What is colour drenching?
Colour drenching started as a catwalk fashion trend, but this all-one-colour aesthetic has taken the interior design world by storm - thanks to its versatility, adaptability, and easy-to-replicate elegance. A true colour drenched space is created by choosing a limited palette of colour tones that work in harmony with each other… and sticking to it! From your sofa to your skirting boards, coffee table to carpet - for this trend, everything should be a shade of the colour you have chosen.
That doesn’t mean you are limited on your design choices, though. From light pastels to deep jewel tones, this trend is designed to create aesthetic harmony across your space - and can even ensure that starkly different styles work together. Maximalists rejoice!
How to use colour drenching in interior design
Forget matching your shoes and handbag - this trend is all about matching the carpet to the drapes… so to speak! We love starting with a bold velvet sofa or bed, then building the other elements around it. Rugs, curtains and cushions are the obvious choices - but don’t be afraid to go a little off-piste. Colour drenched skirting boards, radiators and even ceilings only add to the look!
Choose classic, timeless colours
The most important choice you’ll make when designing a colour drenched space is the colour (or colours) you’ll be using. Choosing a timeless colour you love not only ensures you won’t tire of it, but offers you more choices when it comes to homewares. Classic tones like blue or red will always be on offer amongst furniture and homewares, so when it comes time to update or replace items, you’ll easily be able to find pieces to match your colour-drenched room.
Vary your shades and textures
There’s no point limiting yourself to a hyper-specific, trendy shade of mustard or rust… only to then find you can’t find anything that matches! When colour drenching a room, don’t obsess over getting every shade to colour match - give yourself the freedom to choose from a palette of different tones within your chosen colour, including light, medium and dark shades. This will allow you much more choice, and also offer a uniquely layered look, particularly when you start introducing different textures, prints and fabrics.
Take time to experiment
Not sure if colour drenching is quite your thing? Don’t worry - it can feel a bit full on. The good news is, there’s no need to colour drench the whole space in one go. Your colour journey might start with a favourite cushion or your brand new sofa, and building up the accessories over time is a great way to stay on budget while ensuring you’ll like the effect. Why not start with your sofa, cushions and throws - then if you like it, source a matching rug and some vases? If you’re committed to the colour drench look, then you can paint your walls in the same colour. If all that feels too flat, don’t worry - throw in some pops of a contrasting colour to break up the space. Have fun and play around!
Select tones that fit the function of your space
While colour drenching might feel like a bold choice at first, the all-one-colour look can actually be very calming, as everything works in harmony - creating a relaxing environment. It also works with both classic and modern shapes, in fact stopping contrasting styles from looking jarring, and blends aesthetics beautifully. Colour drenching works wonderfully in spaces where you’d like to create a calming effect, from bedrooms and living spaces to entrance hallways. You can also make rooms feel larger or smaller depending on the tones you select; opt for all mid to light tones for a more spacious, airy feel, or select darker tones for a more cosy, intimate vibe.
Get inspired with our colour drenching ideas
