

• Patterned walls often have a whimsical look, but polka dots may add the most quirky look of all to your room. You can find round stencils in various shapes at your local craft store, so you can easily add polka dots to any wall. Varying the shape of the dots creates a more interesting look, as does varying the colors. For a fun look in a children's room, bright polka dots in red, yellow, pink, purple or blue can be fun. For a more sophisticated, modern look in your bedroom, dining room or living room, consider adding black polka dots to a white wall.