Colour drenching adds instant style and brings a real sense of cohesion to any space. It’s one of those interior design trends that’s not going anywhere — and for good reason. It works in all house styles and rooms and looks just as amazing with soft neutrals as it does with bold, rich colours.
But what exactly is colour drenching, and how do you make it work in your own home?
We’re here with all the tips, colour drenching ideas and expert advice to get you started, with help from Caroline Woolmer, Head of Product Design at I Love Wallpaper.
Contents
- What is colour drenching?
- What are the benefits of colour drenching?
- How do I colour drench a room?
- Colour-drenching ideas and tips
- The best rooms to colour drench in your home
- Frequently asked questions
What is colour drenching?
Colour drenching is an interior design trend in which an entire room is ‘drenched’ in a single colour or tonal palette. Think painting the walls, ceilings, skirting boards, and sometimes doors, all in the same shade. Some even choose to extend this to furniture and accessories. The result is a space that feels intentional and calm, with a real sense of flow.
You don’t have to stick to just paint either. Combining wallpaper and paint in the same colour family is a great way to add texture and character without losing that cohesive feel.
Caroline says: “You might think colour drenching means bright, bold colours that shout for attention — but it doesn’t have to be like that at all. While bright colours can look amazing in their own right, using neutrals and muted palettes can also create a warm and inviting feel. It also helps make the room feel light and open.”
What are the benefits of colour drenching?
Colour drenching isn’t just a style choice — it has plenty of practical benefits that make it a great way to decorate any room. Here’s what makes it so popular:
It creates a cohesive space
Using one colour across walls, ceilings, skirting boards, and doors ties everything together. It makes the room feel calm and organised. As there aren’t lots of different colours competing, it creates a seamless flow that feels well thought-out.
It makes rooms feel cosier
Wrapping a room in one colour palette softens the edges between walls, ceilings, and trims, creating a seamless flow that feels warm and welcoming. It’s ideal for spaces where you want to switch off and unwind, like bedrooms, living rooms, or reading nooks.
“When decorating, people often focus on trying to make a room feel bigger — but I don’t think that should always be the main goal,” says Caroline. “Don’t be afraid to go a little darker. A deeper tone used across the whole space can create a really comforting, cocooning effect — especially in bedrooms, where you want to feel calm.”
It can help disguise awkward features
If you’ve got low ceilings, odd corners, or unusual architectural features, colour drenching can actually help tone them down. Painting everything the same colour draws less attention to where one surface ends and another begins, helping those tricky spots blend into the background.
Makes small rooms feel bigger
It might seem bold, but using one colour throughout a small space can actually make it feel larger. Without contrasting tones to break things up, your eye moves around more freely. In lighter colours, this can help a space feel airy and open.
It gives furniture and decor a chance to shine
With a single-colour backdrop, your furniture, art, and accessories really pop, especially if you use a contrasting material or colour. Think velvet sofas against inky blue walls, or brass fittings on soft sage green. The colour drench creates a clean canvas that makes everything else look more considered.
How do I colour drench a room?
1. Choose your colour wisely — “To colour drench a room, start by working out a colour you love. Just make sure it goes with the other elements in the room, like your flooring, natural light, and existing furniture,” suggests Caroline.
2. Test before you commit — Before you paint or wallpaper the whole room, test your colours properly. Caroline says: “Paint large swatches on different walls and look at them at different times of day to see how the light affects them. Hold up wallpaper samples next to it, too. Even if they’re similar shades, textures and finishes can change how they feel in the space.”
3. Prep your surfaces — Don’t skip prep! Clean your walls, fill any holes, and sand where needed. Now’s also the time to remove any old wallpaper. A smooth, well-prepped wall makes all the difference, especially when you’re using one colour across the whole room.
4. Paint from the top down — “I always recommend starting from the top down,” suggests Caroline. “So, ceiling first, then walls and any fitted furniture, and finally your skirting boards. That way, any drips or overlaps are easy to fix as you go.”
5. Add your wallpaper (optional) — “If you’re using wallpaper, remember to always paint first,” says Caroline. “Get your walls, ceiling, and woodwork done before adding it. That way, you’re not risking splashes of paint, and it’s easier to get clean neat edges where the wallpaper meets painted areas. Once the paint is fully dry, you can hang the wallpaper.”
Colour-drenching ideas and tips
There are loads of creative ways to make colour drenching work in your space, whether you’re keeping it simple or going all-out.
Paint fitted furniture
To really commit to colour drenching, don’t stop at the walls. Built-in wardrobes, shelves or bookcases can all be painted the same shade to create a seamless, uninterrupted feel.
It’s especially effective in small or awkwardly shaped rooms, where bulky furniture can feel overpowering in a contrasting colour. Matching everything to the walls helps it visually recede, so the room feels more open.
Use contrasting furniture and accessories
“A colour-drenched backdrop gives you the perfect excuse to get playful with your furniture and styling,” explains Caroline. “Contrast is key here — warm wood tones, rich velvets, metallic finishes, or bold-coloured furniture can really pop against a single-tone background. For example, a terracotta-painted room with brass light fittings or a neutral space with a mustard yellow sofa instantly feels elevated.”
If you're keeping the rest of the space quite minimal, try adding texture through your fabrics or surfaces to stop things from feeling too flat.
Add wallpaper for texture and tone
“Wallpaper can work beautifully in a colour-drenched scheme,” says Caroline. “The key is to stick with the same colour family as your paint. You’re not looking for contrast here — it’s about adding depth, texture, or a subtle sheen to make the space feel layered without breaking up the flow.”
“If your walls are painted in a matte finish, consider a metallic wallpaper with a soft shimmer, or opt for something with pattern and texture, like a tonal stripe or wood panel wallpaper. This creates a tactile backdrop that still feels cohesive with the rest of the room.”
You can use wallpaper all over for extra impact, keep it to a feature wall, or even try it on the ceiling if you want something a little more unexpected.
Try double drenching
Double drenching is a paint technique that uses two or more related colours from the same hue family across the surfaces in a room. It’s a more layered take on colour drenching that still feels cohesive, but adds a bit of contrast and depth.
Caroline says: “Double drenching works really well in larger rooms or open-plan spaces where you want to define different zones, or to add more visual interest. For example, you could use a deep olive green on the walls, a softer sage on the ceiling, and carry both tones through your upholstery and accessories.”
Go dark and bold (especially in small rooms)
Caroline says: “Dark colours are often thought of as risky in small spaces — but in reality, they can work wonders. Deep shades like navy, bottle green, or dark red can make small rooms feel dramatic and luxurious.”
“This works particularly well in spaces like downstairs toilets or box rooms, where you can afford to make a bold choice. Because you’re not in these spaces all the time, they’re the perfect place to experiment — and easier to repaint later if you change your mind!”
Think beyond the paint chart
“It’s tempting to pick a colour just because you love how it looks on the tester card,” explains Caroline. “But before you commit to painting every wall, ceiling and door in it, take a step back and think about the bigger picture — especially when you’re colour drenching.”
“You’re not just painting a room — you’re designing the backdrop for everything in it. The colour should tie the space together, not compete with what’s in it.”
Will your existing furniture work with the colour or clash with it? Are your curtains, rugs and flooring going to complement the tone or feel out of place?
A colour-drenched room works best when the elements within it feel intentional, so try taping swatches near your sofa, bedframe, or cabinets and see how they all interact.
The best rooms to colour drench in your home
You can colour drench pretty much anywhere, but some rooms really shine with this style of decorating. Here are a few of our favourite spots to try it:
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are made for colour drenching. Using the same shade across your walls, ceiling, woodwork — and even your wardrobes — creates a soft, cocooning feel that’s perfect for winding down.
Caroline recommends: “When colour-drenching the bedroom, it’s a good idea to go for muted tones like dusty rose, sage green, or warm neutrals. These kinds of shades help create a restful atmosphere that feels warm and inviting without being too stimulating.”
“And don’t be afraid to paint furniture in the same colour for a seamless, built-in look. You could also use wallpaper with a subtle texture or pattern in the same tone as your paint to add depth without disturbing the calm.”
Bathrooms and downstairs toilets
These smaller spaces are perfect for going bold. Deep shades can feel surprisingly cosy, especially when you extend the colour onto the ceiling and door.
You don’t have to stop at paint or wallpaper when colour drenching your bathroom,” says Caroline. “Try it with tiles too! Matching your wall tiles to your paint colour (or even your floor tiles, if you're feeling brave) keeps the look seamless but adds interest and texture.”
“Glossy or patterned tiles in a similar colour to your walls are perfect for creating a luxurious feel.”
Living rooms and snug spaces
In social spaces like living rooms, colour-drenching adds warmth and makes the whole room feel pulled together. It sets the tone and creates a backdrop that feels both stylish and welcoming.
Using one solid colour on the walls, ceiling, and woodwork is a great way to show off your furniture and accessories. It gives you a unified canvas, so your styling choices really stand out. Or, you can lean into a tonal look by choosing accessories and furnishings in similar shades.
Hallways and landings
“Hallways and landings are often-forgotten areas, but they’re brilliant for colour drenching,” explains Caroline. “A single shade across walls, doors, skirtings, and ceilings can actually make narrow corridors feel more open and well put together.”
“If you're worried about it feeling flat, break it up with patterned wallpaper in a similar tone, or add contrast with artwork and mirrors. If you’ve got lots of doors, painting them the same colour as the walls helps them fade into the background.”
To learn more about decorating your space, read our Inspiring Hallway Decorating Ideas Guide.
Home offices
Colour drenching can help make a workspace feel calm and focused. Exactly what you want in a home office!
It’s best to stick to colours that aren’t too energising or too sleepy — think soft blue-greys, muted greens or taupe. You can even paint storage units or shelves in the same colour to streamline the space.
Wallpaper can also work beautifully here: try a tone-on-tone pattern on one wall or behind shelving to add interest without distraction.
Frequently asked questions
Should I paint radiators the same colour as the walls?
“Yes — painting your radiator the same colour as your walls is one of my favourite colour-drenching tricks,” says Caroline. “It helps your radiator to blend in, rather than stand out, and is especially effective in smaller rooms where you want a seamless look.”
“Just make sure to use a specialist radiator paint or a metal primer and topcoat that can withstand heat — otherwise the finish won’t last.”
Should I colour drench the skirting boards?
“Definitely! Painting your skirting boards the same colour as your walls helps elongate the space,” says Caroline. “It removes visual breaks, so your eye doesn’t get ‘stuck’ on different colours. The same goes for door frames and cornices.”
Can I colour drench with wallpaper?
“Absolutely,” says Caroline. “Wallpaper can be a great way to add depth and texture to a colour-drenched scheme. Just make sure it’s in the same colour family as your paint.”
“For example, if your walls are painted in a soft sage, a geometric wallpaper with tonal greens or even a sage stripe can look stunning. It brings a new layer of detail to the room, but still feels cohesive.”
Shop wallpaper and paint at I Love Wallpaper
Want to give colour drenching a go yourself? At I Love Wallpaper, we’ve got a wide range of paints and wallpaper, from delicate florals and metallics to neutrals and minimalist designs.
For more inspiration and expert advice, take a look at our blog. Browse guides on everything from how to hang wallpaper to hallway wallpaper ideas. Or, if you have any questions or need guidance, contact us today — we’re always happy to help you create a space you love!
