If you’ve spent any time scrolling through interiors inspiration lately, you’ve probably come across the term colour drenching. It’s one of the most striking and immersive design trends gaining popularity right now – but it doesn’t have to mean loud, modern spaces. In fact, colour drenching can work beautifully in traditional, layered, and comforting homes too.
So what exactly is colour drenching – and how can it work alongside classic wallpaper?
What is Colour Drenching?
Colour drenching involves painting walls, woodwork, ceilings, and even radiators in a single colour or tonal variations of it. The idea is to fully surround the space in colour, creating a cocooning, all-encompassing atmosphere. It can make a space feel bold and dramatic – or soft and serene, depending on your palette.
It’s a technique that works equally well in cosy cloakrooms and large drawing rooms, and it’s more versatile than you might think.
Where Wallpaper Comes In
If you love the idea of colour drenching but want to add even more interest, warmth, or story to your space, wallpaper is the perfect complement. Used thoughtfully, wallpaper can either become part of the drenched palette – or the feature that gently breaks it up.
Here are a few ways to pair wallpaper with the colour drenching trend:
1. Drench the Room in a Colour Found in Your Wallpaper
Choosing one of the secondary shades in your wallpaper as your wall colour is a lovely way to create cohesion. For example, if you’re using a design like my Woodland Dreams wallpaper in blush pink (see top image), you could drench the room in one of the warm pink found in the outlines or the foliage. It makes the space feel considered and connected without being too matchy-matchy.
3. Wallpaper One Room, Then Drench the Next in a Coordinating Colour
If you’re decorating multiple rooms, use wallpaper in one space and choose a coordinating paint colour to drench an adjoining room. This creates a beautiful flow – especially if you stick to similar tones. For instance, a blue Matilda Trailing Leaves hallway could lead into a colour-drenched bedroom in a dusky blue.
A Timeless Way to Embrace a Trend
Although colour drenching is having a ‘moment’, its roots go back centuries – think historic homes where ceilings, walls, and woodwork were often painted in a single, rich tone. When done with care, it can feel timeless and soulful.
When paired with hand-drawn wallpaper designs rooted in nature, story, and tradition, colour drenching takes on a whole new dimension. It becomes less about making a bold statement and more about crafting a space that feels calm, enveloping, and uniquely yours.
Final Thoughts
If you’re drawn to colour drenching but unsure where to start, consider beginning with a favourite wallpaper. Let it guide your colour choices – and then build the room around it. With the right palette and pattern, you can create a space that feels both contemporary and timeless.
Would you like help choosing a wallpaper and coordinating paint colour for your home? I’m always happy to guide you – just send me a message or order a sample to get started.