Can YOU help me?

I'm searching for bulletin board ideas to sustain me through the next year.  Can you help?

For the past 9 years I've had colorful fabric as the background on my bulletin board in my classroom.  It doesn't fade nor does it get full of holes from the push pins!  Here's my problem:  the fire marshall has cracked down on us.  Because our building is older and does not have a sprinkler system we are only allowed to cover 20% of our wall.  That means that if we cover our bulletin boards with cloth or butcher paper background, we are already over our 20% coverage limit!!!  That makes for a very drab classroom.  =(

I know there are a lot of creative minds out there, so do you have any ideas for me?  I'd love to hear them!