When most people think of drywall, they think about how they are going to cover it up. To most people, drywall isn’t an architectural feature worth highlighting; rather, it’s like the studs, the concrete foundation and HVAC ductwork: nothing more or less than essential building material.

However, there’s a way to do more with drywall. Using drywall beads, accessories and ingenuity, you can transform your space into an architectural phenomenon. Here are a few artists and ideas to get you started.

Sculpture

It’s possible for people to make artwork in any medium, and drywall is no exception. Hanging drywall in full sheets to form a flat wall isn’t the only way to use drywall, and drywall artists prove it. Every year, architects and sculptors craft wonder out of drywall (and other materials) by forming the stuff into unbelievable shapes, installing it in unique ways and generally transforming boring rooms into one-of-a-kind works of art.

Admittedly, it isn’t advised that you, someone inexperienced with construction, architecture, design and high art, try to accomplish a similar work in your home. However, if you have some spare cash and a potentially grand room, you might consider hiring a well-known drywall sculptor to create something magnificent in your home. It’s not an inexpensive endeavor, but it is one that will make your house stand out. And if you do attempt to make your own drywall sculpture, remember that Chicago drywall repair is just a click away.

Crown Moldings

Crown moldings instantly class up any room. They create a frame with the baseboards that makes your normal walls look like art installations; they draw viewers’ eyes upwards and give the ceiling structure without any gaudiness or distraction; and crown moldings can even increase the value of your home because they look so upscale. There are a few different styles of crown moldings, from simple and modern to ornate, and moldings come in a variety of materials, as well. Unlike with more intricate drywall art, you can install crown moldings yourself — but that doesn’t mean you should. To ensure they are even and level, your crown moldings are best installed by a qualified professional.

Revealsand Shadow Bead

If you are a fan of modern design, you’ll be a fan of reveals in your drywall. Reveals create strong, crisp lines in a wall to break up the flat expanse and add visual interest. Typically, reveals are made from unpainted, eye-catching material like aluminum. Shadow bead is similar to a reveal in that it creates a crisp line, but in this case it does so with a straight, thin depression rather than a different material.

Both reveals and shadows are a relatively new innovation in architecture, which is why they are most often found in newer office spaces with a modern feel. However, if your home has an expansive wall that leaves you bored, you might consider installing a one or the other types of drywall bead to create an artistic finish that breaks up the space in an interesting way.

Chamfer

In carpentry, you can chamfer a piece of wood to create a symmetrical, sloping edge instead of a sharp corner. In construction, you can do the same with your walls to blunt the harsh, pointed corners and create a more intricate look. Chamfer doesn’t take all the angle out of your walls — for a rounded appearance, you’ll want to read about bullnose, which is next. Still, chamfer beads on the corners of your walls look striking and unique, helping to set your home a bit above the rest.

Bullnose

As mentioned above, bullnose corners are totally rounded, without any pointed angle to them at all. This can make your home safer for young children or advanced seniors who are at risk of falling, and it provides a smoother, more organic feel within your home. There are two types of bullnose bead: a metal, nail-in kind and a metal, paper-face kind. While the latter tends to be more expensive, it is faster to install, easier to install and more resistant to chipping, which occurs to all wall corners over time. Regardless, both chamfer and bullnose drywall beads need to be installed with the walls by professionals, who have the tools and expertise to ensure the bead stays on the corners and looks good, too.

There is more you can do with drywall than hang it flat. By looking into the types of bead you can install or being creative with shapes and angles, you can create a masterwork out of your walls.