Interior design: Colour drenching

It’s a maximalist’s dream: colour drenching. And while not brand new, it continues to pick up traction. “Colour drenching gained popularity in 2024 and its appeal continues to grow in 2025,” says Emily Kantz, colour marketing manager for Sherwin-Williams.

“This technique involves immersing the space in a single colour, applying it to walls, ceilings and architectural features like trim and moldings.” Designer Nathalia Hara, co-founder and principal designer for One Group Design + Build in the Greater Toronto Area, is “definitely” seeing growing interest in colour drenching. “Clients who want a sophisticated, yet cohesive, look are drawn to this technique because it creates a seamless, immersive effect,” she says.



“While neutral palettes remain popular, there’s a shift towards using deeper, richer tones to add character and depth.” There are numerous reasons why you might want to consider colour drenching a room. “Using the same colour throughout a space allows the eyes to relax and take in the whole room without darting around from contrast to contrast,” says Benjamin Moore’s colour and design expert Sharon Grech.

“Colour drenching is also a great way to highlight architectural details in a subtle, sophisticated way since it emphasizes depth without strong contrast,” she says. “It can also be a functional design tool to help disguise awkward intersections, such as angled ceilings, giving the visual impression of more height or to camouflage utilitarian necessities like radiators or odd placed doors and mismatched trim.” CHOOSING A COLOUR Certainly, the impact of colour drenching is more dramatic with dark colours, but you can colour drench in light and midtone colours, too, Grech notes.

“When you are ready to select a paint colour for drenching, be sure to consider the tones of the large, fixed elements in the room, such as the floor, to avoid a sharp contrast. “You don’t have to match the floor colour but if the floor or other large surfaces are much lighter or darker than the paint colour, you risk minimizing the overall effect. It’s always helpful to find paint colour inspiration from items you already own, such as rugs and furniture textiles.

From there you can draw hues from dark to light and find your own colour comfort zone.” Warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows can make a room feel more inviting and energized, while cool colours like blues, greens and purples tend to create a calming and soothing environment, reports Hara. “Depending on the room’s function – such as a bedroom versus a living room – you may want to choose a tone that aligns with the room’s purpose.

” Remember, colours often have undertones, such as a blue with a green undertone or a beige with pink undertones, she adds. Pay attention to how those undertones might change with the light in the room, as that can influence the overall feel of the space. Consider the size of the room.

“Drenching a small room in a single colour can make it feel more spacious and cohesive but very dark colours can make it feel more cramped,” Hara says. “Lighter shades can help open up the space, while deeper hues may add drama, making the room feel more intimate.” Larger spaces, meanwhile, can handle darker, richer colours or more varied tones.

“But if you go too bold, it can sometimes overwhelm the space,” she says. “Consider accentuating features like architectural details or specific zones within the room with slightly varied shades of the same colour.” PAINT SHEENS “Switching up the sheens adds depth and dimension to the space, preventing it from feeling flat and monotonous,” says Kantz.

“For walls, I recommend a matte or eggshell finish. For ceilings, use an ultra-matte or flat sheen and for trim and moldings, a semi-gloss finish works well. Furniture pieces like a bookcase can be finished in semi-gloss or higher gloss to add visual interest to the room.

” Can you colour drench a room without painting the ceiling? “Painting the walls and ceiling the same colour truly creates that cocooning, immersive feel that colour drenching is best known for,” Grech says. “You can achieve a toned-down version of the effect with a gradient of light to dark in the same hue by painting the ceiling a lighter version of the wall colour.” If you’re hesitant to paint the ceiling the same colour as the walls, Kantz also suggests painting it in a lighter version of the shade of the wall for a balanced look.

Add furniture, accessories and décor in the same colour as the walls. “Or, add crown molding in the wall colour to create a natural transition between the wall and the ceiling to create a polished, elevated look,” she says. Some rooms are better candidates for colour drenching than others.

“Avoid using this trend in an open floor layout – the beauty of colour drenching lies in its immersive experience within a room that has clear boundaries for the colour,” says Kantz. “Enclosed rooms like a home office are perfect candidates for colour drenching. This approach can create a dramatic backdrop for virtual meetings, making your space look professional and stylish on camera.

Powder rooms are also a great option for colour drenching, so a bold colour can make a significant impact without overwhelming the senses.” Dos and don’ts Benjamin Moore’s Sharon Grech offers some colour drenching dos and don’ts: Do keep in mind that any furnishings or items in the room that are not in the same hue will stand out. Use this to your advantage if you want to highlight a special piece or add strategic contrast.

Don’t be afraid to incorporate patterns and varied textures into furnishings and accessories. Do test out the colour in the room you’ll be painting with a paint sample before purchasing gallons..