Color drenching is one of my favorite interior design techniques! While the term has gained significant popularity in recent years, the concept has been around for ages—think grand European estates and cozy, charming homes! It’s no secret that it’s trending at the moment, but trust me when I say it’s a timeless approach when done correctly.
If you’re looking for color drenching ideas, you’re in the right place! Below, I’m sharing some beautiful homes that have embraced color drenching, categorized by room, so you can see how this paint trend transforms any space.
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What is Color Drenching?
Color drenching is using one single color throughout the entire room—walls, ceiling, trim, and sometimes even furniture and decor! This creates a fully immersive look that can be moody, playful, or elegantly understated, depending on your chosen hue. You’ll see examples of various shades throughout this post, from vibrant greens to muted blues and everything in between 🙂
Bedroom
A color drenched bedroom can create a cozy atmosphere that feels like a retreat! It’s the perfect place to try this technique, choosing a color that’s personal to you.
Primary Bedroom
We painted our primary bedroom a rich burgundy color and it felt like a completely different space. It somehow created a more intimate, romantic feel, while also making the space feel much larger! We’ve since moved, but this was easily my favorite bedroom to date. I’m planning to color drench our current bedroom as well 🙂
Color: Benjamin Moore New London Burgundy
Details on this modern vintage bedroom!
Guest Bedroom
Last December I had the honor of visiting the HGTV Dream Home 2025! Designer Brian Patrick Flynn stated that he’s a big fan of color drenching and even used it in a few spaces throughout this home.
This spare bedroom was one of the spaces that stood out most to me! Blues just make for a very inviting, calm space in a bedroom. Also, color drenching is especially interesting in a room with vaulted ceilings like this! I honestly can’t picture it any other way. This gorgeous shade of blue is Delft (HGSW9134), which is part of HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams 2025 Color Collection.
Girl’s Bedroom
I just adore this girl’s bedroom by Kate Piece Vintage. She went all out with the color drench—even painting the radiator too! A great way to add visual interest in a color-drenched room, especially with bold colors, is by layering patterns. Kate did such a perfect job of that in this space!
Color: Backdrop Aperitivo Hour
More views of this girl’s bedroom!
Boy’s Bedroom
If you’re looking for vintage boys bedroom ideas, this room by Jeanne at littlejoymarket is just darling. The muted green paint color in combination with the green velvet bed creates a beautiful contrast. Added details like the picture moulding and the vintage wooden desk make this room feel both sophisticated and cozy!
Color: Farrow & Ball Pigeon
Bathroom
If you’re intimidated by the idea of color drenching, small spaces are a great place to start! It’s less of a commitment and less you’ll have to re-paint if you have regrets… but my guess is you won’t 😉
Moody Powder Room
This powder room was actually my very first color-drenched space 🙂 To my surprise, painting this small room black added depth and made it feel larger! My style has changed a lot since this bathroom makeover, but i’ll always appreciate the rich drama it added to our home… it was definitely a favorite amongst our guests!
Color: Behr Limousine Leather
More details on our black powder room!
Moody Vintage Bathroom
This bathroom by Katie at Florence Revival is an absolute dream. She and her husband took this nearly 100-year-old space down to the studs and brought it back to life in the most stunning way.
The color-drenched deep green is just perfectly executed!! It creates a rich, moody feel that’s beautifully balanced by warm brass accents and soft, layered textures. The marble tile and countertops add just the right amount of contrast, keeping the space timeless yet dramatic. Every single detail is so thoughtfully curated—it’s a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern sophistication!
Color: Benjamin Moore Devonshire Green
See the before + afters of this dreamy bathroom
Living Room
Would you ever try a color-drenched living room? I know I would—living rooms are meant to feel cozy and inviting!
Here’s another stunning space by one of my favorite interior designers—Kate Pierce Vintage. Is this not the coolest, curviest living room ever?! I’m obsessed! And this space was meant to be drenched in color!
Kate puts it perfectly: “Color drenching allows the walls and ceiling to truly be a backdrop (without being boring!) for those really special pieces.” I couldn’t agree more. Every detail in this room, including the fun accent colors, pop beautifully against that rich, moody green!
Color: Clare Current Mood
More details on this living room!
Home Office
My home office was the second space I ever color drenched! When I designed this office I was a little overzealous with the design details. Between the fluted wall, the built-ins, the wallpapered ceiling, and the picture moulding…there was a lot going on!
The solution? Color drenching, of course! Painting this entire space one color immediately created a more cohesive feel. It also had a cocoon-like effect that had me feeling focused and inspired!
Color: Farrow & Ball London Clay
More details on this home office!
Kitchen
If you’re really adventurous, you may even consider color drenching your kitchen like my friend Renee Renovates.
Technically this kitchen isn’t a full color drench since the ceiling isn’t painted, but I personally consider it to fit this category since the color is drenched everywhere else. It’s bold, brave, and absolutely stunning. Did I mention Renee completely DIYed this kitchen by herself? I mean, she even made the cabinets. It’s truly a work of art and she deserves all the love and recognition.
One thing I love about this color drench is the play on textures—she used roman clay on the walls, paint on the cabinets, and she even incorporated the color through the marble island and range backsplash… chef’s kiss!
Color: Portola Paints Meritage (Roman Clay)
Renee’s tips for designing your own high end kitchen!
Dining Room
If you have a dedicated dining room space, color drenching is the perfect way to elevate it!
Vanessa at @thegratzlife completely transformed the dining room in her 1926 historic Tudor, and I couldn’t love it more. I can almost guarantee this space has seen some unforgettable dinner parties! Color drenching instantly makes a dining room feel more intimate and elegant.
Notice how the green velvet drapes seamlessly blend into the walls, enhancing the monochromatic effect? I also love how she created depth and character with the chunky, ornate crown molding and oversized gilded frames. The mix of classic architecture with modern elements adds the perfect bit of contrast.
Color: Sherwin Williams Rosemary
Entryway
Nothing sets the mood for the rest of the home like a color-drenched entryway!
This entryway by Jenasie @msviscousdesign is the perfect example of how color drenching can create a bold and dramatic statement. I mean, I know if I walked into this home… i’d be so anxious to see more!
What makes this color drench so striking is how the rich red backdrop make the ornate gold frames really pop. The black stair railing and front door really ground the space, offering a contrast that feels very intentional and elevated. Jenasie is truly the Queen of thrifting and creating an incredibly curated, eclectic home. Her unique vintage finds tell a story and provide beautiful texture and contrast.
Color: Tonester Paints Americana
More details on this color drenched entryway!
Bonus Rooms
Bonus rooms—like laundry rooms or parlors—are often tucked away from open-concept spaces, making them the perfect place to go bold with color drenching! Stand alone rooms like this allow you the freedom to add personality without worrying too much about how the color flows into other rooms.
Parlor
Speaking of personality… the Renovation Husband’s parlor always leaves me speechless. This is a truly stunning example of how color drenching can create a rich atmosphere. I just love how the green wraps around the curvy walls, the ceiling, and the window frames. It’s playful, yet sophisticated.
A variety of textures make this space extra special! The brown leather sofa, mustard velvet chair, and vintage rug add layers of warmth, while the glass coffee table and crystal chandelier bring in lightness and elegance, preventing the space from feeling too heavy.
Color: Benjamin Moore Colonial Verdigris
More details on this Victorian parlor!
The below parlor, by MrsJessicaDarling, was originally an unused dining space! Jessica knew this room had more potential and could be much more functional for her and her family. Now it’s a space they used to read, play chess, and sit and chat. How COZY is that?!
I’m absolutely in love with the color she chose. It’s a muted, neutral green that could work well in just about any space. The architectural details and elements are the perfect mix of modern and traditional.
Color: Farrow & Ball French Gray
Laundry Room
I’m not sure if I love MrsJessicaDarling‘s parlor or laundry room more? How can I even choose?! Like all of her designs, they’re both incredibly intentional with no detail left untouched.
This laundry room would actually have me excited to fold clothes. The blue is just so fun and love how the tongue and groove boards, on both the walls and the ceiling, add some additional depth and interest. Checkered floor tiles, brass details, and warm wood finishes make this space visually dynamic. The overall look is elevated and inviting!
Color: Sherwin Williams Poolhouse
More views of this laundry room!
This laundry room/mudroom by Erin at Hamilton Park Home is a beautifully understated take on colour drenching. It’s proof that neutral shades can also be successful when using this technique. The beige wraps around the cabinetry, walls, and ceiling, giving the room a seamless look.
Warmth and depth is added to this space by the wood beam, brass details, and cabinet curtains. The backsplash, countertops, and floors provide just the right amount of contrast to ground the space. Lastly, the vintage rug ties it all together, adding more warmth and character. This is color drenching done in a soft, organic way and I couldn’t love it more!
Color: Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige
More details on this laundry room!
She Shed
I never knew I wanted a she shed until I saw this beauty by Erika from peonyandhoney. The muted blue monochromatic palette creates a cocooning effect, making the space feel both intimate and expansive at the same time.
There’s no shortage of charm in this she shed, from the lattice blacksplash to the cabinet curtains and the soft light fixtures. And I love how the floral rug brings in some extra color and pattern! This isn’t just a shed turned into a functional workspace—it’s a sanctuary.
Color: Farrow & Ball Kittiwake
Music Room
This music room by Xin at athomewithxin is a very serene and sophisticated take on color drenching. The deep blue green creates the perfect monochromatic backdrop, allowing the rich wood tones of the piano and furniture to really stand out!
One of my favorite details in this music room is the textured glass detail, which is actually a window film!! How cool is that?! This is yet another great example of how color drenching doesn’t have to be extreme to make an impact—here, it creates a soft, calming atmoshpere!
Color: Farrow & Ball De Nimes
More views of this music room!
Breakfast Nook
Talk about a moody, cozy breakfast nook by Jenni at ispydiy! The deep reddish-brown makes for an intimate and inviting atmosphere, with the painted wood paneling adding extra texture and depth.
While most color drenched spaces use a single hue, Jenni added some contrast by choosing a muted blue for the banquette bench. This unexpected combination adds so much character while still achieving a cohesive look! I also love all the layered textiles— these really soften the space, while the black table and vintage-inspired pendants bring in a timeless elegance. This cute little breakfast nook space feels effortlessly cozy!
Color: Behr Dark Cherry Mocha
Check out Jenni’s five banquette designs!
Sunroom
Our sunroom is the most recent space i’ve color drenched, and definitely the most subtle of them all. I used a mid-tone, brown based neutral, that I highly recommend by the way!!! It’s gorgeous. I was going for more of an earthy palette in this space.
To keep things interesting, I played around with the textures; linen and bamboo window treatments, a green velvet sofa, a marble and wood coffee table, and a vintage rug. All of these elements create a nice contrast and allow the color to fade into the background! Our sunroom now feels so cozy and inviting!!
Color: Farrow & Ball Jitney
Color Drenching FAQ
What colors are best for color drenching?
This really depends on the mood you’re hoping to create! After reading through all of these color drenching ideas, i’m sure you noticed that almost every color family was represented. Whether you want to try a vibrant paint colour for an energizing space, or perhaps darker hues for a moody vibe, there’s always a way to make it work! My only rule would be that white doesn’t count!! 😉
One thing I did notice when researching color drenched interiors is that I tended to see a lot of different shades of greens, blues, and reds!
What sheen is best for color drenching?
When using one singular color in a room, it’s best to use more than one paint sheen. In most cases, this is what I prefer to use:
- Eggshell on the walls
- Flat or matte on the ceiling (flat paint is always recommended for ceilings!)
- Satin for trim, doors, and built-ins (you could also use semi-gloss if you prefer a shinier look)
To learn more about the different paint sheens, check out this blog post!
Does color drenching make a room look bigger or smaller?
Color drenching actually has the power to make a room feel bigger or smaller, depending on how you use it! Darker shades absorb light which can create a more intimate, cozy feel especially in smaller spaces. Lighter hues, on the other hand, reflect more light and can make a room feel open and airy.
In my personal experience, every room i’ve color drenched makes it feel larger. Even when I used a darker hue! For example, in our burgundy bedroom, I built a coffered ceiling which immediately draws your eyes up and visually expands the space.
When the entire space is painted one color, it’s hard to tell where the walls end the ceiling begins, tricking your eyes into believing the space is larger.
What to do with outlets for color drenching?
For a successful color drenching experience, I recommend getting paintable outlet covers for a seamless look! You can see in the photo below I used one beneath the mirror. You could also get a more decorative outlet cover, like this! Whatever you do, I don’t recommend keeping your basic white covers because those will stick out like a sore thumb and throw off the whole vibe!
When I color drench a space, I also paint vent covers! This makes a huge difference. How? I take it down, clean it thoroughly using some kind of tsp cleaner, prime it with this spray primer, and just paint a couple coats with a regular paint brush. You can of course use a paint sprayer as well!
In our bedroom, I even went as far as painting the rim of the recessed lights too! Little details like this are so important when you’re color drenching a room.
Well, I hope you got a least a few color drenching ideas for your own home because this new trend is here to stay!! There’s definitely been a resurgence of color in interior design and I’m so here for it!
So, which room of your home is getting a fresh coat of paint first?!
Elisha
