12 Grown-Up Wall Decals That Wow
Wall decals aren’t just for the kids; big people can have sophisticated stick-on fun too
When you’ve already toyed with wallpaper, played with paint effects and roughed up with raw wood, you may be seeking new ways to bring energy and excitement to your walls. Forget alphabets and fairies, removable vinyl stickers known as decals have matured beyond the nursery and there are now styles to suit every room in the house. Wall stickers are easily applied and just as easily removed, making them a great alternative to artwork or wallpaper if you want the freedom to be able to change things up when the mood strikes. These fresh wall decals show how easily they can bring some fun and personality to a home.
2. Repeat stickers
If you love the idea of wallpaper but don’t want to commit to covering your whole room, removable decal stickers are a great option. Apply stickers evenly or randomise your approach. Either way, they are easily removed when you are ready for a change.
If you love the idea of wallpaper but don’t want to commit to covering your whole room, removable decal stickers are a great option. Apply stickers evenly or randomise your approach. Either way, they are easily removed when you are ready for a change.
3. Renter’s delight
Wall decals can quickly make the stark, white walls of your rental more homey, and when you are ready to leave, the stickers can easily be removed with no trace left behind.
Wall decals can quickly make the stark, white walls of your rental more homey, and when you are ready to leave, the stickers can easily be removed with no trace left behind.
4. Worldly walls
Install a world map that embraces the colour scheme of your room; they are a great way to engage your children – and your travel fantasies. Track where family and friends are travelling, plot your next adventure, dream big. And if you are nervous about art hanging above your head (don’t trust those hooks?) a decal is a great option for above your bed.
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Install a world map that embraces the colour scheme of your room; they are a great way to engage your children – and your travel fantasies. Track where family and friends are travelling, plot your next adventure, dream big. And if you are nervous about art hanging above your head (don’t trust those hooks?) a decal is a great option for above your bed.
Browse more bedroom design ideas
5. Bedhead with a difference
Create the look of a bedhead to anchor your bed, without the effort of building or upholstering the real thing. Look for pretty, all-over patterns that suggest architecture: this example has the look of old plaster work. Stickers are great space savers in a tiny space.
Create the look of a bedhead to anchor your bed, without the effort of building or upholstering the real thing. Look for pretty, all-over patterns that suggest architecture: this example has the look of old plaster work. Stickers are great space savers in a tiny space.
6. Randomised dots
Dots sprinkled up the wall look at home in a teenage girl’s bedroom. Shiny gold dots make a glam retreat, especially when you repeat the metallics in other touches around the room. Play with the spacing of the dots to draw the eye to a focal point such as the cute desk.
PRO TIP: Use a sprinkling of decal stickers to define zones in a small area. The dots here help to define the study zone. Your Decal Shop and BC Magic Wallpaper have some great options, as well as everyone’s favourite dots.
Dots sprinkled up the wall look at home in a teenage girl’s bedroom. Shiny gold dots make a glam retreat, especially when you repeat the metallics in other touches around the room. Play with the spacing of the dots to draw the eye to a focal point such as the cute desk.
PRO TIP: Use a sprinkling of decal stickers to define zones in a small area. The dots here help to define the study zone. Your Decal Shop and BC Magic Wallpaper have some great options, as well as everyone’s favourite dots.
7. Staircase whimsy
This is a fun way to get the kids talking with each step they take up the stairs (not so sure about the family feline’s reaction). If small animals aren’t your thing, you could play with numbers marching up the stairs, or chop up words from a poem or saying. Or, try snipping a botanical decal to wind its way up the stairs. Note that decals require a smooth, clean and non-textured surface to adhere successfully.
This is a fun way to get the kids talking with each step they take up the stairs (not so sure about the family feline’s reaction). If small animals aren’t your thing, you could play with numbers marching up the stairs, or chop up words from a poem or saying. Or, try snipping a botanical decal to wind its way up the stairs. Note that decals require a smooth, clean and non-textured surface to adhere successfully.
8. Family calendar
A central hallway by the main doorway makes a great spot for the family’s calendar. You can use chalkboard wall stickers that you can easily wipe off for next month, or dry-erase vinyl wall decals.
A central hallway by the main doorway makes a great spot for the family’s calendar. You can use chalkboard wall stickers that you can easily wipe off for next month, or dry-erase vinyl wall decals.
9. Floral dress
When you have moisture to contend with, vinyl stickers are an easy answer to dressing up your bathroom, as they are wipeable and moisture-proof. Choose a subtle contrast between the wall colour and the decal for a soft, romantic look.
TIP: Be sure the walls are totally dry before you apply the decal: wait until there is no condensation from the shower and don’t apply on a humid or damp day as the adhesives won’t work. Be careful with newly painted walls, as some paints need a few weeks to cure before you apply. Some don’t work well on low-VOC paints (most perform best on high- or semi-gloss) so check with the supplier.
Feelgood fixes for ugly bathrooms
When you have moisture to contend with, vinyl stickers are an easy answer to dressing up your bathroom, as they are wipeable and moisture-proof. Choose a subtle contrast between the wall colour and the decal for a soft, romantic look.
TIP: Be sure the walls are totally dry before you apply the decal: wait until there is no condensation from the shower and don’t apply on a humid or damp day as the adhesives won’t work. Be careful with newly painted walls, as some paints need a few weeks to cure before you apply. Some don’t work well on low-VOC paints (most perform best on high- or semi-gloss) so check with the supplier.
Feelgood fixes for ugly bathrooms
10. Creative hooks
Integrate a wall decal with hooks for a fun and functional feature. Look for patterns that have obvious graphics – these leaves are great – that you can use as the template for placing hooks. You could play with coloured knobs (try a specialty handle shop) to amp up a black-and-white graphic, or match the tones on a multi-coloured scene.
Integrate a wall decal with hooks for a fun and functional feature. Look for patterns that have obvious graphics – these leaves are great – that you can use as the template for placing hooks. You could play with coloured knobs (try a specialty handle shop) to amp up a black-and-white graphic, or match the tones on a multi-coloured scene.
11. Words of wisdom
A black focal wall in an all-white kitchen is a great place to add dramatic white text. Take advantage of customised wall decal services and choose words that hold special meaning for your family.
A black focal wall in an all-white kitchen is a great place to add dramatic white text. Take advantage of customised wall decal services and choose words that hold special meaning for your family.
12. Graphic statement
Have a striking design made to go with the style of your home. A glossy or metallic finish really makes the art pop.
TELL US
Chic wall decals – have you given them a try in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more accent wall ideas
Have a striking design made to go with the style of your home. A glossy or metallic finish really makes the art pop.
TELL US
Chic wall decals – have you given them a try in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more accent wall ideas
Add instant depth and character to an otherwise ordinary living room with an unexpected backdrop. Decals can cover a lot of space, often for less money than artwork.