I also have a bare wall behind the crib (except for border in the center of the wall). I am hesitant to hang anything there because DS may be able to pull down whatever I put there. I have been warned about this by other mothers so I'm going with the plain look for now. I have thought about painting DS's name above the crib, but you want to avoid painting. If the stickers don't work, I have no creative ideas, but I would avoid using things that can fall or be pulled down.