Drywall Design Trends for 2026

Interior design is constantly evolving, with some once-popular looks fading, new ideas emerging and some classic styles making a comeback. To help homebuilders and homeowners alike stay ahead of these shifting preferences — especially when it comes to drywall design — we spoke with some of our favorite drywall finishers, renovators and industry experts. According to these pros, here are the drywall design trends to watch for in 2026!

Sharp arches

Just about every drywaller we spoke to for this story — whether they were from the U.S., Canada or even Australia — told us their clients have been asking for lots of archways lately, and expect to see even more coming in 2026. Combine that with another major trend of modern, sharp-profile corners, and you’ve got sharp arches popping up all over the place. And it’s not hard to see why these would be so popular: they’re eye-catching, sleek and timeless.

How to accomplish this look: Trim-Tex offers many shapes and sizes of arched drywall beads, but for modern, low-profile corners like these, you’ll want to pick up a box of Rigid Archway Corner Bead, with its sharp nose for sleek corners and pre-notched flanges for easily conforming to a curved surface. Or you could go for the Jumbo version, with extra-wide mud legs to tackle any corner, even when the framing’s not quite straight.

Discover more: Learn how to create a drywall archway from start to finish in this handy “Drywall 101” guide!

Subtle details over flashy finishes

As we’ve seen in years past, minimalism has become the go-to look for interior designers, especially when it comes to drywall. And, in a down market for residential construction right now, homebuyers don’t want to spend a ton on big, flashy designs — but they do want subtly eye-catching details that might appear to be more expensive than they really are. Think low-key designs, like baseboard reveals, trimless windows (see the next trend for more) and pocket doors.

How to accomplish this look: Accessories like L Beads are going to be your best friend to create interesting designs that won’t break the bank and won’t draw too much attention. For something like a shadow detail around (or in place of) base trim or a trimless door design, check out our Architectural Z Shadow Bead, and for reveals that break up wall partitions in subtle, yet unforgettable ways, you’ll want to try Architectural Reveal Bead.

Discover more: Learn how to create your own hidden, trimless pocket door here!

Drywall window returns over bulky trim

We love the look of a trimless drywall window return — something about wooden casing just looks old and outdated — and we were excited to hear from our drywall finishing community that these seem to be growing in popularity. Done right, drywall window returns aren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they can also be faster, easier and cost saving, too.

How to accomplish this look: The beads you’d pick here all depend on the size of your window return, but luckily, Trim-Tex offers a few extra-wide L Beads that will service a wide range of sizes. There’s the Oversized L Bead on the smallest end, then the larger Super L Bead and, biggest of all, Giant L Bead. Each of these feature pre-scored lines that allow you to easily tear them down to the size of your return. They install easily and cover the entire length of the return, making your job fast and easy to finish these areas.

Discover more: Check out our “Ultimate Guide” to finishing drywall window returns here!

Long-term functionality over aesthetics

Appearances aren’t everything — sometimes you just want your drywall to look pristine and crack-free, and want it to stay looking that way for many years to come. Especially in a time where budgets are becoming stretched thinner than ever, many homeowners care less about a fancy, eye-catching wall design and care more about not having to do maintenance on their drywall every six months. And who can blame them?

How to accomplish this: First off, the most important thing here is to take your time to make sure the work is done right — speed is great, but it isn’t everything. Secondly, using drywall accessories made from high-quality materials is going to go a long way toward long-term performance. 

There are many drywall beads out there you may have never considered for residential use, perhaps just because they aren’t 100% aesthetically pleasing. One great example are expansion beads: these should be placed in long, open stretches of drywall to drastically reduce the risk of cracking due to movement. Think garage ceilings, or transitional areas in the framing like staircases. You may not like the look of a line down the middle of your drywall, but you’re going to like that a lot more than a giant crack running down it.

Discover more: Here’s your guide to using vinyl expansion beads, from the standard to the subtle to the fire rated!

Want more inspiration for your drywall design work this year? Take a look through the Trim-Tex catalog! The 2026 edition is here, and it’s jam-packed with drywall solutions to make your work shine all year long! Hit the button below to get started.