Event Rental Trends Shaping 2026

How Is the Event Rental Industry Changing?

The events industry has undergone a massive shift since 2020. Clients expect more than beautiful decor -- they want immersive experiences that create moments worth sharing. That shift has driven a wave of new rental trends that are reshaping how events look and feel.

Here are the trends we continue to see shaping projects in 2026.

1. Mixed-Material Installations

Single-texture backdrops are less common now. Many teams are combining multiple materials: hedge walls with exposed wood frames, greenery panels alongside brushed metal, or living walls integrated with concrete elements.

This mixed-material approach creates visual depth and tactile interest that single-material setups cannot achieve. It reflects a broader design trend toward layered, textured environments.

2. Immersive Brand Environments

Brands have moved beyond the flat logo wall. The new standard is a fully immersive environment where attendees feel like they have entered the brand's world. This means multi-wall configurations, custom flooring, overhead elements, and carefully designed lighting that creates a total sensory experience.

Hedge walls serve as the foundational element for many of these immersive environments. They are modular enough to create complex configurations and neutral enough to support any brand aesthetic. See how brands are using them in our corporate event guide.

3. Sustainable Event Design

Sustainability is no longer optional -- it is expected. Event planners are prioritizing rentals over purchases, choosing reusable decor over single-use items, and selecting materials that can be returned, recycled, or composted.

Artificial hedge walls are inherently sustainable: they are rented, reused across hundreds of events, and last for years before replacement. Compared to buying fresh flowers or constructing custom backdrops that go to a landfill after one use, the environmental case for rental greenery is strong.

4. Intimate Scale, Premium Execution

The mega-event is giving way to smaller, more curated gatherings. But "smaller" does not mean "cheaper." Clients are investing more per guest to create premium experiences. A 50-person dinner with a stunning hedge wall backdrop, custom lighting, and live floral accents delivers more impact per dollar than a 500-person event with standard decor.

5. Content-First Design

Every element of event design is now evaluated through the lens of content creation. Will it photograph well? Does it look good on video? Is there a clear "hero moment" that attendees will share organically?

This content-first mindset has made hedge walls even more popular, because they provide a universally flattering backdrop that works in any lighting condition and from any angle.

6. Modular and Reconfigurable

Event designers want flexibility. The trend is toward modular components that can be reconfigured throughout an event -- a ceremony backdrop that transforms into a reception feature, or a press wall that becomes a cocktail lounge divider.

Modular hedge wall systems are designed for exactly this kind of adaptability. Panels can be rearranged between event phases in minutes. Explore custom configurations that support this flexibility.

7. Neon and LED Integration

Custom neon signage is not new, but the integration has gotten more sophisticated. Instead of a sign hanging on a hedge wall, designers are embedding LED elements directly into the foliage, creating patterns of light that seem to emerge from within the greenery.

The effect is particularly striking at evening events and on camera.

What Do These Trends Mean for Your Next Event?

The common thread across all of these trends is intentionality. Every element should serve a purpose, create an emotion, and translate to content. The days of decorating for the sake of decorating are over.

When planning your next event, think about the experience you want to create -- then work backward to the rentals that will support it. Browse real examples in our gallery.

Want to stay ahead of the trends? Talk to our team about what is working right now in your market.