Colour drenching

Colour drenching is the process of choosing one colour and painting it across multiple surfaces in one space. The beauty of colour drenching is that it can be applied to such a variety of different spaces. Whilst you can’t make a small room larger, you can embrace the size of the space to create something that feels really engaging, inviting and contemporary.

You don’t have to go crazy with colour drenching to create a dramatic effect. Even painting a couple of surfaces in the same colour can make a real impact.

Colour drenching doesn’t have to be done with dark colours – you can go for pastels or bright, funky colours too.

To get started with colour drenching, first, choose your main colour (or groups of colours). Then decide how far you want to go with colour drenching. A relatively failsafe way to start is by painting radiators, picture rails or interior woodwork the same colour as the walls. That might be enough to get the desired effect that you’re after. An alternative way to start is by matching the walls to the colour of your sofa or other large pieces of furniture in your room.  

Think about the fifth wall – the ceiling. Is your room suitable to have the ceiling painted in the same colour or tonal shades of that colour? You’ll need to consider lighting and the impact that colour drenching might have on your space. 

Then there are furnishings to think about, like curtains, cushions, lamps and rugs. These can be used to break up blocks of colour – but make sure they have some tones of your chosen colour in them (i.e. in the pattern) to tie them into your scheme. Another good tip is to use metallics and natural textures. They’ll add interest but won’t interfere with the overall effect. 

If you would like any help with your next interior renovation project, please have a look at my services page, alternatively, please complete the online interior design brief.