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Color Drenching Will Make Any Space Luxurious (And It’s Easy!)

    Color drenching is the hot new trend that has roots in classic Victorian style. If you love a particular color, why not put it everywhere?

    Background of F&B De Nimes in a music room with text over top that reads "Color Drenching - 20+ paint colors to use"
    Photo by: @athomewithxin

    Today we will see several color drenched spaces in real life, look at a couple variations on the trend, and see a host of amazing colors to use in your home!

    What is Color Drenching?

    The idea behind color drenching is typically to use a single color on the walls, trim, and ceilings.

    Valspar Du Jour on walls trim and ceilings in a modern Victorian living room
    Photo credit: @littlelattihouse

    You could use the same color in different sheens, or keep it all exactly the same. Sometimes a room is drenched in two colors that are only slightly different. (Think monochromatic.)

    An arched doorway leading into a black forest green living room
    Photo Credit: @archetypedesigns

    When it comes to color drenching, the moodier the better! Most color-drenched rooms are painted in medium to dark colors that look very rich, but the look can successfully be done in any shade you like!

    Pin reads "color drenching" 20+ colors to use
    Background photo: @mldesignskc

    Finally, color drenching is usually done in small to medium spaces that are contained or separated from the rest of the home in some way. This isn’t really the right look for an open concept main floor, for example.

    The best part? : You don’t even have to be careful when you’re painting!

    Color Drenched Living Spaces

    If we can crown a queen of color drenching, it would surely be Maria Friström of @marialovesrealestate.

    Maria from Maria loves real estate, relaxes in a chair in a room color drenched in Benjamin Moore Silhouette, a very dark chocolate brown with Gray undertones.
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @photosbyarianne.portrait

    A scroll through her instagram will have you dreaming of all the spaces that you can soak in sumptuous colors.

    Benjamin Moore Silhouette

    This first space is doused in Benjamin Moore Silhouette, of which Benjamin Moore says:

    Well what do you know, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here! This color is deep and moody, but still neutral.

    Swatch of Benjamin Moore Silhouette over a photo of a room color drenched in the deep brown.
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @photosbyarianne.portrait

    Jotun Daydream & Tikkurila Maiden

    In a living room, Maria used another unexpected color scheme:

    Living room color drenched in an Auburn brown color
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @nikistrbian 

    Maybe you’re smarter than me, but I had to really look to see how this was two different colors at first!

    Back wall in Tikkurila Maiden and side wall in Jotur Daydream
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @nikistrbian 

    Maria used the shade “Daydream” from Norwegian paint brand Jotun for the darker color, and “Maiden” from Finnish paint company Tikkurila for the lighter color:

    Tikkurila Maiden and Jotur Daydream color drenching an office corner in Auburn hues.
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @nikistrbian 

    Jotun describes Daydream as:

    I would argue that it’s quite brown.

    To get this look in your home, try Sherwin Williams Dutch Cocoa, Sherwin Williams Velvety Chestnut, or Benjamin Moore Wood Grain Brown for your darker shade.

    An office in a living room color drenched in Auburn colors. Swatches over top of lighter colors Abalone Shell, and meadow pink, and darker colors Dutch Cocoa, Velvety Chestnut, and wood grain brown.
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @nikistrbian

    Tikkurila says of their color Maiden:

    “Dried roses recall memories of past parties. A pink with a brown undertone. This timeless dusty rose tone makes your home feel calm.”Tikkurila

    For this lighter shade, try Sherwin Williams Abalone Shell or Benjamin Moore Meadow Pink.

    Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

    In this next room, @mldesignskc drenched a beautiful home office in the timeless blue of Benjamin Moore Hale Navy.

    Hale Navy drenching a beautiful home office library with masculine leather chairs and retro light fixture.
    Photo credit: @mldesignskc
    Swatch of Benjamin Moore Hale Navy over a color drenched office in the same color.
    Photo credit: @mldesignskc

    This is one of those colors that truly goes with everything! If you want to color drench a room but you are worried about the adjacent wall colors, Hale Navy might be perfect!

    Hale Navy color drenching an office adjacent to a room with black walls and white trim.
    Photo credit: @mldesignskc

    Sherwin Williams Cascades

    In another design by the team at ML Designs, we see the decadent teal of Sherwin Williams Cascades:

    Cascades on walls, ceilings, and trim in a reading room office library
    Photo Credit: @mldesignskc

    This color drenches the room in a cascade of deep teal. (See what I did there?)

    Here is one more picture, but please note the undertone is not usually so emerald:

    Cascades on walls, ceilings, and trim in a reading room office library
    Photo Credit: @mldesignskc

    Cascades is actually as dark as some black colors, but it rarely (if ever) looks close to black because it is so saturated.

    Swatch of Cascades over a set of bookcases drenched in that color.
    Photo credit: @Mldesignskc

    If you love teal, you will love my post: 9 Tantalizing Teal Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

    Farrow & Ball De Nimes

    The first time I ever bumped into Xin (@athomewithxin), she was actually color drenching a bedroom. (I’ll show you that one in just a minute!) She is no stranger to color, and uses many moody hues throughout her Pinterest worthy home.

    Swatch of Farrow & Ball De Nimes over a photo of the same color in a music room.
    Photo credit: @athomewithxin

    The unusual blue of her music room might take the cake as her best color choice. At the very least, the chef do be kissing!

    Farrow & Ball De Nimes color drenching a music room
    Photo Credit: @athomewithxin

    Of De Nimes, Farrow & Ball say:

    Farrow & Ball De Nimes drenching a room with a wooden piano in the middle.
    Photo Credit: @athomewithxin

    This color ranges in appearance from a warm-leaning dusty blue, to a medium gray blue with a slight green undertone.

    Farrow & Ball De Nimes drenching a beautiful music room with a wall of built ins.
    Photo Credit: @athomewithxin

    Get this look from Sherwin Williams with the shade Delft, or try Benjamin Moore Montpelier.

    Farrow & Ball De Nimes in a music room, with swatches over top of similar colors Benjamin Moore montpelier and Sherwin Williams Delft.
    Photo by: @athomewithxin

    Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green

    Black is a bold choice for color drenching, but bold we are! Here is a beautiful sitting room in Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green.

    Two white chairs in the black forest green living room of a custom home
    Photo Credit: @archetypedesigns

    This color looks very inky and black in this room, but it does have a subtle teal undertone.

    Swatch of Black Forest Green over a wall of cabinets in the same color with black tile.
    Photo Credit: @bespokeredesign
    Black forest green arched doorway into a white hallway with a staircase
    Photo Credit: @archetypedesigns
    Black Forest Green in a cozy library with a christmas tree and two white lounge chairs
    Photo Credit: @archetypedesigns

    Sherwin Williams Greenblack

    Not to be outdone by a green that is nearly black, Sherwin Williams has their own drenchable shade called the obvious: Greenblack.

    A greenblack office with greenblack on all walls and ceiling. Dark and moody with rustic furnishings and wood french doors
    Photo credit: @thenottinghome

    Allie of @thenottinghome, used Greenblack to drench the walls in their den, arguably well before this trend had truly started.

    The undertone of Greenblack is more forest than teal, so that differentiates it from Black Forest Green.

    Greenblack looking like a dark green and not as black on an office wall
    Photo credit: @thenottinghome

    Greenblack is a beautiful shade because it’s like a black, but a little softer and more dimensional.

    Sherwin Wlliams Greenblack swatched over a photo of a color drenched den in Greenblack with cozy woodsy decor.
    Photo Credit: @thenottinghome
    Sherwin Williams Greenblack on office built ins
    Photo credit: @thenottinghome

    Benjamin Moore Army Green

    Green is super popular for color drenching! I’m not sure if it’s because green just happens to be trending at the same time as drenching, but no matter the reason: I am here for it!

    Swatch of Benjamin Moore Army Green over a background of the same color drenching a living room with large arched windows.
    Photo Credit: @true_colors_painting

    The team at @true_colors_painting refinished this character home with a wash of Benjamin Moore Army Green.

    Benjamin Moore Army Green color drenches a living room with two large arched windows and warm wood floors.
    Photo Credit: @true_colors_painting

    This olive-leaning hue is quite specific, but it certainly makes a statement!

    Benjamin Moore Army Green looking warm and olivey in a living room on the walls, trim, and ceilings.
    Photo Credit: @true_colors_painting

    If you like this shade, you might also like the slightly cooler Sherwin Williams Ripe Olive.

    Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze

    Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze is one of those colors that is unique, and totally classic looking at the same time. This medium sage green is a perfect choice for a bath of color.

    Swatch of Acacia Haze over a photo of the same color drenching Beadboard and trim.
    Photo Credit: @silo.hill

    The team at @verygoodpaintingllc drenched this delightful little mudroom, including the brick wall:

    A mud room with cabinets on the back wall and one brick side wall, all drenched in Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze.
    Photo Credit: @verygoodpaintingllc

    I’ll be honest, I wasn’t able to verify that this was Acacia Haze before I finished this post, and I went back and forth on whether it was Acacia Haze, Retreat, or Pewter Green. (They are all on the same color strip.)

    Sherwin Williams Retreat color strip runs from Spare White, through Sea Salt, Comfort Gray, Oyster Bay, Acacia Haze, Retreat, Pewter Green, and Ripe Olive, over a background photo of a cabin on Emerald Lake.

    …but any of these colors would be beautiful for drenching your room!

    Magnolia Home Summer Hay

    One of the classiest homes I’ve come across on Instagram, is that of Michelle and her @littlelattihouse.

    Magnolia Summer Hay drenching walls, trim, door, and ceiling in a bedroom.
    Photo credit: @littllattihouse

    Her whole home gives the vibe of “new Victorian.” She uses really simple cohesive colors, and isn’t afraid to drench!

    In one of her bedrooms, she went with the interesting neutral of Magnolia Summer Hay:

    Swatch of Magnolia Summer Hay over a background of that color drenching walls, trim, and a door in a bedroom with small framed pictures on the wall.
    Photo credit: @littllattihouse

    This is one of those colors that you can study for a while and not really know what it is! I suppose you could say green-beige.

    Magnolia Summer Hay drenching walls, trim, and ceiling in a bedroom with an overstuffed bed.
    Photo credit: @littllattihouse

    Get the look by using Sherwin Williams Acanthus, or Benjamin Moore Harbor Town.

    Magnolia Summer Hay in a bedroom with Harbor Town, Summer Hay, and Acanthus swatched over top.
    Photo credit: @littllattihouse

    The Best of Color Drenched Kitchens

    Color drenching isn’t nearly as popular in kitchens as it is in small contained rooms, but it can still be done successfully! While some of these examples may be more of a shower than a drench, they still give the spirit of the trend!

    Sherwin Williams Dockside Blue

    Heading back over to ML Designs, we see what might be the most photogenic kitchen of all time:

    Swatch of SW Dockside Blue over a photo of that color on cabinets and trim with a floral backsplash
    Photo credit: @mldesignskc

    In this space they chose Sherwin Williams Dockside Blue and used it on all of the cabinets as well as the trim. They carried the color through the backsplash by using a bold floral print that matches gloriously.

    Close up of SW Dockside Blue on kitchen cabinets.
    Photo credit: @mldesignskc

    While the ceiling here wasn’t actually painted to match, it definitely would have worked.

    Sherwin Williams Thunderous

    Revisiting Maria now, we get to peek into her own home, and see the beautiful gray green of Sherwin Williams Thunderous drenching her kitchen.

    Sherwin Williams Thunderous color drenching cabinets, walls and trim in a kitchen.
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @photosbyarianne.portrait

    Thunderous is quite a dark color, so it is a choice better left to spaces with good light, but boy oh boy does it make a statement!

    Thunderous on kitchen cabinets, walls, and trim with wood floors.
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @photosbyarianne.portrait

    Again in this particular case the color wasn’t brought to the ceiling, but it could have been, and it still would have looked spectacular.

    Cover Story Paint Volter

    Leave it to Maria to choose the colors you’ve never heard of! This next kitchen is truly drenched, and in the very niche brown of Volter by (I believe?) a Finnish brand, called Cover Story Paint.

    Volter by Color Story Paint drenching the walls, ceiling, and trim in a kitchen.
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @nikistrbian

    This shade is very warm and cozy! I can see making soup on a cold day in this kitchen. To be perfectly honest, I probably would have thought this color was hideous from the swatch, but the room sold me the dream!

    Swatch of cover Story paint Volter on walls and ceiling in a kitchen
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @nikistrbian
    Volter color drenching walls and ceiling in a kitchen
    Design: @marialovesrealestate Photo: @nikistrbian

    I didn’t know a thing about them, but I really like Cover Story’s whole ethos:

    Unfortunately for us, they only ship within Europe, so I do still have to tell you how to get the look another way.

    Alternatives to Volter, Sherwin Williams Umber Rust and Benjamin Moore Hidden Valley, all swatched over a background of Volter in a kitchen.

    Try the shade Umber Rust from Sherwin Williams, or Hidden Valley by Benjamin Moore, to get the same vibe as Volter.

    Color Drenching with Wallpaper

    An adjacent trend to color drenching (if we can’t quite call it the same thing), is color drenching featuring wallpaper. This is where the walls, trim, and ceilings are all painted the same color, but parts of the wall – or a feature wall – are decorated in a coordinating wallpaper.

    Behr Heritage Park

    Remember how I mentioned a bedroom by Xin? This is her color drenched and wallpapered dreamland, featuring the Behr color Heritage Park.

    Heritage Park on walls, doors, and trim.
    Photo credit: @athomewithxin

    I just love how this color looks! This sage green is a little more saturated than most, which gives it a bit more oomph.

    Heritage Park swatched over a photo of that sage green drenching a bedroom with Christmas decor on the walls.
    Photo Credit: @athomewithxin

    The walls, trim, and ceilings being drenched in this color feels…expensive, and oh-so fahncy!

    Behr Heritage Park drenching a bedroom with an arched gold mirror resting on the way, reflecting a white alcove
    Photo Credit: @athomewithxin

    Sherwin Williams Naval

    In this powder room, friend of the blog Piper (@piper_thebuildingblonde) used the saturated navy of Sherwin Williams Naval to drench most of the room:

    Naval wall and navy blue wallpaper with gold dotted wave pattern in a bathroom with gold pendant lamps
    Photo Credit: @piper_thebuildingblonde

    You can see in the mirror that the color goes all the way up and includes the ceiling. For the vanity wall, Piper chose a coordinating wallpaper that brings a fun pattern and the illusion of texture into the space.

    Naval swatched over a powder room painted in the same color.
    Photo Credit: @verygoodpaintingllc

    Just for fun, I have another navy blue space to show you, that is very compact indeed!

    ML Designs redid this elevator in a fun but timeless navy and floral color scheme.

    Navy blue walls and ceiling in an elevator with floral panels inset into wainscoting.
    Photo credit: @mldesignskc

    The room is drenched, but the panels bring a little extra fun! (I believe the color here is Hale Navy again.)

    All of the Best Colors for Drenching Your Space

    Here is another look at all of the main colors we covered here:

    graphic reads "color Drenching" with all of the main colors from the article swatched over an office drenched in Benjamin Moore Hale Navy.
    Background photo: @mldesignskc

    Thank you so much for reading until the end! That really helps my site. I hope you found a color that sparks your creativity. The second best thing about color drenching, is that you don’t need to worry about coordinating colors at all!

    Want to see more ideas? Check these out:

    Graphic reads "Black Ceilings Slay or Nay" over a background of a Victorian living room with salmon colored walls
    Black Sign reads "White walls and accessible beige trim" over a photo of Pure White Walls with Accessible Beige on the trim and door to one side
    12 dark academia colors over a background of a dark cathedral