When you want to update your space with a dramatic and connected look, few trends hit the mark like color drenching. This versatile method is easy to personalize. Homeowners can create bold looks that exude a moody atmosphere or incorporate lighter colors for a breezy feeling. This trend allows you to show off unique architectural elements or modernize your home with a cohesive look. The possibilities are as endless as your vision.
What Is Color Drenching?
Color drenching is a design technique in which every surface in a room uses the same shade to create a cohesive and immersive look. The single, dominant color envelops the space, encompassing doors, trims, ceilings and walls. In some cases, furniture and layering accessories mirror the hue, creating a harmonious monochromatic scheme.
Contrary to popular belief, color drenching is not a new trend. Early 20th-century modernism embraced monochromatic styles, and avant-garde artists used the technique to create spatial effects and evoke emotion. Many European homeowners have also employed this approach for years, using a single color to create elegant spaces in period homes.
Recently, a new spin called double color drenching has emerged. This trend involves using two bold colors, often with the same hue but different undertones, to highlight various parts of a space. For example, dark and light blue in the same room can create a captivating contrast.
The Benefits of Home Color Drenching
Whether using one color or two, many homeowners enjoy the advantages of the color-drenching technique.
-
Creating depth and dimension: Using the same color across various surfaces draws out the subtle differences in light and texture. This effect creates visual interest without contrasting colors. The way light hits various features and planes also adds depth by creating natural shadows and highlights. Layering finishes, such as gloss and matte, can further enhance dimension and tactile richness.
-
Expanding a space: When trim, ceilings and walls use the same color, the eye doesn't stop at edges or corners, making a room feel boundless. Additionally, using the same color on the ceiling and walls can make the ceiling look higher.
-
Altering the ambience: Every color can set a unique emotional tone. Blues and greens feel calming, while pastels and soft neutrals are tranquil and airy. Color drenching is a powerful way to express your personality and create unique atmospheres while maintaining intensity control.
-
Showcasing architecture: Homeowners can use color drenching to highlight unique architectural features. Painting archways or moldings the same color as the walls allows those elements' shadows and shapes to draw the eye. This technique can also modernize traditional details and unify disparate elements for a cohesive, intentional feeling.
-
Masking imperfections: Homeowners can make a space feel more refined by hiding dated trim, uneven surfaces and architectural quirks behind a single color. This strategy is especially impactful for older homes, where mismatched materials or patchwork repairs can otherwise be distracting. As a bonus, using the same color on every surface simplifies maintenance, allowing homeowners to maintain a beautiful look for years.
Where to Use Color Drenching for Interior Design
This approach's effectiveness depends on your room choice and ability to incorporate existing structural elements and decor. While every home offers unique opportunities for color drenching, some spaces tend to benefit more.
-
Powder rooms and bathrooms: Bathrooms and powder rooms are excellent experimental spaces. They are often smaller, and if you choose an intense shade, you won't have to worry about it dominating the rest of your home. Popular hues for bathrooms include deep greens or matte black for a dramatic look, soft peach or powder blue for a light and airy feeling and organic colors like warm taupe for a boho or rustic vibe.
-
Bedrooms: Your bedroom is the most personal place in your home, so why not showcase your style in the room where you start and end each day? Minimalist decorators can especially benefit from bedroom color drenching. Soft neutrals like muted peach or warm beige are excellent for creating a restful retreat. Blues and earthy greens promote relaxation, and chocolates and deep reds can create an enveloping, cozy feeling.
-
Pass-through spaces: Don't forget walkways, entryways and hallways, where adding dramatic color can make an eye-catching statement. These spaces are often the best opportunities for going bold because most people don't spend much time in them. Choose emerald green or midnight blue for a deep look or integrate butter yellow or lavender for a color burst.
-
Living spaces: Living spaces that handle a lot of traffic can benefit from color drenching to unify the bustling movements. Warm neutrals can make a space look sophisticated and cozy, while dramatic, dark colors offer a stunning visual. Or, use muted pastels for an open, airy feeling.
How to Use Color Drenching in Your Home
If it's your first time color-drenching, it may be best to start with a small or contained space where you can more easily control the effect. When you're ready to pick up the paintbrush, follow these steps for a successful project.
-
Choose a color and room: Determine where you want to color-drench and the shade that will bring your vision to life. Look for hues that promote your desired effect or mood. Test paint samples on various surfaces at different times of day to determine how they will look across the room.
-
Select your color-drenching paint: Experiment with various paint finishes. Eggshell and matte are generally best for walls, while matte or flat is ideal for minimizing ceiling imperfections. Choose satin or semi-gloss for your doors and trim to create a subtle contrast.
-
Gather materials: Purchase or gather all the necessary materials. While the specific material needs range by home and desired look, most projects require a combination of paint, rollers, brushes, painter's tape, drop cloths, ladders and cleaning supplies.
-
Prep and prime: Prep your space by removing all furniture and decor. Fill cracks or holes and clean every surface. Cover areas you don't want to paint with tape or drop cloths. Apply primer if necessary and allow it to dry before painting.
-
Paint downward: Start with your ceiling and move downward. This strategy prevents paint from dripping on finished surfaces. Walls should be next, with doors, trims and built-ins completing the painting process. Use rollers for larger areas and brushes for edges and detail work.
-
Clean and enjoy: Inspect for paint drips or missed spots. Touch up spaces as needed, and allow the room to dry before removing your tape or cloths. Clean the room and return all furniture and decor. Enjoy your beautiful space!
Get Supplies for Your Color-Drenched Room at Aboff's Paints
Aboff's Paints is a family-owned and operated business with 32 locations across Long Island. Here, you'll find the interior paints, primers and stains to turn your color dream into reality. As the largest Benjamin Moore paint dealer on Long Island, we can help you apply the newest color trends and create stunning, lasting results you'll love. Start color drenching with us by visiting your nearest store.
