My favourite colours for colour drenching

If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or flicking through interior design magazines, you’ve probably stumbled upon the latest craze in home decor: colour drenching. It’s all about wrapping your entire room - walls, ceilings, trim, and sometimes even furniture - in a single, rich shade. But how does this technique really affect the feel of your space? And more importantly, what colours should you be looking at if you’re keen to give it a go? Let’s break it down!

Where can colour drenching be applied?

Living rooms and bedrooms are perfect for colour drenching, as deep, unified tones can create a cosy, welcoming vibe. In dining rooms, bold colours bring a touch of sophistication, making every meal feel special. For a home office, a carefully chosen hue can foster focus and style, while hallways and corridors are great places to play with daring shades for a striking first impression.

Smaller spaces like bathrooms and guest rooms also benefit, as the right colour can make them feel bigger or more luxurious. Even kitchens, though not as common, can achieve a sleek, modern look with a monochromatic scheme. The trick? Stick with one colour across everything – from walls and ceilings to woodwork – for a bold, cohesive finish that transforms any space.

The Impact of Colour Drenching on Different Rooms

Small Rooms with Light Colours:

Light colours are a go-to for small spaces, and when you apply them in a colour-drenched way, the effect can be truly magical. Using a soft, light shade across all surfaces in a compact room blurs the edges of the space, making it feel larger and airier. This technique works because there’s no stark contrast to define the room’s boundaries, so your eye just glides around, giving the illusion of more space.

Big Rooms with Light Colours:

For larger spaces, light colours can keep things feeling open and fresh. When you drench a big room in a light shade, you maintain that airy vibe, but the room doesn’t lose its grandeur. It’s perfect for spaces where you want a serene, calming atmosphere that still feels welcoming and expansive.

 Whites & Neutrals I'd recommend:

• Au Lait - Farrow & Ball: A warm, creamy beige that adds a soft, inviting atmosphere to any room, perfect for neutral yet cosy spaces.
• Flat White - DCO: A crisp, clean white with a matte finish, ideal for creating a modern, minimalist look or a fresh backdrop.
• Slaked Lime - Little Greene: A light, subtle grey with warm undertones, offering a calm and sophisticated feel, perfect for airy, relaxed spaces.
• Ash White - Dulux Heritage: A soft, pale off-white with grey undertones, great for creating a timeless and elegant space with a subtle warmth.
• Isabeline - Craig & Rose: A soft, muted off-white with a hint of warmth, perfect for a gentle, neutral backdrop that enhances light.
• Skimming Stone - Farrow & Ball: A warm, light grey with taupe undertones, ideal for spaces needing a soft, neutral hue that feels effortless and chic.
• Raw Cashmere - Dulux Heritage: A warm, beige-inspired neutral with a luxurious, soft feel, adding an understated elegance to interiors.
• Naked Beige - DCO: A natural, earthy beige that creates a warm, grounded atmosphere, ideal for creating a serene, relaxed space.

Small Rooms with Dark Colours:

Now, you might think drenching a small room in a dark colour would make it feel cramped, but it can actually have the opposite effect. Dark colours in a small space can create a cocoon-like atmosphere, making the room feel cosy and intimate. The key is to embrace the moodiness, letting the rich colour wrap around you and make the space feel like a snug retreat. Like with lighter colours, using a darker shade on all walls helps to blur the lines within the room therefore helping to give the appearance of a larger space. 

Big Rooms with Dark Colours:

Drenching a large room in a dark shade can be incredibly striking. It adds drama and sophistication, turning an expansive space into something bold and captivating. Dark colours in big rooms can also make the area feel more grounded and inviting, perfect for a living room or a bedroom where you want to create a luxurious, enveloping atmosphere.

Deep Neutrals & Colours I'd recommend:

• Shadow Taupe - DCO: A rich taupe with deep, warm undertones, perfect for adding depth and sophistication to living areas or bedrooms.
• Kashmir Beige - Craig & Rose: A soft, neutral beige with a hint of warmth, perfect for creating a calm and inviting atmosphere in any room.
• Silt - Little Greene: A muted, earthy grey with subtle brown undertones, adding depth and warmth, great for rustic or industrial-inspired spaces.
• Roasted Macadamia - Farrow & Ball: A rich, warm beige with nutty tones, perfect for cosy, inviting spaces that need a touch of warmth and comfort.
• Pullman Green - Craig & Rose: A deep, rich green with classic appeal, perfect for adding a sophisticated, vintage touch to a space.
• All the Sage - DCO: A soft, muted sage green, ideal for creating a calming, nature-inspired space that feels fresh and tranquil.
• De Nimes - Farrow & Ball: A rich, deep blue inspired by classic workwear, perfect for adding a sophisticated yet relaxed feel to living rooms or kitchens.
• Livid - Little Greene: A deep, moody blue with a grey undertone, offering a bold, dramatic statement for rooms with character.
• Hague Blue - Farrow & Ball: A rich, dark navy with green undertones, perfect for creating a dramatic and intimate space full of depth and elegance.
• Ganache - Little Greene: A warm, chocolatey brown that adds richness and warmth, ideal for creating a cosy, sophisticated atmosphere.

Adding a Splash of Colour: Bold and Vibrant Recommendations

While neutrals and dark shades are often the first choices for colour drenching, don’t shy away from injecting some bold hues into your space. If you’re looking to make a vibrant statement, here are some colourful options that can elevate your room’s energy and style:

Bright and Bold Colours I'd recommend:

• Yellow Pink - Little Greene: A unique coral shade that combines the cheerfulness of yellow with the sophistication of pink, perfect for a playful yet refined room.
• Red Earth - Farrow & Ball: A warm, earthy red with terracotta tones, bringing warmth and richness to any space, ideal for rustic or Mediterranean-inspired interiors.
• Scorched - DCO: A deep, burnt orange with earthy undertones, perfect for adding warmth and a dramatic flair to bold spaces.
• Russet - Craig & Rose: A warm, rich reddish-brown with an earthy tone, perfect for creating a cosy, autumnal vibe in any room.
• Light Bronze Green - Little Greene: A muted green with a subtle bronze undertone, perfect for adding an elegant, earthy feel to both modern and traditional spaces.

Soothing and Subtle Colours I'd recommend:

• Aquamarine - Little Greene: A soft, serene blue-green that evokes a sense of calm, ideal for a bedroom or bathroom.
• Calamine - Farrow & Ball: A delicate pink that’s both gentle and uplifting, perfect for adding a touch of warmth to a space without overwhelming it.

Colour drenching is more than just a trend; it’s a transformative technique that can completely change the feel of your space. Whether you’re looking to make a small room feel bigger, a big room feel cosier, or simply add some drama to your decor, there’s a colour and a method for you.

So, why not take the plunge? With the right shade, you can create a room that’s not just painted, but fully drenched in the atmosphere you’re dreaming of. Whether you’re going light and airy or dark and dramatic, remember - it’s all about embracing the power of colour to transform your space into something truly special. 

If you want to learn more about the history of Colour Drenching, I've posted a blog here on what it is and where it came from. I also have you covered when it comes to how to colour drench and the top products I would recommend for colour drenching. Just have a read of my blogs on those topics. 

@farrowandball | Setting Plaster No. 231 | @kirstieandcharlotte 

Hopefully, this deep dive into colour drenching has given you a bit of inspiration, but remember, we’re always here to help with any questions or support you need to create your dream room! Don’t forget about our paint colour finder quiz if you need a little extra guidance on the best colour for your space. And if you’d rather chat things through, we’re just a click or call away - whether it’s via live chat, phone (01388 608144), email, or even WhatsApp. Let’s work together to make your home the perfect space!

Helen x