It’s the latest home decor trend, but what exactly is colour drenching? Simply put, it means to paint an entire room with the same shade of paint. Not just the walls, but the skirting boards, doors, picture rails, window frames, coving, radiators and even the ceiling. Not a balanced palette of complimentary tones, but just ONE colour. It creates a seamless look, making a room feel bigger and allowing your furniture or art to become the focal point. Read on for inspiring examples, plus my top paint picks for colour drenching.
Image: @itsnotsogrimupnorth, Paint: Pink 03, Lick
If you want to introduce bold colour into your home but aren’t sure where to start, then colour drenching could be the answer. It provides a much simpler alternative to the 60-30-10 rule, which suggests that 60% of a room, e.g. the walls, be a dominant colour, 30%, e.g. the ceiling or curtains, be a secondary colour and the final 10%, e.g. cushions and accessories, be an accent colour. Instead, only one colour is needed.
Image: House & Garden, Paint: Louisburg Green, Benjamin Moore
Colour drenching purists might argue that not only should the same shade of paint be used, but also the same finish. However, choosing the most practical finish for your various surfaces seems a sensible compromise. For example, matt for walls and ceilings, satin or eggshell for woodwork. Most brands offer the same shade in multiple finishes to make this easier. Alternatively, many brands now offer multi-surface paint which can also be used on trickier areas such as radiators and uPVC. Always do your research or talk to an expert.
Colour Drenching in 2024
Colour drenching can create a gently cocooning space; somewhere to escape to. As such, it featured strongly in many of 2024’s Colour of the Year announcements, echoing popular themes of sanctuary and relaxation. Notable examples included Graham and Brown’s Viridis, Valspar’s Renew Blue and Benjamin Moore’s Blue Nova.
Complete the look
You can choose to complete the look with complementary furniture and accessories or make a statement with a contrasting pop of colour.
Colour drenching with neutrals
Colour drenching isn’t just for bold colours either. You can colour drench with neutrals too, creating the ultimate cosy, calming space.
Image: @tobyshome, Paint: Debate Club, COAT Paints
Colour drenching paint colours
Here are my top Rust-Oleum paint picks to try colour drenching. Rust-Oleum paints are available in matt, gloss and satin finishes plus they are suitable for multiple surfaces including walls and ceilings, interior wood, floors, furniture, radiators and uPVC, so perfect for colour drenching! Where possible I’ve included examples from real life projects shared on Instagram, full list below.
- Steamed Milk, a soft off-white with grey undertones, project by @itsinsidethatcounts
- Hessian, a cool toned beige, project by @a.reno.home
- Elbow Beach, a soft muted pink with grey undertones, project by @because.of.the.boys
- Little Light, a dusky pink with purple undertones
- Cafe Luxe, a sophisticated mid brown with grey and green undertones, project by @the.old.workhouse
- Dijon, a strong earthy yellow, project by @jackg88
- Aloe, a subtle mid grey-green
- Serenity, a rich dusky green with grey undertones, project by @littleedwardian
- Blueprint, a dark and dusty ink blue, project by @locationhouseofbeau
- Valentina, a dark cherry red with a brown undertone, project by @ourvictorianhome1875
- Grape Soda, a deep regal purple with a hint of black
- Dark Magic, an enchanting deep grey with a whisper of purple, project by @making_walford_magical
So, what do you think? Would you consider colour drenching? For more ideas check out my board on Pinterest.
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